Kyle Franklin & Crew Info

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Kyle Franklin
"Stunt Pilot"

Kyle Franklin (28), is one of the youngest airshow professionals in the airshow industry. He is the only son of legendary airshow pilot Jimmy Franklin. Kyle has been performing in airshows for over 10 years has been around aviation his entire life. He experienced his first airplane ride when he was just 4 weeks old! Kyle grew up living with his family in an apartment built inside an airplane hangar. In addition to becoming his favorite playground, the hanger became a means for Kyle to spend quality time with his father by helping him work on the Wacos, Super Cubs, and his Aerostar and because of this, Kyle is now a licensed A&P mechanic.

Kyle's Father taught him how to fly when he was 8 and later taught him aerobatics in the Super Cub. Kyle is now an accomplished pilot of over 19 years, is not new to what some people would call dare-devilish feats. As a toddler, he learned to ride a tricycle on just 2 wheels! A few of years later, Kyle graduated to BMX free-styling and air-walking and then mastered motorcycles. At the age of 8, Kyle fell in love with DeLorean cars. As a sophomore in high school, he had bought a DeLorean of his own and modified it with a bigger engine, flame thrower, oil slick, and smoke system (only to work it into the airshow line-up of course).

Like his father, began flying at very young age. As a preschooler, he seized every opportunity to wing-walk on Dad's WACO "Mystery Ship" as it taxied about on the ground at airshows. At age 14 Kyle went for his first flying wing-walk on the Waco "Mystery Ship" and by the time he was 17, he was wing-walking professionally at airshows around the country as the world's youngest Wingwalker. He and Jimmy also made up the ONLY father/son wing-walking team in history! In 1999, his father debuted the new Jet Waco. Naturally, Kyle didn't hesitate at the opportunity to climb through the flying wires of this beast! At this point, Kyle became the world's first Jet Wingwalker. In addition, Kyle is the ONLY other person who ever piloted Jimmy's Jet WACO!

Wing-walking was only one of Kyle's many aerial talents. He performed the daring motorcycle-to-airplane transfer for over 5 years. Kyle now performs as the pilot in which the transferer jumps from the back of a moving motorcycle onto a rope ladder hanging from the bottom of Kyle's Super Cub.

Kyle also flies one of the wildest Comedy acts you'll ever see; so wild he has steel skid plates taped to the wingtips so when he intentionally drags the wings on the ground it doesn't hurt them.

In the Summer of 2003, Kyle began performing in his Father's one of a kind Waco "Mystery Ship." This is one of the few big bi-plane aerobatic acts you will find on the airshow circuit today. Besides a full complement of loops, rolls, Cuban 8's and hammer heads, Kyle is one of a handful of pilots that will actually torque roll, tail slide3, and even lomcevak tumble his massive Waco bi-plane. This act has it all: noise, smoke, speed, looks, nostalgia and low-flying aerobatics.

Today, Kyle has retired from wingwalking, and focuses fully on his flying. Airshows are Kyle's full-time job, performing 4 different acts with the Super Cub and Waco "Mystery Ship" at airshows all across the country with his loving Wife and "Manager" Amanda.

Kyle married Amanda Younkin, daughter of world renown airshow pilot Bobby Younkin in 2005. Amanda, a pilot as well, also grew up around airplanes and airshows. Amanda now manages Franklin's Flying Circus and Younkin Airshows. Kyle says, "Amanda is the key to my continuing as an airshow pilot. I couldn't make it without her!"

Amanda Younkin-Franklin
"Manager"
Amanda Franklin, Kyle's wife and daughter of Bobby Younkin, is the brains behind the Franklin's Flying Circus and Younkin Airshows. Serving as Manager for both companies, she takes care of all airshow bookings and sponsorships, among other things. As with both Franklin's and Younkin's, she grew up aroundairplanes and airshows. Working for her father fromthe time she was 14, she knows all the ins and outs of airshows and the business. Amanda was taught to fly by herfather and is a licensed pilot in both the Super Decathlon and the Super Cub. She hopes to start flying airshows herselfin the near future, but for now she has the full time job of trying to keep Kyle and Matt out of trouble.

Kyle and Amanda started dating in May 2004 at an airshow at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. On October 18, 2005 Amanda (Younkin) and Kyle Franklin were married at Kyle's Mother's home in beautiful Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Jackson
"Our Child and Mascot"
Jackson is a full blooded Golden Retriever, born on Halloween of 2000. Amanda has raised him from the time he was 7 weeks old. Jackson is a pilot as well, he has flown in everything from a Cub to a Lear Jet. He travels across the country with the Franklin's. "We don't think of him as a dog, he's more of our child" says Kyle.
The picture on the left was taken on Halloween 2006, his 6th birthday.

Andy Roso
"Stuntman"
Andy Roso (age 27) was born and raised in Springdale Arkansas. Having grown up with Matt Younkin, it was only natural that he was selected as the families' transfer man. Andy is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and weighs in at 115lbs. soaking wet! However he is solid muscle from head to tow and can lift and carry more than twice his body weight. With the strengh of a bull, and the aerodynamic figure of a ballet dancer, he is the ideal stunt man and wing walker for Franklin's Flying Circus. His first ride in a small airplane was the same day he first swung benneth it on a rope ladder. When asked about his thoughts on the extreme stunt work he has performed, he entusiasticly states, "I love it! It's the greatest honor and thrill in the world!" Since he loves to travel, Andy usually books his airline flights to and from shows with several connections, so he can experience all of the major airports. Having worked as an Auto Detailing technician, and Machinest, Andy's current full time job is a Machine operator and processing tech for a major Iowa based company.

Andy married his high school sweetheart Renee in 2002, and the two of them reside in Iowa City, IA. When he is not performing death defying stunts or running machinary, Andy enjoys hunting, fishing, shooting, and building model airplanes. He someday aspires to obtain his pilots license. When asked if he enjoys long walks on the beach and beautiful sunsets, he calmly replied, "Since I'm happily married, I preffer short walks from the truck to the fishing hole."

Ryan Leach
"Stuntman"
Ryan Leach, age 25, is one of Kyle's best friends from high school and Best Man in his wedding. Ryan is not a pilot; in fact he hates flying unless it's from a rope ladder hanging 15 feet from the plane. He had never even been up in a plane till he met Kyle.

Although trained by Kyle to do the motorcycle-to-airplane transfer, Ryan has developed his own unique style in performing his stunts.

When Ryan is not performing at airshows, he is an automotive mechanic, ASE certified in brakes, electrical, parts, engine performance, and air conditioning. He is IMACA certified as well.
Ryan is also an experienced welder in mig, arc, and oxy.

HOME / What's New / About Us / Our Acts / Machines / Crew / History / Multimedia FFC Store / Sponsors / Coming Soon / Memorial / Press Kit Contact Us

Kyle Franklin "Stunt Pilot" Kyle Franklin (28), is one of the youngest airshow professionals in the airshow industry. He is the only son of legendary airshow pilot Jimmy Franklin. Kyle has been performing in airshows for over 10 years has been around aviation his entire life. He experienced his first airplane ride when he was just 4 weeks old! Kyle grew up living with his family in an apartment built inside an airplane hangar. In addition to becoming his favorite playground, the hanger became a means for Kyle to spend quality time with his father by helping him work on the Wacos, Super Cubs, and his Aerostar and because of this, Kyle is now a licensed A&P mechanic. Kyle's Father taught him how to fly when he was 8 and later taught him aerobatics in the Super Cub. Kyle is now an accomplished pilot of over 19 years, is not new to what some people would call dare-devilish feats. As a toddler, he learned to ride a tricycle on just 2 wheels! A few of years later, Kyle graduated to BMX free-styling and air-walking and then mastered motorcycles. At the age of 8, Kyle fell in love with DeLorean cars. As a sophomore in high school, he had bought a DeLorean of his own and modified it with a bigger engine, flame thrower, oil slick, and smoke system (only to work it into the airshow line-up of course). Like his father, began flying at very young age. As a preschooler, he seized every opportunity to wing-walk on Dad's WACO "Mystery Ship" as it taxied about on the ground at airshows. At age 14 Kyle went for his first flying wing-walk on the Waco "Mystery Ship" and by the time he was 17, he was wing-walking professionally at airshows around the country as the world's youngest Wingwalker. He and Jimmy also made up the ONLY father/son wing-walking team in history! In 1999, his father debuted the new Jet Waco. Naturally, Kyle didn't hesitate at the opportunity to climb through the flying wires of this beast! At this point, Kyle became the world's first Jet Wingwalker. In addition, Kyle is the ONLY other person who ever piloted Jimmy's Jet WACO! Wing-walking was only one of Kyle's many aerial talents. He performed the daring motorcycle-to-airplane transfer for over 5 years. Kyle now performs as the pilot in which the transferer jumps from the back of a moving motorcycle onto a rope ladder hanging from the bottom of Kyle's Super Cub. Kyle also flies one of the wildest Comedy acts you'll ever see; so wild he has steel skid plates taped to the wingtips so when he intentionally drags the wings on the ground it doesn't hurt them. In the Summer of 2003, Kyle began performing in his Father's one of a kind Waco "Mystery Ship." This is one of the few big bi-plane aerobatic acts you will find on the airshow circuit today. Besides a full complement of loops, rolls, Cuban 8's and hammer heads, Kyle is one of a handful of pilots that will actually torque roll, tail slide3, and even lomcevak tumble his massive Waco bi-plane. This act has it all: noise, smoke, speed, looks, nostalgia and low-flying aerobatics. Today, Kyle has retired from wingwalking, and focuses fully on his flying. Airshows are Kyle's full-time job, performing 4 different acts with the Super Cub and Waco "Mystery Ship" at airshows all across the country with his loving Wife and "Manager" Amanda. Kyle married Amanda Younkin, daughter of world renown airshow pilot Bobby Younkin in 2005. Amanda, a pilot as well, also grew up around airplanes and airshows. Amanda now manages Franklin's Flying Circus and Younkin Airshows. Kyle says, "Amanda is the key to my continuing as an airshow pilot. I couldn't make it without her!"
Amanda Younkin-Franklin "Manager" Amanda Franklin, Kyle's wife and daughter of Bobby Younkin, is the brains behind the Franklin's Flying Circus and Younkin Airshows. Serving as Manager for both companies, she takes care of all airshow bookings and sponsorships, among other things. As with both Franklin's and Younkin's, she grew up aroundairplanes and airshows. Working for her father fromthe time she was 14, she knows all the ins and outs of airshows and the business. Amanda was taught to fly by herfather and is a licensed pilot in both the Super Decathlon and the Super Cub. She hopes to start flying airshows herselfin the near future, but for now she has the full time job of trying to keep Kyle and Matt out of trouble.	Kyle and Amanda started dating in May 2004 at an airshow at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. On October 18, 2005 Amanda (Younkin) and Kyle Franklin were married at Kyle's Mother's home in beautiful Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Jackson "Our Child and Mascot" Jackson is a full blooded Golden Retriever, born on Halloween of 2000. Amanda has raised him from the time he was 7 weeks old. Jackson is a pilot as well, he has flown in everything from a Cub to a Lear Jet. He travels across the country with the Franklin's. "We don't think of him as a dog, he's more of our child" says Kyle. The picture on the left was taken on Halloween 2006, his 6th birthday.
Andy Roso "Stuntman" Andy Roso (age 27) was born and raised in Springdale Arkansas. Having grown up with Matt Younkin, it was only natural that he was selected as the families' transfer man. Andy is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and weighs in at 115lbs. soaking wet! However he is solid muscle from head to tow and can lift and carry more than twice his body weight. With the strengh of a bull, and the aerodynamic figure of a ballet dancer, he is the ideal stunt man and wing walker for Franklin's Flying Circus. His first ride in a small airplane was the same day he first swung benneth it on a rope ladder. When asked about his thoughts on the extreme stunt work he has performed, he entusiasticly states, "I love it! It's the greatest honor and thrill in the world!" Since he loves to travel, Andy usually books his airline flights to and from shows with several connections, so he can experience all of the major airports. Having worked as an Auto Detailing technician, and Machinest, Andy's current full time job is a Machine operator and processing tech for a major Iowa based company. Andy married his high school sweetheart Renee in 2002, and the two of them reside in Iowa City, IA. When he is not performing death defying stunts or running machinary, Andy enjoys hunting, fishing, shooting, and building model airplanes. He someday aspires to obtain his pilots license. When asked if he enjoys long walks on the beach and beautiful sunsets, he calmly replied, "Since I'm happily married, I preffer short walks from the truck to the fishing hole."
Ryan Leach "Stuntman" Ryan Leach, age 25, is one of Kyle's best friends from high school and Best Man in his wedding. Ryan is not a pilot; in fact he hates flying unless it's from a rope ladder hanging 15 feet from the plane. He had never even been up in a plane till he met Kyle. Although trained by Kyle to do the motorcycle-to-airplane transfer, Ryan has developed his own unique style in performing his stunts. When Ryan is not performing at airshows, he is an automotive mechanic, ASE certified in brakes, electrical, parts, engine performance, and air conditioning. He is IMACA certified as well. Ryan is also an experienced welder in mig, arc, and oxy.