Jimmy Franklin

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.

[2] Franklin was the first pilot to receive the Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship[3] award, and the only performer to win it twice.

[2] His father, Oliver (known as "Zip") would fly from the family's farm some 30 miles (48 km) to their ranch with the infant Franklin on his lap.

[4] At the show in 1975, his debut there, he had been flying inverted for his ribbon-grab when the aircraft's tail made contact with the grass, resulting in the flare.

In 2002 the pair and Bobby Younkin formed the X Team, which was popularly known as the Masters of Disaster after the name of their aerobatic routine.