Wingtips Fall 2025

Topic	Deadlines	Who to Contact
CIP/LOI	Due between September 1st and December 31st of anticipated development year. (LOIs received after December 31st will be held until the following September.)	Your Planner
RAMP	January 31st, 2026: ramp grants must be executed for FY25 ramp projects. May 31st, 2026: ramp reimbursement requests must be submitted in eGrants. If ramp funds have not been expended by May 31st, 2026 and you have executed contracts or pos for eligible work between June 1st, 2026 to August 31st, 2026, please contact the ramp manager to discuss	RAMP Manager
	May 1st, 2026: CRRSSA reimbursement requests must be submitted in eGrants.	Grant Management Team
	July 1st, 2026: ARPA reimbursement requests must be submitted in eGrants.	Grant Management Team
IIJA	May 1st, 2026: IIJA funds for 2023 must be negotiated or bid or the funding will be swept.	Your Planner

 

Have a project, event or standout photo from your airport you’d like to share? Wingtips is now accepting submissions for upcoming issues?

We’re looking for high-quality photos, project milestones, community events, or anything else that showcases the people and progress behind Texas aviation.

Send submissions to [email protected] to be considered for publication.

Thank you for being a part of Wingtips — and for helping us celebrate the work happening at airports across Texas.

From small-town airfields to major city hubs, aviation museums across Texas are keeping the state’s flying legacy alive. In our Spring 2025 edition of Wingtips, we highlighted four museums — the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Frontiers of Flight Museum, Lone Star Flight Museum and Texas Air Museum — each offering a unique window into the history and future of flight. But they represent just a portion of the rich aviation story being told across the state.

In every corner of Texas, museums — both large and small — are working to preserve local history, honor aviation pioneers and spark curiosity in the next generation. Some are home to rare aircraft and extensive exhibits. Others focus on the stories of individual pilots or hometown contributions to global milestones. Each adds its own chapter to the state’s aviation narrative.

Supporting these museums — through visits, volunteering or even just spreading the word — helps ensure their continued impact. They connect generations, inspire young minds and preserve stories that might otherwise be lost to time.

So, wherever you are in Texas, consider making your next day trip a journey into aviation history. Explore a new museum. Ask questions. Bring a friend. Because the story of aviation is unfolding across the state, one museum at a time.

A Texas fly-in was recently featured in AeroErmo, a Colombian aviation magazine with international readership. The article below, reprinted with permission, highlights the 19th 84R Annual Fly-In held at Smithville-Crawford Municipal Airport in Central Texas.

The event has continued to grow in reach and reputation, drawing attention from both aviation enthusiasts and photographers across the region. Local officials reflected on the success of this year’s fly-in and what it meant for the community:

“The 19th 84R Annual Fly-In provided the opportunity to showcase the City of Smithville’s municipal airport while giving the community an exciting glimpse into the world of general aviation. Over 1,500 people enjoyed a fun-filled day that included aircraft displays, helicopter rides, great food, a candy drop and camaraderie,” said Robert Tamble, Smithville city manager/airport manager.

“We are grateful for all the attention our airport has received and look forward to next year’s event. As chairman of the annual fly-in, I assure you we will have even more exciting additions next year,” said Sandy Meyerson, airport operations manager.

The below excerpt was written by Javier Vera, originally published in AeroErmo.

In May of this year, the small town of Smithville, located in Central Texas, had the privilege of hosting an engaging aviation event designed for the enjoyment of the entire family.

Although the Smithville-Crawford Municipal Airport (ICAO: 84R) may not hold major significance within Texas, it certainly does for the local community. In addition to being a much-anticipated annual event, entry to the fly-in is free, which encourages more people to attend and become interested in aviation.

Almost a tradition by now, this year marked the 19th edition of the fly-in and featured a variety of interesting aircraft. Notably, it included presentations by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) with their Texan T-6II training aircraft and the U.S. Army, which brought a Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter. Both aircraft landed at the airport and were parked on the public ramp, giving attendees the opportunity to get up close and take photos with them.

This allowed people who don’t usually engage with aviation — and who came out of curiosity — to be surprised and impressed by the variety of aircraft. One example is Tanya Diaz, who said:

“I was really struck by the arrival of the military aircraft. I had never seen Air Force planes like that before, and the pilots explained to me that this model (Texan T-6II) is a training aircraft used to prepare new USAF pilots.”

In total, approximately 76 aircraft arrived at the event, and just over 1,500 people attended and enjoyed the outstanding show. Around midday, there was a special treat for the youngest guests: aboard a Robinson R-44 helicopter, hundreds of candies were dropped for children to collect and enjoy.

Additionally, the event featured craft vendors and food booths offering the local specialty: Texas-style BBQ.

Jack Fleetwood, a well-known pilot who actively participates in aviation events throughout Texas, expressed his positive surprise at this 19th Smithville Fly-In:

“I’ve attended this event many times, but this year was different. The number of volunteers and the effort each one put in took it to a whole new level. Many fly-ins lack the necessary safety measures to ensure everyone’s well-being, but this year I felt that 84R set the standard. I’m looking forward to coming back next year!”

The show’s organizers expressed their gratitude and satisfaction through social media following the conclusion of the Smithville Fly-In 2025, and they are already inviting everyone to attend next year — highlighting it as a great way to enjoy aviation as a family, and always with exciting surprises for all tastes.

To read more from the AeroErmo magazine, visit www.flipsnack.com/aviacionmkt/ aeroermo-revista-ed-52/full-view.html

 

Coulter Airfield has been part of the City of Bryan’s story for more than 80 years. Established in 1938 when the W.J. Coulter family gifted land to the city, the airport has grown alongside the community, connecting travelers to destinations across Texas.

In the past decade, that quiet presence began to make a louder impact. Within seven years, Coulter Airfield’s economic footprint more than doubled, climbing from $5 million to $11.2 million. The growth signaled a new role for the airport: not just a place to land, but a hub for opportunity and commerce.

Recognizing that potential, the Bryan Business Council, an economic development partner of the City of Bryan focused exclusively on growth within the city, decided to invest directly. The council saw the airport’s economic numbers as proof of its broader potential, and they wanted to build on that success by creating a space that could strengthen connections between air travel and business. Their investment led to the Bryan Business Center, a modern facility owned and operated by the council, designed to position Coulter Airfield as a front door to Bryan’s business community.

The Bryan Business Center was designed to make business possible the moment visitors arrive at Coulter Airfield. It features a conference room with presentation technology, privacy curtains for meetings and a camera system that lets businesses see when clients land. Restrooms, a warming station, an ice machine and comfortable seating areas support catered gatherings and give teams a place to regroup between flights.

“The Bryan Business Center gives us the ability to connect aviation directly with business. When a client lands at Coulter, they can step right into a space that’s ready for meetings and collaboration. That’s a big step forward for the airport and for the business community we serve,” said Brandon Reid, airport manager.

The Bryan Business Center is just one part of Coulter Airfield’s broader chapter of growth. Building on the airport’s expanding role in Bryan’s economy, plans are underway for a runway realignment, apron expansion and additional parking for both aircraft and visitors.

With the Bryan Business Center, Coulter Airfield has stepped into a new era. From a donated plot of land to a hub of commerce and community, the airport now opens doors for businesses, travelers and residents alike, supporting Bryan’s growth for years to come.

Originally published in National Business Aviation Association

When Texas-based Operation Airdrop put out a call for volunteers to help those impacted by the catastrophic flooding in Texas, Colton Miller was one of those who answered the call.

Miller, a Texas-based pilot with a large fractional charter company, said he was aware of Operation Airdrop for a while, but this is the first mission he’d been able to take part in, piloting a King Air owned by his friend Andy Smith, and based at McKinney National Airport.

On Monday, July 7, Miller loaded up the King Air with supplies and flew to the Million Air Fixed Base Operator at Addison Airport to add in more donated supplies. He then flew down to Operation Airdrop’s established base at the Commemorative Air Force Museum at Burnet Municipal Airport northeast of Kerrville, Texas, where the supplies were loaded onto a truck and driven directly to those in need.

Miller called the operation a “well-oiled machine” because supplies were quickly loaded, unloaded and trucked to the impacted area. He thanked Million Air for donating fuel and personnel, and the Commemorative Air Force Highland Lakes Squadron for the help with packing and unpacking supplies.

He also acknowledged his friend Smith for stepping up and offering the use of his plane for the mission.

While he couldn’t see the flood damage from the Kerrville airport, Miller said the devastation was visible when flying over Lake Travis, which was littered with foliage and debris from the floods.

Miller, who has been flying professionally since he was 19, said there were a good number of planes coming and going from northern Texas to help flood victims.

“We’re a tight-knit community in the state. We’re all Texans. We’re all friends,” he said. “We’re willing to help anytime. It felt like helping family.”

Operation Airdrop has information on its Facebook page on needed supplies.

Operation Airdrop is part of the National Business Aviation Association’s Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator Database, a list of individuals and organizations in the business aviation community who are part of disaster-response mobilization efforts. In the aftermath of major crises, basic information from the database is provided to organizations coordinating relief efforts.

Wingtips was first developed in 1993 by Dave Fulton, the then director of the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT’s) Aviation Division, as a way to communicate TxDOT’s plans to promote aviation and support its growth across Texas.

Over the years, the magazine has evolved from a simple black-and-blue publication to a full-color magazine, with stories covering a wide range of topics — including safety tips, airport profiles and event highlights.

Now, for the first time, the complete Wingtips archive is available online at https://aviation.tti.tamu.edu/ publications/wingtips/. Readers can explore decades of Texas aviation history and see how the state’s aviation community has grown and changed over time.

As we continue sharing the stories of Texas aviation, we welcome your ideas for future issues. If you have a story suggestion or a topic you’d like to see covered, please contact us at [email protected].

Originally published in Sugar Scoop, the official blog of the City of Sugar Land

A creative new collaboration between the Sugar Land Regional Airport and Kempner High School art students has taken off — literally. The result? A beautifully illustrated children’s book, Sally, Anne, & Beth – Built an Airport. This is a story that celebrates community, storytelling and the history of our regional airport.

Ken Durbin, assistant director of aviation, wrote this story inspired by three women, Sally Sims, Anne Gaines and Elizabeth (Beth) Rosenbaum, whose passion and leadership helped shape the Sugar Land Regional Airport as we know it today. While the characters are fictionalized, their impact is very real.

“I’m so honored and flattered to be included in the history of this great airport,” said Sally Sims, certified pilot, flight instructor and citizen extraordinaire. “My involvement has been one of the high points of my life.”

What makes the book even more special is how it came together. The Sugar Land Regional Airport team wanted a more meaningful way to highlight the airport’s role in the community. Something that would resonate with both children and adults. The idea to collaborate with local students was sparked at a city council meeting where student artists were being recognized. That moment turned into an art contest, and ultimately, into a book.

The illustrations were created by students from Kempner High School, guided by their art teacher, Ray Montes.

“Being part of Sally, Anne, & Beth – Built an Airport was a powerful and inspiring experience for my students,” said Montes. “This gave them the opportunity to connect their creativity with something real, local and impactful.”

Student illustrators Jaylynn Sims (Faunn), Vanessa Ong and Damilola Sadiq were all creating art for publication for the first time — an experience that left a lasting impression.

“It felt rewarding to know that my art was going to be part of something people could actually hold, read and enjoy,” said Damilola Sadiq, a senior at Kempner, who described illustrating a published book as an exciting and meaningful experience.

“We worked incredibly hard on this project, and it’s awesome that we also got to connect with our community,” said Vanessa Ong, a sophomore at Kempner.

Jaylynn Sims (Faunn), a senior at Kempner, shared that working on the book helped her realize how her art could “reach and teach a wider audience of individuals,” and she felt proud knowing her illustrations might “inspire children and even young adults to pursue their passions from the ground up.”

For the airport, this was more than just a creative project — it was a reflection of the airport’s approach to community engagement. “We are about customer service — everyone is our customer: pilots, passengers, citizens, students, each other,” said Durbin. “We choose to take action, even if it’s harder. We didn’t know if the book was possible, but we knew an art contest and collaborating with a school was.”

Elizabeth Rosenbaum, former director of aviation, now assistant city manager, said, “It’s been incredible to witness the hard work and dedication that went into creating this book. I hope it serves as an inspiration to the next generation of aviation professionals.”

What started as a bold idea is now a finished children’s book that celebrates real people, real stories and the power of community. You can read the virtual copy of Sally, Anne, & Beth – Built an Airport here: https://designrr.page/?id=428690&token=3362806993&type=FP&h=5510