Franklin’s Flying Circus”- Kyle Franklin

Piper Super Cub Comedy Act

Kyle Franklin is a third-generation pilot and second-generation airshow pilot. The Franklin aviation legacy started with Zip Franklin, Kyle’s grandfather, who was a WWII veteran and self-taught pilot. The legacy continued on when Zip’s oldest son and Kyle’s father, Jimmy began flying in airshows at age 19.

Kyle grew up around the airshow industry, learning to fly at a young age and traveling with his father to airshows every summer. Kyle also learned how to wingwalk and at the age of 17, Kyle and his father launched the industry’s only father and son wingwalking team. Kyle continued to expand his pilot skills and airshow stunts. Eventually they added the world’s only motorcycle to airplane transfer with his father piloting.

In 1999, they launched the original Jet Waco and Kyle became the world’s first jet wingwalker – an act he continued to perform until the tragic loss of his father and Bobby Younkin in 2005. Kyle was also the only other person to ever pilot the original Jet Waco.

Despite the loss of both their father’s, Kyle, and his wife and business manager Amanda Younkin Franklin continued in the airshow business. Kyle performed his comedy act and motorcycle to airplane transfer with his brother-in-law Matt Younkin as the motorcycle driver.

In 2008, Kyle and Amanda created and debuted one of the most iconic airshow acts ever - Pirated Skies! Kyle’s wife Amanda became the wingwalking pirate Scandalous Scarlet, and with their costumes, their beautiful story line, and their showmanship, they thrilled crowds everywhere until early 2011 when Amanda was tragically lost in an accident.

Despite Kyle’s lose he continued to perform and in 2013 he debuted a new, one-of-a-kind biplane – Dracula! This airplane combined the look, style, and appeal of the 1930’s racing airplanes with 21st century aerodynamics and systems. Originally conceived by Kyle and his father 10 years earlier, Dracula was completed in late 2012. Kyle performed in Dracula across the U.S through 2019.

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In 2016 Kyle met Liz Demond at EAA AirVenture and they have been married since 2019. Ever since Liz has become an essential part in the family’s flying business. Most notably her part as the pilot that Kyle steals the airplane from, in his comedy act.

Today, Kyle and Liz continue to wow and amaze crowds across the country and the world with their unique style of flying and showmanship. Over Kyle’s career he has created and performed over 12 different airshow acts in 6 different aircraft including, wingwalking, solo aerobatics, comedy acts, motorcycle to airplane transfers, stunt driving, ariel dogfight routines and many more. Kyle Franklin has become known as the “King of themed air show acts” and a legend in the airshow world. He has been flying airshows full time for over 25 years, and has won the coveted Bill Barber Award for Showmanship. Kyle with the help of Liz continues to re-invent himself to bring something new to the airshow industry and to keep up with ever changing pop culture.

2025 marks Kyle's 29th season as an airshow professional and his family's 58th year as airshow performing legends.

Learn more: https://www.franklinairshow.com/