Balclutha had an aviation group by 1929, just 23 years after the Wright brothers’ first flight.
Sparkling weather heralded pilots and passengers from clubs and airfields across the lower South Island, with enough breeze to make the spot-landing contest interesting, before a luxury barbecue at the club’s 1950s hangar.
"There’s nothing like the view from above to change perspective," Ranfurly farmer-aviator Bruce Crutchley said.
"It’s handy for a look around the farm and after you’ve had some weather, but mainly your mind’s on flying and you forget your other cares... That’s freedom."
Other aviators, from hobbyists to professional top-dressers, spoke about the camaraderie and edification of events like Balclutha’s fly-in.
"Every flight’ll be different weather over different terrain or a different aircraft, so you’re experiencing new things and learning," Trevor Alexander, of Riverton, said.
"New Zealand has a good reputation for pilots because of the diversity of terrain we have to fly over."
Among familiar Cessnas and Tiger Moths were standouts including a 1960s Nangchang Chinese military trainer, and a Vietnam-era Cessna Bird-Dog spotter plane.
The spot-landing contest for most accurate touchdown went to Queenstown’s Carlton Campbell in his Citabria.
"Between the weather, turnout and variety, we couldn’t have asked for better," key organiser, 25-year-old Balclutha-born, Christchurch-based aviatrix Paige Win said.
"A huge thanks to everybody who came, especially the older members who are helping me compile our club’s history with photos and stories."
