By BRIAN PAPKE
For years, building an airplane found its home in airport hangars or someone’s garage.
In the modern era, the initial bite of the homebuilding bug often happens online — watching videos and reading social media posts.
That’s what happened in Texas with the TexZens, a Facebook group dedicated to the owners, builders, and enthusiasts of Zenith homebuilt aircraft. The TexZens recently took the next big step and held its first fly-in at the historic Ranger Airfield (F23). It was a perfect blend of modern light sport experimental aircraft at one of the oldest, most historic grass strips in Texas.
Upon its founding in October 2025, the intent of the Facebook page was to connect the numerous Zenith builders scattered across the Lone Star State. However, the group quickly grew into a tight-knit group of personalities. Many of the posts are made to show off a member’s homebuilt steeds (or the progress of the build), but just as many are posts by members looking for advice. One post is all it takes, and followers are quick to assist with technical advice and opinions.
Hank and Bridget Morgan, the group’s creators, have already built a CH750 Cruzer and are finishing up a CH701, with another CH750 in the shed waiting its turn.
According to Hank, the desire to have a fly-in has been brewing for a long time. It became reality June 13, 2026, at Ranger Airfield with the TexZens Throwdown 2026.
Established in 1928, Ranger boasts a beautifully maintained, 3,400-foot turf runway that has hosted aviation legends such as Amelia Earhart. It is also home to its own yearly fly-in, which attracts dozens of aircraft of all types. Some have even gone so far as to call the event a mini-Oshkosh. It is an airport that breathes aviation history, making it the perfect poetic backdrop for a flock of homebuilt aircraft representing modern grassroots aviation.
At 9 a.m. on the day of the fly-in, the distinctive hum of a light-sport powerplants began to echo over Ranger Field from every corner of the state. And it wasn’t just Zenith aircraft. Others also joined in the fun.
The event featured a Texas lunch with brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, music, and pilot competitions.
First among the competitions was a barrel racing contest, similar to what you would see at a rodeo, except this was with taxiing Zenith aircraft around cones outlined with a flour circle. Aircraft were timed, and if the tires penetrated the circle, time was deducted from the score.
Next was the Team Roping Tie-Down contest. It sounds about as simple as it is. The aircraft taxis, then stops at a line, and the pilot shuts the engine off. Then a team ties down pre-coiled ropes as quickly as possible, while following certain safety rules regarding being clear of the aircraft until it is fully shut down.
Once the aircraft is tied down and hands raised, the timer stops, and the judges take over. Tugging on the rope, the judge determines if a knot was poor or it comes undone. If it does, it fails.
Last was a “3 Wire” competition where the Zeniths showed off their legendary short-field capabilities on Ranger’s smooth turf. The goal was to perform a smooth, controlled takeoff and landing, aiming for a specific target zone marked by cones.
Target zones of red, yellow, and green were used to simplify judging. Takeoffs and landings were each awarded up to five points, with another five points depending on the colored zone the main gear touched down.
After lunch, a tour of the flight line was in order. There was everything from a pristine, professionally painted aircraft parked next to a utilitarian work horse, parked next to an unpainted freshly built bird with that new plane smell. Throw in a couple of wild and fun paint jobs and you get a full picture of what makes the TexZen community so unique.
While the kits are nearly identical coming from Sebastien Heintz’s factory in Mexico, Missouri, the final products are often customized expressions of their builders’ personalities. This is particularly true when it comes to some of the names the owners give their aircraft, such as Ghost, Jumbo, and Lazer Chicken. Added to the Zenith mix were a couple of Cessnas, a Cub, an RV, a Piper, and even a sporty Bell 430.
As the event wrapped up at F23, awards and raffle prizes were handed out, and the consensus among the TexZens was unanimous: This wouldn’t be a one-time affair. Discussions are already taking place on how to make the next one even better.
For more information: ZenithAir.net, Facebook.com
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