June 20, 2026 - by Charles Galles We spent a week in Gulf Shores, Alabama for a family reunion. The weather was epic in all the bad ways. A tropical storm formed in south Texas and moved right through Louisiana and Mississippi. We had several days of rain or threatening clouds and the beaches were closed for 3 days for high wind and dangerous surf conditions. I managed to squeeze in one sightseeing flight along the coast in N121DB.

What a fantastic turnout at this year’s Fall Membership Picnic — it was wonderful to see so many of our members, families, and friends come together to celebrate our shared love of flying and the incredible community we’ve built. This year’s picnic was extra special as we introduced a brand-new tradition : the Spirit of Texins Award , honoring members who go above and beyond in service to the Texins Flying Club. We’re proud to recognize our inaugural recipients : Gary Cooper – for his tireless behind-the-scenes work, leadership in public benefit flying, and constant commitment to making the club better for everyone. Bill Moore – the heart of Texins, whose dedication keeps our fleet safe and our members supported every single day. Each honoree received the Texins Flying Club Challenge Coin , a symbol of the values that make this club so special: community, safety, service, and passion for aviation . A huge thank you to Gary and Bill for everything you do and to everyone who came out to make this year’s picnic one to remember. Check out some of the highlights below and help us congratulate our Spirit of Texins Award winners when you see them! Thanks also to Barb McLeod for cooking the food for us. The weather was threatening but, other than a brief, shower we were able to enjoy a great day at the airport.

Sunrise Departure On a sunny Saturday morning, the Texins Flying Club took off from McKinney (KTKI) to Thaden Field (KVBT) in Bentonville, Arkansas, for our Annual Flyout. Twenty-two members and eight planes were all set for a day of fun, flying and friendship.