Airshows

Kyle Franklin was born to fly. The son and grandson of legendary airshow performers Jimmy and Zip Franklin, Kyle continues the tradition of Franklin’s Flying Circus, which marks its 50th anniversary during the 2017 airshow season. Flying magazine caught up with the third-generation airshow performer for an interview featured in our August issue. Kyle talked […]

The flying Franklins started with Kyle’s grandfather, Oliver Gene “Zip” Franklin, who bought a 1929 Doyle Special at the age of 16. The eldest Franklin mainly used airplanes as farm equipment to fly between two family ranches, and he had his son Jimmy with him in the cockpit while still in diapers before the lad […]

Becoming a member of the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, is a dream of many current and aspiring Navy and Marine aviators. Each year, the team selects three pilots for its F/A-18 Hornets, and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot to fly Fat Albert, the team’s Hercules support aircraft. Minimum qualifications: Jet pilots […]

EAA AirVenture 2016 didn’t disappoint, drawing the airshow performers, historic airplanes, industry exhibiters and crowds for which Oshkosh is known. Here are some of the highlights from the weeklong event at Wittman Regional Airport.

Moody skies and the occasional downpour weren’t enough to dampen the spirits of AirVenture 2016 attendees Thursday. Highlights included military and warbird demonstrations and a performance by Red Bull Air Race champion Kirby Chambliss in his Red Bull Edge 540.

A day at Oshkosh wouldn’t be complete without witnessing the stunning aerobatic routines and fly-overs of some of notable airplanes of all types and time periods. Check out photos from some of the thrilling aerobatic performances on display Wednesday at AirVenture 2016, as well as shots from the stunning night demonstrations and fireworks.

We all know nothing compares to being there in person to witness the stunning display of pilot skills during an aerobatic performance, but here’s a unique view you won’t get even if you’re on the ground at Oshkosh. Airshow pilot Matt Chapman took to the skies Monday, the first day of AirVenture 2016, and he […]

We’re just 24 days from the start of EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the excitement is building to sky-high levels. We all know why Oshkosh is so great, of course: The planes, the people and the electric atmosphere make it the highlight of any GA pilot’s year, with enough memories to last a lifetime. […]

Flying is a tough enough way to make a living sometimes — but for real economic desperation, try starting and running an aviation business. It’s a costly, unstable industry in which margins tend to be razor thin in even the best of times. The difficulty of consistently squeezing a profit out of things that fly […]

To many AirVenture regulars, Jim Busha and Hal Bryan’s names might not immediately ring a bell. But their new book, EAA Oshkosh: The Best AirVenture Photography, called the “next best thing to being at AirVenture,” may bring back a few memories of past aviation shindigs. Although a book like EAA Oshkosh was a dream for […]