Step Right Up to the Greatest Show Above Earth!
For over 55 years, the name Franklin has been synonymous with the impossible. This isn’t just an airshow; it’s a high-flying masterclass in danger, comedy, and heart-stopping precision. From the roar of the world’s only Jet Waco to the side-splitting chaos of the Ben Whabnoski comedy act, Franklin’s Flying Circus brings the spirit of the barnstormers into the 21st century.
Led by the “King of Showmanship” Kyle Franklin and his wife Liz, we don’t just fly planes—we defy gravity, tell stories, and create legends. Welcome to the Circus.
Kyle Franklin: The King of Showmanship
A Third-Generation Legend | 56 Years of Aviation History
Most pilots are born to fly, but Kyle Franklin was born to entertain. As a third-generation aviator and the “King of Themed Airshow Acts,” Kyle doesn’t just perform maneuvers; he tells stories in the sky. Carrying forward a 56-year family legacy that began with his grandfather Zip and was revolutionized by his father Jimmy, Kyle has spent over a quarter-century defining what it means to be an airshow legend.
The Franklin Legacy: Built on Innovation
The Franklin name is synonymous with “firsts.” From his father Jimmy soloing at age 12 and teaching himself aerobatics from a book, to the family launching the world’s first Jet Waco, the Franklins have always been showmen first and pilots second.
Kyle followed in those legendary footsteps, taking his first flight at two weeks old and becoming a competent pilot by age 10. By 17, he was the world’s youngest professional wingwalker, launching the industry’s only father-and-son wingwalking team.
A Career of Death-Defying Firsts
Kyle Franklin’s resume reads like a Hollywood stunt reel. Over his 27-year professional career, he has mastered more than 12 distinct acts across 6 different aircraft.
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The World’s Only Jet Wingwalker: Pushing the limits of physics on the wings of the original Jet Waco.
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The Motorcycle-to-Airplane Transfer: A high-speed, precision stunt perfected by the Franklins in 1972.
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Pirated Skies: The iconic, story-driven act that captured the hearts of fans nationwide.
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The “Ben Whabnoski” Comedy Act: A crowd-favorite routine where Kyle “steals” an airplane, showcasing world-class stick-and-rudder skills disguised as hilarious chaos.
The Next Chapter: Dracula & The Future
In 2013, Kyle debuted Dracula—a one-of-a-kind biplane that marries 1930s racing aesthetics with 21st-century aerodynamics. It is a masterpiece of aviation, originally conceived by Kyle and his father, now brought to life for a new generation of fans.
Today, the tradition continues with Kyle’s wife, Liz Franklin, who has become an integral part of the show. Whether she’s playing the pilot Kyle “steals” the plane from or managing the complex logistics of the Franklin’s Flying Circus, the duo continues to reinvent the airshow experience to match modern pop culture.
Awards & Accolades
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Recipient of the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship
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27+ Years as a Professional Performer
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56 Years of Family Airshow History
Don’t miss the man who turned the sky into a stage. Experience the legend. Experience Kyle Franklin.
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.
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 150 horsepower to 181 horsepower. 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.
INFO:
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..….6.5 gph
