Matt Younkin’s Beech 18 performance is likely the most unusual act on the airshow circuit today.  The Beech 18 was never designed for aerobatic flight; however that doesn’t make it incapable of doing just that.  The performance is almost a mirror image of the one his father Bobby pioneered and flew for over 15 years.  It begins with a roll on takeoff followed by a series of Cuban eights, point-rolls, and even a loop.  The conclusion is a dirty pass dubbed the “Elephant Waltz” in which Matt rocks the huge transport’s wings more than 90 degrees with the landing gear and flaps extended! 

The performance begins and ends to light-hearted music which capitalizes on an overly obese airplane executing maneuvers that its designers and airshow audience members alike never conceived possible for a large transport plane.  As a contrast, the majority of the performance flows with beauty and grace to equally beautiful music and a special tribute to Bobby Younkin.

This is truly a show-stopping act and has been a major highlight in every airshow it has participated in for years.

NEW FOR 2008-NIGHT AEROBATICS IN A BEECH 18!!!!  Imagine the airshow circuits largest, noisiest, and smokiest airplane lit up like a Christmas tree and performing aerobatics at night!  Imagination has become reality!  Keeping with Younkin Airshows tradition of pioneering the unusual this new variation of an existing amazement will surely be the highlight of any night airshow.  Look for appearances at an airshow near you!

back to top

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. 

Matt demonstrates the superior handling qualities of the aircraft by performing a graceful, yet exciting airshow routine.  This is continuing the Younkin Tradition of performing one-of-a-kind airshow acts that are exciting, non-stop, and kept in tight in front of the crowd.

back to top

Matt Younkin’s Super Decathlon routine is unique in every way.   The action is nonstop from the opening double-avalanche to the closing photo pass.  Matt flies the nimble aerobatic trainer to its limits keeping the crowd on their feet the entire time.  Most of His aerobatic sequence is negative-g with outside loops, pulls, pushes, and tumbles. 

His signature maneuver is the negative avalanche (outside loop with an outside snap-roll on top.)  No one else in the airshow industry is performing this maneuver, at least not in a Decathlon.  Matt also prides himself on his ability to perform an energy management sequence that flows from start to finish with no stage-left or stage-right exits. 

Every time the airplane changes direction, it’s done with a precision maneuver unlike any previously performed.  From the flashy and original red and black paint scheme to the sharp sound of the 3-bladed composite prop this airplane adds a unique flair to any airshow!

back to top

In 1972, Franklin’s Flying Circus performed the first motorcycle-to-airplane transfer. Now managed by Kyle Franklin, FFC is still the only group performing this incredible feat!

The Super Cub is equipped with a 15 foot, 100LB ladder that Kyle drops shortly after take off. He then circles around and pilots the Cub down the centerline of the runway at the proper height and speed as if it were on rails. On the stunt man's signal, the bike driver accelerates the motorcycle to over 80 mph to catch up with Kyle as soon as possible. The timing of the start is as critical as the timing of the transfer.

Suddenly, the airplane and the motorcycle become united by the body of the daredevil which passes between them. On Kyle's signal, he pulls away with his new passenger, allowing the driver just enough time to stop the bike before the runway ends. However, the transfer is only half the show!

The stuntman will then attempt a series of freestyle stunts including the “Why would you do that,” which finds him hanging upside down by his legs, less than 100 feet off the ground! Without safety wires, cables, or parachute, the stuntman's life depends completely on his own strength as well as Kyle’s piloting skills.

Finally, he climbs the ladder, gets in the airplane, and pulls the ladder up behind him, which is a trick in itself. It takes careful planning, lots attention to safety, precise timing, and a tremendous amount of skill on the part of all three individuals to make the only ground-to-air transfer in the airshow industry possible.

For more information please visit: www.franklinairshow.com

back to top

Kyle has been flying Jimmy's orginal Waco "Mystery Ship" since 1999. This is the plane Jimmy is most well-known for flying (before the Jet Waco).

Orginally built in 1940, this Waco is a one of a kind, and has been through many modifications over the years. Because of all the extensive modifications, the Waco no longer looked like a origial Waco, and was dubbed the "Waco Mystery Ship."

This is one 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 that make up Kyle's performance, Kyle is one of a handful of pilots that will actually torque roll, tail slide, and even lomcevak toumble his massive Waco bi-plane.

The lomcevak, a Czech word meaning "berzerk headache," is particularly dramatic. He starts out at 4,000 feet and lets the plane tumble nosies over tail into an inverted flat spin, recovering just a few feet above the ground. It's a stunt that thrills spectators with its spine-chilling danger.

This act has it all: noise, smoke, speed, looks, nostalgia and low-flying aerobatics.

For more information please visit: www.franklinairshow.com

back to top