Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Younkin Lives On Edge

By JOHN MILLER

Living on the edge is a way of life for some people.

Bobby Younkin is one of them. He's been living on the edge for 14 years, placing his life on the line every time he performs.

Younkin is a professional stunt pilot, flying a replica of a 1947 Samson biplane.

He and his wife, Jeanie, know each time he goes up may be his last. But instead of dwelling on what may happen, the Younkins take a different tack and have a positive attitude toward Bobby's passion and enjoy themselves at each performance.

Younkin puts on a non-stop show in his one-of-a-kind plane, doing a series of rolls, spins and loops which place a great deal of stress on his aircraft and him.

Interestingly, he praises his plane, saying it's one of the most famous show and competition planes ever built. The Wolf-Samson was originally constructed in 1947 by Curtis Pitts, a legend in the flight industry.

Younkin also performs in a Beech 18, a much larger plane than most pilots do aerobatic stunts in.

However, he will only be bringing the Samson to the Gurdon Air Expo, Oct. 26-27.

According to his wife, Bobby didn't discuss becoming a stunt pilot with her before making the decision, instead just doing it.

She said he learned stunt flying when he was a student pilot, went to an air show and decided he could do what those pilots were doing and did.

The Prairie Grove native said he began aerobatic flying with remote control planes as a teenager, learning a great deal about what could and couldn't be done with the aircraft.

From there, the step to stunt pilot was a short and simple one. He took flying lessons from Duane Cole, one of the best flight instructors around, but taught himself how to do stunts.

"I'd like to get back into RC models with my son," Younkin said. "He's a really good model plane builder."

Both Bobby and Jeanie know the ever-present danger in flying air shows. The Younkins lost a good friend in a July 4 show in Pennsylvania this year.

"I don't want to worry about the hazards that come with the territory," he said. "My wife's not crazy about it either. We've lost some performers this year (in fact, six aerobatic pilots have been killed so far in 1996), and it brings it close to home.

"But I feel good about the Samson. It was built by one of the finest airplane builders in the country. It has a good design, good characteristics and is the best air show plane ever built.

"It's the only plan that appealed to me. It's bigger and has radial engines."

Younkin said he's known about the Samson airplane since high school, and saw Steve Wolf perform in one. "I never dreamed I'd own it, though," he said.

"It's a real experience to be this close to a great plane -- the only one of its kind."

While Jeanie has mixed feelings about her husbands primary profession, she said he's a "good, conscientious pilot," who doesn't take foolish risks.

"Watching him is scary," she said. "We've lost six good friends this year, and that's always in the back of my mind. But I try not to think about it and have a positive attitude instead.

"If I dwell on what could happen, it would take over my life."

The Younkins have two children, Matt, 15, and Amanda, 10. Jeanie said she dreads Matt's taking flying lessons, but won't be able to say no when, and if, he asks.

Both children, she said, love aerobatics.

Matt has a more short-term ambition in mind. His mother said he wants to drive the family car to the airport and solo on his 16th birthday.

But aerobatic flight is not the only thing making the Younkin family a bit unusual. About two-and-a-half years ago, Bobby came home with a new pet for the family -- an African lion (also named Samson).

He said Jeanie almost threw him out of the house when he brought the "kitty" home, but all have since grown to love their "house cat."

Samson has been declawed and loves to wrestle with Bobby, who takes his lumps during these matches. "We're really close," he said of his relationship with the lion. "We have a strong bond."

Samson lives with two dogs in the back yard, a collie and German shepherd. Younkin said they all get along well for the most part.

In addition, the Younkin family has a parrot, guinea pigs and horses, which round out their menagerie.

Talking about the Gurdon Air Expo, Younkin said he really enjoys smaller shows like this one.

"Little shows are more fun than big ones," he said. "You can get closer to the crowd and get to know them. It doesn't get any better than that. It's a pleasant experience.

"In big shows, you've got to be ready the second you're act is announced. This (the Gurdon Expo) will be more laid back and enjoyable."

While Younkin will fly about 20 shows this year, his "other job" is flying cargo in another Beech 18 he owns.

However, he stresses his number one attempt at making a living comes from the air shows. Flying cargo is something to do when there is no show scheduled.

Regardless, Younkin will be keeping the crowd on its collective toes at the Gurdon Air Expo, as he puts his Wolf-Samson through its paces.

The expo will be held at Gurdon's Lowe Field Oct. 26-27, with the air show slated for Sunday at 2 p.m.

There will be static displays Saturday, along with RC demonstrations and concessions.

For more information on the Gurdon Air Expo, contact Mary Burns at (501) 353-5202.