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Kyle Franklin Reveals ‘Dracula’ Airshow Biplane

Kyle Franklin's new airplane, Dracula
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilot Kyle Franklin is returning to the airshow circuit with a new, highly customized biplane named "Dracula" after the tragic loss of his wife, Amanda.
  • "Dracula" boasts a retro aesthetic with a horror-movie theme, featuring a high roll rate, two-color smoke system, and is designed for overland towing to maintain a stable appearance schedule.
  • The aircraft includes a critical safety feature called the "Amanda Switch," named after his late wife, which cuts off fuel and smoke oil supply after a severe impact.
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After the tragic loss of his wife Amanda in an airshow accident, Kyle Franklin will return to the circuit with a dramatic new airplane. Revealed this week at the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) convention in Las Vegas, “Dracula” is a highly customized biplane with the retro appeal of early Waco racers – speed cowl, sloped windshield and sleek fuselage lines.

Its full-span ailerons yield a 300-degree-per-second roll rate. The MT propeller contributes 100 pounds to overall weight savings. A two-color smoke system and dramatic airbrushed paint scheme lend to the horror-movie theme of the performance.

Mark Phelps

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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