The Nelspruit airshow traditionally enjoyed the status as one of the premier events on the Southern Africa airshow scene. 2003 saw the last airshow at Nelspruit but during 2007 the organisers set itself the goal of claiming back their lost status as a premier event. Early on the Saturday morning the organisers clearly went the extra mile with a well organised and laid out area with trade stalls, static aircraft, chopper area, various food halls, movement area all in separate demarcated areas. Even broadcast equipment strategically placed around the field and not only on the crowd line in order to enable everyone to follow the action. Those with a passion for rugby were accommodated, as both teams to feature in the Super 14 final later in the day were from South Africa – various big screens featured throughout the area.

Around an hour’s drive from Bloemfontein is Bultfontein in a typical agriculture setting. In recent years it became known for a very popular fly-inn organised by Piet Vermaak and his team. Pilots on the descent had to plan their approaches carefully as all visiting aircraft was an instant contender in the spot landing competition with some great prizes. The landing completed on the grass strip, one taxies to an escort point where a four wheeler with a “Follow Me” day-glo flag takes you to your parking spot. All aircraft are evenly spaced along demarcated white lines. Yes everything is organised to the letter. Yet upon exiting the aircraft, pilots were met with a typical crispy Free State morning which made the hearty breakfast in the Wesbank sponsored marquee tent an excellent prospect.