Kyle Franklin
"Stunt Pilot, Wingwalker & Stuntman"
      Kyle Franklin is a man of many talents and a master of the Airshow trade. As a third generation pilot, and second generation airshow performer, he comes from a rich heritage of ingenuity and flying skill. Kyle learned to fly at age eight from his father and legendary airshow pilot Jimmy Franklin. At age 14, he took ride on the outside of an airplane and by age 17, Kyle was wingwalking professionally.
As his career progressed, Kyle became the stunt man for the world's only motorcycle to airplane transfer, began wingwalking on the infamous Jet Waco, and also pursued his low level aerobatic waiver. He started performing solo aerobatic demonstrations in the Waco "Mystery Ship," Jet Waco, and debuted his famous "Ben Whabnaski Comedy Act" in the same Super Cub that he learned to fly many years before.
Following the untimely death of his father in 2005, Kyle married the love of his life, Amanda Younkin and reinvented his airshow career yet again. He transitioned to the cockpit full time, perfecting his already famous comedy act andbrought in new players to continue the motorcycle to airplane transfer. In 2009, Kyle and Amanda put a new and very original spin on airshow wingwalking called "Pirated Skies." Complete with a supernatural story line and original soundtrack, "Capitan Kyro" (aka Kyle Franklin) manned the helm of the Waco "Mystery Ship," while his wench and wingwalker "Scandalous Scarlet" (aka Amanda Younkin Franklin) patrolled the mast and crow's nest of the infamous vessel scouting for threats from above and below. Their performances gained notoriety from spectators, pilots, and fellow performers the world over.
In early 2011, Kyle and Amanda experienced a loss of power during a performance and injuries from the resulting accident cost Amanda her life. Kyle now finds himself back to the basics. With new airplanes, acts, and ideas on the horizon, rest assured that Kyle Franklin retains and will once again reinvent his status as one of the airshow industry's leading professionals. As a man of many hats, costumes, and original acts attempting to be copied, Kyle Franklin continues to promote a rich heritage of airshow entertainment that is second to none.


Rocky & Rambo
"Our Childern and Mascots"
Rambo (left) is a full blooded Golden Retriever, born October 27, 2010 and has been with Kyle sense he was seven weeks old. Rocky (right) is a Blue Heeler and Pitbull mix who was rescued from the pound in 2008 by Amanda. Both are pilots, they fly and travel across the country with Kyle everywhere he goes.
"I don't think of them as a dogs, they are my children" says Kyle.

Matt Younkin
"Stunt Pilot"
 (Younkin Airshows)


Matt Younkin, is normally the motorcycle driver for the transfer act when he's there with one of his many amazing acts.

Matt Younkin is a third generation pilot. He is the son of legendary airshow pilot Bobby Younkin, who is famous for his amazing aerobatic displays in the AT-6, Beech 18, Learjet 23, Samson, and most recently, the Super Decathlon. Bobby is considered to be one of the greatest airshow pilots of all time.

Matt is also the grandson of Jim Younkin who is well-known for designing the Century and Trutrak autopilots. Jim is also famous for his antique aircraft restorations, as well as building beautiful replicas of the 1930’s air racers such as the Howard “Mr. Mulligan” and the Travel Air “Mystery Ship.”

Matt learned to fly at the age of 14 from family friend Ken Collier in a Piper J-3 Cub. At age 15, Chuck Irvin, the same instructor who taught Bobby how to fly, refined Matt’s piloting skills. On his sixteenth birthday, Matt soloed his grandfather’s 1928 Travel Air 4000 biplane.

Matt is now proficient in over 50 types of airplanes ranging from the Piper Cub to the North American B-25. He is also a fully rated flight instructor and now has almost 3000 hours of total flying time and currently resides in Siloam Springs, AR with his loving wife Michelle and their daughter Kimberly.

Matt is also an accomplished radio-controlled model airplane pilot. Like his father before him, Matt learned most of his aerobatic skills by flying R/C models and later refined them in the Super Decathlon.

Bobby gave Matt two hours of aerobatic instruction which focused mainly on slow rolls. Bobby said, “Almost every aerobatic maneuver is based on a slow roll. If you can master the slow roll, you can master anything.”

When Matt took the Decathlon out to perfect his slow rolls, he soon discovered that he could perform every maneuver that Bobby performed in the airplane, plus a few new ones of his own.

Matt’s latest and greatest achievement is perfecting the world’s only night aerobatic display in the Beech 18. Equipped with 17 spotlights and 13 strobes, the top airplane appears to glow in the dark while the bottom side twinkles violently. Combined with smoke, noise, choreography, and an incredible musical score, the Twin Beech Night Spectacular is quickly becoming one of the most sought after acts in the airshow arena.

Matt is also performing the daytime aerobatic display in the Beech 18 that his father Bobby perfected so many years ago. By lacking the intensity night show, this display has been described by many as “the most graceful and beautiful performance the airshow industry has to offer.”

Matt’s other airshow mounts include a Super Decathlon and the only flying example of a 1929 Travel Air “Mystery Ship.”

Bobby always said, “An airshow act must be unique and original to be successful. People come to airshows to see the impossible take place.” Matt is keeping with the Younkin Airshows tradition by performing unique aerobatics in precision aircraft and precision aerobatics in unique aircraft.

Matt is also a certified flight instructor equipped with CFI, CFII, and MEI certificates. He is currently working for Summit Aviation in Bentonville, AR. Matt specializes in tail wheel training, upset recovery/ spin training, and basic aerobatics. Anyone interested in flying with Matt can email him at younkinair@aol.com or checkout summitaviationllc.com.

For more information on Matt Younkin and Younkin Airshows please visit his website at www.younkinair.com
               Twin Beech from DAY to NIGHT

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