Jim Franklin

Jimmy Marshall Franklin (May 16, 1948 – July 10, 2005) was an American aerobatic pilot. He performed at airshows, both solo and as part of teams, for over 38 years until his death at an airshow in Moose Jaw. Born and raised in Lovington, New Mexico, Franklin learned to fly at age 8 and bought his first airplane (a UPF 7 Waco) at 19 and flew his first airshow the same year.

Franklin was the first pilot to receive the Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship award, and the only performer to win it twice.

Biography Jimmy Franklin was born May 16, 1948, in Lovington, NM. When he was 12, Franklin dragged his father's airplane out of the hangar while the elder Franklin was away, and took it for his first solo flight. "I had buzzed all the neighbors," he later recalled.

Franklin is the only airshow pilot to be "red flared" at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh—a signal from the airshow controllers that an unsafe act has been seen, commanding the pilot to immediately land.

Awards received 1986: Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award (inaugural recipient) 1989: Bill Barber Award for Showmanship 1990: General Aviation News and Flyer "Reader's Choice" Award for Favorite Overall Performer 1996: General Aviation News and Flyer "Reader's Choice" Award for Favorite Specialty Act 1999: Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award 1999: Clifford W. Henderson Achievement Award 2007: ICAS Foundation Airshow Hall of Fame