“Join us for a festive morning at Tedderfield as we celebrate High Wings and Summer Things - a fly-in for aviation lovers, future Sling owners, and the whole Sling community. Enjoy a free breakfast and beverages, browse the Sling Store merchandise, and soak up the atmosphere with a Sling factory tour. The event is fur co-pilot friendly, and for those wanting to stay over, camping is available on site with deluxe ablutions, a kitchen, bar, braai area, fire pits, and access to all clubhouse facilities.”
That's what the blurb on the invitation promised and I couldn't resist registering. To be honest, I just love visiting the airpark. The people are friendly, the atmosphere always welcoming, the breakfast free and scrumptious, and best of all, it's home to the Sling factory and only about half an hour from where I live.
Tedderfield's transformation from a peach farm into a vibrant airpark was driven by a deep passion for aviation. Full-title ownership is offered for hangars and stands, giving enthusiasts the opportunity not just to store their aircraft but to “own a piece of the sky.” The layout is thoughtfully designed, with direct taxiway access to personal hangars, combining convenience with community.
I left home just after seven in perfect weather, which soon turned gloomy by the time I passed Rand Airport. Leaving Alberton, on the way to the Mall of the South, it started raining hard enough to need the wipers. I almost turned around but being only fifteen minutes away, I pressed on. On arrival, I found quite a few drive-in visitors, along with Andy Lawrence and Peter and Celia Lastrucci, who had flown in from Krugersdorp.
Sling High Wing and Sling TSi demo flights were available during the morning - another reason for my visit. I've flown in the Sling 2 and the TSi before and had registered for a demo in the High Wing, which, to my shame, I hadn't yet flown in. Over the last twenty-odd years, I've been fortunate enough to fly in 157 different aircraft types and in my humble opinion, few can compete with Sling's High Wing. It's simply in a class of its own.
Getting into it is easy, and once seated, you might as well be inside a luxury saloon car. It flies like that too, stable, responsive, and exceptionally comfortable. The sales figures already tell the story: the High Wing is a clear success, and Sling has yet another winner in its stable.
Back at the clubhouse, I was amazed by the number of cars and the long queue of visitors registering for the factory tours. I heard that more than 190 breakfasts were served, quite a testament to the growing enthusiasm around this vibrant community. The clubhouse itself serves as a central hub for social gatherings, meetings, and fly-ins, perfectly reflecting the spirit of aviation camaraderie that defines Tedderfield.
One of Tedderfield's standout advantages is its infrastructure. Two boreholes currently deliver over 750,000 litres of water per month, while a substantial diesel generator ensures a 24/7 power supply - no blackouts, no worries.
If you haven't yet visited Tedderfield, make a note to do so. It's far more than just another airfield - it's an aviation lifestyle.
Tedderfield Camping and Breakfast Fly In 8 Nov 2025 229
