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Franklin's Flying Circus
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Younkin Airshows
Videos by Kyle Franklin - Aera 51 VP
(Special Thanks to Mike Zimmerman for Waco & Beech footage)

-Pilot Biographies-
Highlight the info you need, then RIGHT CLICK, select COPY, then PASTE into your word processor.

   
Kyle Franklin

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!"

 
Matt Younkin

Matt Younkin (26) 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 now has over 2500 hours of total flying time in over 35 different types of airplanes and currently resides in Lowell, AR with his loving wife Michelle.

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.

The Decathlon Matt performs in today is the same airplane that Bobby used to demo at Oshkosh and Sun N Fun. Matt's routine consists of continuous, mostly outside aerobatics, keeping that beautiful red and black aircraft in front of the crowd at all times. The decathlon is by far, the best aerobatic trainer ever built. Most of the pilots performing aerobatics in airshows across the country, including Matt Younkin, spent several hours in a Decathlon refining their skills before moving into their more advanced airplanes.

Matt is also performing in the 1929 Travel Air "Mystery Ship." In addition to being the aircraft that started the Younkin family's traditional red and black paint scheme, the "Mystery Ship" is the airplane that kicked off the "golden age" of air racing. In 1929, the "Mystery Ship" became the first civilian aircraft to win the Cleveland National Air Races. Matt's "Mystery Ship" demonstration puts the nimble racer through its paces with the same beauty and grace that Bobby displayed in the Beech 18 for so many years.

On that same note, Matt is now performing in Bobby's beautiful Beech 18! Matt considers this act to be the most special of the three. Just as it was when Bobby flew it, the act begins and ends with the same light-hearted pink elephant music which plays off an overly obese airplane attempting aerobatics. But as a fitting tribute, Matt also capitalizes on the airplanes beauty and grace by performing a breath-taking aerial ballet to equally beautiful music.

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.

-Franklin Aircraft-
 
-Younkin Aircraft-
     
Waco "Mystery Ship"
.
Origianlly used to train civilians as pilots before America's entry into World War II, the Waco eventually became available for widespread commercial use, such as dusting crops or barnstorming around the nation at early airshows.

Because of all the extensive modifications, this Waco no longer looks like a origial Waco, and was dubbed the
"Waco Mystery Ship."

The "Waco Mystery Ship" is also a movie star! It has appeared "TERMINAL VELOCITY" staring Charlie Sheen, "FOREVER YOUNG" staring Mel Gibson, and Disney's "DELTA DREAM FLIGHT" (Disneyland ride.)

Modifications:

-Replacing the 220 h.p. engine with a 450 h.p. engine-

-Installing a 3 blade propeller-

-Moving the cockpit back 30 inches-

-Adding 18 inches to the landing gear-

-Installing extra cabin struts-

-Constructing extra flying wires-

INFO:

Year:.......................................1940

Type........................................Waco

Model:....................................UPF-7

Manufacturer:.......................WACO Aircraft, Troy, Ohio

Engine:...................................Pratt & Whitney R-985

Wingspan:..............................30 feet

Length:...................................24 feet

Show Weight:.........................2,240 pounds

Fuel Capacity.........................55 Gallons

Maximum Speed:.................220 m.p.h. dive (160 m.p.h. level)

Stalling Speed……..........…60 m.p.h
                    

Stress Levels..................…..+-9 Gs

 
Twin Beech 18
.
The Beech 18 Matt is flying was built in 1943 by Beechcraft Corporation in Wichita, KS. Designated a JRB-2, this particular Beech was purchased new by the US Navy and sent to NAS Corpus Christi, TX, where it served as a navigation trainer through the end of WW2.

Re-designated a C-18S, the aircraft was sold surplus after the war. The airplane was repainted and upholstered and used as a corporate transport through the mid 1970's. After going through several owners, Matt's father Bobby purchased the aircraft and began flying airshows across the US and Canada, performing for millions of people from 1989-2005.

Matt's father Bobby owned and flew a Twin Beech hauling freight and mail since before Matt was born. Matt logged hundreds of hours as a passenger in Twin Beech's all through his childhood but actually got the opportunity to fly one for the first time quite by accident when he was 7 years old. Bobby asked Matt to accompany him on a test flight of his freight Beech after some routine maintenance. Matt, who never turned down an airplane ride, jumped aboard with Bobby and his German Shepherd dog. They took off and after checking all the systems, Bobby put the airplane in a steep climb then pushed over into a steep decent which floated the poor dog asleep in the back to the ceiling of the cargo hold. After the second or third time, the dog relocated into the cockpit and on up into Bobby's lap, bear hugging him around the neck. At that time Matt was instructed to fly the airplane while Bobby, peeled his 130 lb. German Shepherd from around his neck and threw him back where he came from.

 
Super Cub "Franklinstein"
.
 For the most part this is a stock PA-18A Super Cub. The plane has been lightened about 25 pounds and the engine has gone from 150hp to 181hp. The engine is still the original O-320 but with higher compression pistons, a Leading Edge Exhaust System which added another 13hp by itself, and few other small modifications. The engine now has 181hp.

The Super Cub has been a longtime favorite of Franklin’s Flying Circus. This is the fifth Super Cub FFC has owned over the years. Built in 1956, it was bought in 1993 by FFC for airshowing and training purposes. The Super Cub and J-3 Cub have been essential aircraft in many FFC acts including the first motorcycle-to-airplane transfer, truck-to-airplane transfers, comedies, duel comedies, and the flaming fire-wall crash. This Cub is also the same airplane Kyle soloed in.


-Type..........................Super Cub

-Model........................PA-18A

-Year..........................1956

-Manufacturer..............Piper

-Engine………………Lycoming O-320…181 Horsepower

-Wing span…………..35.3 Feet

-Wing Area…….……178.5 Feet

-Length.......................22.5 Feet

-Height………...…….6.7 Feet

-Empty Weight………1062 lbs.

-Gross Weight.............1750 lbs.

-Fuel Capacity.............36 Gallons

-Fuel Consumption..….9 gph

-Maximum Speed........130 Mph

-Stalling Speed…….…43 Mph

-Stress Levels........…..3 Gs

  Travel Air "Mystery Ship"
.
(Short History)
The Travel Air "Mystery Ship" was designed and built in 1928 by the Travel Air Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, KS. Designated the model "R" the aircraft was designed and built for the upcoming 1929 National Air Races. Design and assembly of the aircraft was performed behind a curtain in a sealed off portion of the aircraft plant. It was only dubbed the "Mystery Ship" by the press after attempts to acquire information on the top secret project failed. On September 2, 1929, the date of the Cleveland National Air Races, the model "R" was finally revealed to the press and the rest of the world and easily took 1st place, beating every entry put forth by the military. This was the first year that a military aircraft had not won the National Air Races. The civilian design proved far superior and served as a wake-up call to the U.S. Military to increase funding for pursuit aircraft design and production.

The "Mystery Ship" that Matt is performing in today was re-created using original factory plans by Jim Younkin in 1979. This is the only replica, flying or otherwise, of a Travel Air "Mystery Ship" that exists today.

(Full History)
The "Mystery Ship" that Matt Younkin is performing in today was re-created using original factory plans by Matt's grandfather, Jim Younkin in 1979. Younkin's replica is the only flying example of a Travel Air "Mystery Ship" that exists today.

The Travel Air Model "R" is considered to be the grandfather of all air racers. Doug Davis's 1929 Thompson Trophy win sparked a revolution that would bring salty mail pilots and war veterans into the public spotlight as race winning heroes. In addition, everyone with a new idea for building a lighter faster airplane began turning their dreams into reality in garages and workshops all across the country with the hope of winning next years big race!

The "Mystery Ship" was designed by Herb Rawdon and Walter Burnham under the guidance of Travel Air Company owner and founder Walter Beech. (Walter Beech would later found Beechcraft which is still one of the most successful aircraft companies in the world today.)

After viewing a picture of the original "Mystery Ship" in flight without its cowling, the decision was made to test-fly Younkin's "Mystery Ship" the same way because the airplane was air-worthy before the cowling was completed. However, Younkin's airplane was almost lost during its initial test-flight because the turbulent airflow over the un-cowled engine combined with a center of gravity problem made the airplane almost un-flyable! After further research, it was discovered that the original "Mystery Ship" was almost crashed for the same reason! If it had not been for the super-human skill of Matt's father Bobby Younkin who was the test pilot, this beautiful airplane would not be performing for you today!

In addition, this Travel Air "Mystery Ship's beautiful lines inspired the Younkin tradition of black and red airplanes. The "Mystery" paint schemes on Jim's Piper Pacer and later on his Mullicoupe have been copied the world over and Bobby's Twin Beech, Learjet, Decathlon, and "SAMSON" paint schemes all trace their roots to the "Mystery Ship."

This airplane is also a movie star! It has appeared in Disney's "THE ROCKETEER" and Valerie Burtonelli's movie entitled "PANCHO BARNES." And most recently, Matt flew the airplane down to Mexico over the winter to be featured in a Land Rover commercial, which is currently airing worldwide.

Matt sees the "Mystery Ship" as the airplane that has allowed him to come full circle. He is combining his grandfather's creation with his father's passion for aerobatics and he considers it the greatest honor and privilege to fly for you here today!

Despite being built to rigid design specs, the "Mystery Ship" exceeded the engineer's calculated or anticipated airspeed by 15% on its first test flight! Its top speed was 235mph with a landing speed of 73 mph.

The original "Mystery Ship" had two sets of wings. They were made completely of spruce and covered with plywood. The first set was 27ft 8 inches long and was used for closed course racing. The second set was 29ft 2 inches long and was used for cross country and exhibition flights. Younkin's "Mystery Ship" has the 29ft 2 inch wingspan which enables it to perform the aerobatic maneuvers you are watching today.

The original "Mystery Ship" was equipped with a 9-cylinder Wright R975 radial engine which produced 300hp stock and with the performance mods added for the race cranked out over 400hp. After an extensive discussion with "Mystery Ship" designer Herb Rawdon in 1978, Jim Younkin decided to equip today's "Mystery Ship" with a 9-cylinder Lycoming R680 radial engine which also produces 300hp. Since the Lycoming engine is over 100lbs lighter than the Wright, Younkin's "Mystery Ship" performs much like the original without needing engine performance modifications.

The original "Mystery Ship" did not compete in 1930, but in 1931 it was repainted black and orange and was scheduled to attend the Thompson Trophy Race. On a test flight prior to the race, the aircraft caught fire and was destroyed after its new pilot Walter Hunter bailed out.

On a side note, Matt has one of the only surviving pieces of the original "Mystery Ship" on his mantle at home.

The Travel Air "Mystery Ship" not only introduced fully enclosed wheel covers and new NACA cowl to commercial aviation, but also contributed toward the future trend of low-wing military and commercial airplanes.

Just like the original, the "Mystery Ship" you see flying before you has a steel-tube and plywood covered fuselage which measures 20ft 2inches in length. The aircraft is also 7ft 9inches tall.

-Stuntmen-
 
Andy Roso
.
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
.
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.

   
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