Just purchased iPad air......where are the free apps I'm supposed to have pre-loaded?

What apps appear to be missing?

Which ones? If you mean Pages, Numbers, Keynote etc... Those are not pre-loaded. They are just free from the App Store when you purchase and activate a new device. But you still have to manually download them.

If you mean other pre-loaded Apps, tell us which ones.

How to get all the iWork apps, iPhoto, and iMovie for free on an eligible iPhone or iPad

http://www.imore.com/how-get-all-iwork-apps-iphoto-and-imovie-free-eligible-ipho ne-or-ipad

About Free Apple Apps for iOS 7 compatible devices

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5913

 Cheers, Tom 😉