wing walking tour

M ASON W ING W ALKING

  academy.

O ne of the most satisfying aspects of teaching and flying wing walkers is sharing the moment with a first time wing walker after their first flight. Emotions are high. Wing walking packs a lot of overwhelming sensations into one relatively quick experience.

The beauty of the earth seen from a vantage point never seen before, the graceful art of gentle aerobatics in a classic biplane, the roar of the radial engine, the dead calm zero g moment as the airplane slows to a stop at the top a vertical climb, slowly pivoting to point straight back at the earth -you have just completed the hammer head!

The roll. Watching the earth seemingly spin around you as the biplane gently rolls, pausing inverted for a moment of zero-g photo op.

Smile for the cameras!

Mason Wing Walking Academy

At Mason Wing Walking we train wing walkers at the Santa Paula Airport. If you have always wanted to wing walk check us out. The pool of wing walkers (those that actually walk on the wing) in the world is still quite small and over 90% of them trained at Mason Wing Walking Academy .

One person, introductory course, upper wing only: $850 One person, full course, upper and lower wing: $1250 The tuition fee covers training plus video and pictures. Deposit required for groups of three or more.

T RAINING AND F LIGHT T IME

The wing walking is a full day deal, show up first thing in the morning and spend typically 4-5 hours practicing and being coached on climbing around the exterior of the Stearman with a safety harness & cable. When you have that down, we fly!

We climb up to around 3500' and power back to a nice slow glide so as to give you a comfortable trek up to the upper wing rack. Once you are secured, we throttle up for a series of aerobatics which includes rolls and hammerheads. Then we throttle back again and you climb back into the cockpit. While you rest a spell we climb to regain any altitude lost during the aerobatics and glide. Then we repeat the process for the lower wing, lying prone on the "javelin". While you are still on the wing, we wind down the flight with a gentle slow level flight, allowing you to soak in the experience.

The average wing walking flight is approximately 25 minutes which includes two sets of aerobatics, one on the upper wing and one on the lower wing. The introductory flight is half as long due to omitting wing walking on the lower wing.

The length of each aerobatic wing walking session is largely determined by the stamina of the student. Some students request a longer “straight and level” rest period after an aerobatic session.

Wing walking at Mason Wing Walking Academy is a day that can't be matched anywhere.

It can't be matched in a $5,000 zero g padded tube airplane ride, and likely would not be matched in a quarter million dollar 5 minute sub-orbital space ride. The truth is that wing walking is not merely an "experience", it is an accomplishment. We invest time in each of our students to make them safe, proficient wing walkers.

An important distinction is the difference between a wing walker and a wing rider. Wing riders have no training in moving about an aircraft in flight, they are strapped to the top of an airplane and taken for a ride, never leaving the fixture to which they are attached. For safety reasons we do not offer wing rides. We train wing walkers, an elite group who can competently maneuver about the aircraft.

Santa Paula is located in beautiful Ventura County in Southern California. Plan an extra few days to enjoy the local area attractions.

Schedule your training and wing walking adventure today!

Email Today! [email protected]

+1(360)775-1213

For safety reasons, wing walkers do not use parachutes. If a parachute were to inadvertently deploy while wing walking, the results would likely be disastrous entanglement with the aircraft. But we do use a safety harness and safety cable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Call Now! +1(360)775-1213

The pool of wing walkers (those who actually walk on the wing) in the world is still quite small and over 90% trained with Marilyn. Mason Wing Walking alumni includes athletes, executives, soldiers and grandmothers. Marilyn has prepared Hollywood stunt men and numerous reality show participant/ host for wing walking on camera. A particularly proud moment for her was training the world's youngest wing walker (10 year old).

“This was truly a bucket list item!

“I thank Marilyn for being such an incredible instructor while teaching me to wing walk and Mike for being such an awesome and talented pilot. Both of them made me feel safe and excited about my thrill seeking, wing walking adventure. This was truly a bucket list item that has been fulfilled. I highly recommend Mason Wing Walking for anyone seeking to chase their dream of wing walking.” -Melissa B

Adventure is not a hobby, it’s a lifestyle!

Wing Walking – A Once in a Lifetime Experience

Since the early 1920s, thrill seekers have been stepping out of perfectly good airplanes to stand on the wings for one of the closest equivalents to human flight that you can have. With both of us obsessed with flying, when we found out that we actually could experience Wing Walking at the Mason Wing Walking Academy for ourselves, of course, Dustin and I jumped at the opportunity. Mason Wing Walking Academy in Sequim, WA is the only place in the world where you could learn how to wing walk. They’ve been in operation and have had a perfect safety record for over a decade. To say wing walking is the experience of a lifetime is not underrated. It is something that you need to experience for yourself.

Mason Wing Walking Academy Info

Website: https://masonwingwalking.com

Address: 61 Greywolf Air Ct. Sequim, WA 98382

At the time we went, you’ll be practicing out of their hangar at the address above. The flight itself is out of Sequim Valley Airport . 

Upper wing only: $799 Both wings: $985 For more up-to-date pricing, check out their website . The cost includes training, 2 sets of aerobatic sequences (loop, barrel rolls, hammerhead) on each wing, videos, and photos.

There is plenty of parking at both the hangar and the airport.

There are restrooms at both the hangar and the airport.

Wing Walking is a whole day experience. You’ll start bright and early in the morning. The practice session is usually about 4-5 hours. The flight itself is around 25 minutes if you do both wings. If you’re only doing the top wing, it is about 15 minutes or so.

Summer has the best weather for Wing Walking in Sequim, WA

What You Need to Know

Do i need prior experience for wing walking.

You don’t need any prior experience to do this ! Mason Wing Walking Academy will train you on how to Wing Walk. Our Airbnb host, Capt Crystal of Dream Catcher Balloon , 60 something years old badass lady had done this! However, you’ll need to have a STRONG sense of adventure, decent upper strength as well as a certain degree of agility. This is an activity that will challenge your mental strength.

When is the Best Time to Go?

As with anything involving flying, you’ll need good weather. Summer has the best weather in Sequim, WA . If you prefer to do Wing Walking in the off-season (Dec, Jan, Feb), you’ll need to “cherry picking” a good weather day. Also, we recommend reserving a few extra days for Wing Walking, in case of bad weather. This way, you can train one day and fly the day after, when the weather clears up.

What Should I Wear for Wing Walking?

Comfortable, fitted clothing is best. You won’t want too much stuff flapping in the wind, and there is A LOT of wind once you’re up there. Jeans or shorts are also fine as long as you can move and stretch in them. Also, the weather conditions can change quite quickly, therefore, we recommend bringing light layers of clothing. If you bring jackets, avoid anything with a hood. For Wing Walking, footwear is very important. You’ll need to wear narrow shoes such as Converse or Vans. Wide-soled shoes such as hiking or running shoes do not work well in the foot holds.

Do You Get Air Sick?

Because there is plenty of fresh air and the fact that Mike is an awesome pilot, you won’t get air sick. The aerobatics are very gentle. However, you’ll reach 4G on some of the moves.

So How Do I Breath Up There?

You might think this a funny question, but we had people asking us that. So Marilyn told us, and we vowed for it, that you’ll have no problem inhaling. There is tons of air rushing to your face. However, it will be harder to exhale. So, Marilyn taught us to either lower our heads to one side and this will help block the wind, or the best way is to just scream or laugh and enjoy the ride.

Are There Any Restrictions?

There are a few. First, you’ll need to be over 18 to take the Wing Walk class. They also have a weight limit of 230lbs . You also need to be somewhat flexible, agile, and able to climb up and down the airplane for several hours before the actual flight.

About Mason Wing Walking Academy

Mason Wing Walking Academy is family-owned and operated by Mike and Marilyn Mason with the help of their wonderful children. The company has been in business for over 12 years. Both Mike and Marilyn have been Wing Walkers themselves since 1983. Marilyn, your instructor, has trained over 90% of the wing walkers in the world. Mike, your pilot of the day, has been wing walking and flying aerobatics in Stearman biplanes for over thirty years. Besides their impressive resume, the Mason family could not have been nicer. We felt like we were part of their family at the end of the day. 

If you’re looking for a true Wing Walking experience, Mason Wing Walking Academy in Sequim, WA is the ONLY place in the world that offers it.  A true Wing Walking experience means you’ll actually be climbing in and out of the airplane while it is flying. There are a few places in Europe that allow Wing Riding. Wing Riding is when you’re strapped to the top of the plane on the ground and then the plane takes off and flies around. However, it is nothing compared to that thrill of climbing your way up and down midflight. Not only is it WAY more thrilling, but as crazy as it may seem, it is actually way safer as well. The majority of airplane accidents happen when you are either taking off or landing. Therefore, the safest place to be during those times is inside the cockpit.

The Adventure

Training session.

Finally, our wing walking day had arrived. Even though our start time wasn’t until 9 am, we were both up early like 2 kids on Christmas. We left early just to make sure we weren’t late/ As soon as we pulled up to the hangar, we were greeted by Jenna, Mike, and Marilyn’s daughter. Jenna would be training us on the art of wing walking. She should have a pretty good grasp on it since she has been doing it from the age of 10!!!! 

As we stepped into the hangar, we were greeted by 2 gorgeous biplanes. One was red and the other one was silver and black. Since the red plane is being repaired, we will be practicing and flying on the silver and black plane. After filling out the typical waiver, Jenna showed us the table full of gloves and goggles that we were encouraged to use. She also showed us the seatbelts that we will be using on the plane and on the wing. The seatbelt is a bit tricky to use so we practiced clipping and unclipping it in a few times.

Top Wing Practice

After that, Jenna took us over to the plane and showed us how to climb up on the top wing. It is a tight squeeze climbing up to the upper wing, especially if you’re taller or have broader shoulders. Vy was practically built for wing walking. After 2 run-throughs, she was able to make her way up onto the top wing with ease. The tricky thing about wing walking is that everything on the biplane is very fragile. Therefore, your movements need to be precise and deliberate so you don’t break the plane. Since the wings are made out of fabric, it would not be good if you damage the wing mid-flight. With this in mind, we wanted to get as many practices runs in as possible so that it was basically muscle memory when it came time to do it for real.

If you are planning on wing walking yourself, it is a good idea to plan your trip with a couple of days as a grace period just in case the weather isn’t good for flying. In fact, a group that showed up during our lesson had that happen. Since they didn’t get to fly the day before, they would be getting their flights in while we were training. So, they wheeled out the gorgeous silver and black plane the Vy and I nicknamed the Silver Bullet and we started training on the red plane instead. The planes are almost identical so there wasn’t much of a learning curve.

Bottom Wing Practice

As we were practicing, our group was joined by our new buddy Michael.  He was running late so Jenna got him caught up as Vy and I watched the silver bullet roar to life and take off to head over to the airport. After he was all caught up, we moved on to learning how to do the lower wing. 

Even though it is not much of a tight squeeze getting out onto the lower wing, you’ll definitely need some very important techniques. Believe it or not, the lower wing of this plane is made out of canvas. One wrong step and you can tear the wing! Since the wing is what keeps you flying, you probably want to make sure it stays as intact as possible. Luckily, Mason Wing Walking Academy has placed little black tape squares on the parts of the wing that you can step on. So, all you have to do is make sure you step in the right place, with just the ball of your foot. After everyone ran through several more practice rounds, we all agreed that we were ready to become real wing walkers! We hopped into our cars and made our way to the airport.

The Wing Walking Experience

At the airport.

We arrived at the airport to see the Silver Bullet glistening in the sunlight. Before our flights, Marilyn had us run through both wings a couple more times to make sure we were all very comfortable. She watched each movement very closely and gave us pointers along the way. Not only would their advice keep us safe, but it would protect the plane as well. Finally, it was time! When they asked who wanted to go first and before I could even blink, Vy had already climbed up onto the plane. After Marilyn went over the final check-up, they were ready to go.

The plane roared to life. I felt very comfortable knowing that Vy was in the hands of professionals as they blazed down the runway and took to the sky. It is a short and scenic flight over to the location where they will be doing the acrobatics. Along the way, the plane will be climbing to about 4000 feet. From the airport, we could barely see the tiny spec of a plane off in the distance as we anxiously waited for it to begin the stunt portion of the flight.

Wing Walking the Top Wing

Once the plane reached 4000ft, Mike slowed it down to about 60 mph. Then, he signaled for us to start climbing up. As much as we were mentally prepared for the wind speed, it was a whole different animal when we were actually encountering it. At 60 mph, the wind speed was still intense so we needed to make sure to always have 3 points of contact. We also had to make sure our movements were deliberate. 

After we got up to the top and buckled in, we gave Mike two thumbs up, letting him know that we were ready for the aerobatic sequences. Soon enough, we felt the plane speed up and the next thing we knew, we were upside down, engaging in the aerobatic flight. The aerobatic sequences include 2 sets of each: loop, hammerhead, and barrel roll, not in any particular order. During the aerobatics, the plane was blazing through the air at around 140 mph, so the wind was even stronger. It was such a surreal feeling, flying on top of the airplane. The few moments up there seem to last for eternity. Time seems to slow down as we soared through the sky.

The Climb Down

Once Mike finished with his set flight, he did a wing wag, signaling us that it was time to get back down to the cockpit. The climb down was also as tricky as the climb up. It wasn’t that bad when we were practicing, however, adding the wind, everything was more difficult. If you’re only doing the top wing, you’ll fly back to the airport after getting down to the cockpit. If you’re doing the bottom wing as well, you’ll be prepared to get out on the lower wing after getting back to the cockpit.

Walking on the Bottom Wing

Walking on the lower wing was a lot more intimidating for both of us. For some reason, the wind felt a lot stronger on the lower wing. You also have to walk on the edge of the wing. This means there’s nothing much between you and the ground, 4000ft below. We also had to step precisely on the little spots of black tape. The black tape marked the safe spot to walk on, without damaging the wing. It was harder to position our feet because the wind kept trying to blow them away. It was quite a feat fighting against the wind to get to where we needed to go.

Finally, we were able to get ourselves safe and secured on the javelin. So the crazy thing about the lower wing is that there isn’t any way for you to strap yourself in. However, the way you position yourself pretty much kept you secure on top of the javelin. Once we were ready, Mike again threw the airplane to full speed and proceeded with another sequence of aerobatic movements. It definitely felt more intense on the bottom wing knowing that you’re not strapped in. Also, you can look straight down at the ground below. For some reason, that makes it 10 times more intimidating.

Once we finished with the flight, Mike signaled us to go back in. The way back was as intense as the way out. Again, we needed to make sure our steps were precise, so as not to damage the wing. Once we got back into the cockpit, we both sighed with relief. For the fact that we made it back safely and for the crazy experience that we just went through. It was such an amazing, adrenaline rush, one-of-a-kind experience. Before we even touch the ground, both of us had already planned to go back again. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, Wing Walking is hands down a must-do! We couldn’t recommend it enough! Do it! You only live once!

These are the gear that we personally use and find them helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our  Recommended Gear section as well. 

adventure gear

• Comfortable, fitted clothing that won’t flap around too much in the wind. 
• Narrow-soled shoes such as Converse or Vans
• Thin layers and non-hooded jackets in case the weather changes. 
• Water, lunch, and snacks. since you’ll be there most of the day.

other things to bring

Always good to bring some snacks with you. For healthy and easy snacks, check out some of our recipes .

camera gear

Sony 24-70 2.8 lens

Hybrid Pro Filters – DSLR / Mirrorless

CPL Filter for GoPro 9

GoPro Floating Handgrip

SandMarc GoPro pole

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Gill Atkins

Sorry to be a nuisance but do you know of any company in New Zealand that offers wing walking? I live there and it’s on my bucket list but no-one seems to do this in New Zealand. Any thoughts? Thanks. Gill.

Sorry, we don’t know of any company in New Zealand that would offer this. Maybe you can make a trip to USA one of these days?

OMG! I had a fantasy of doing this for a living after an aerobatic ride in a Stearman! Tax return- occupation: Wingwalker. LOL

Fantastic video! Love it!

You HAVE to do this then!! It was such an amazing experience. You won’t regret it! 😊

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WING WALKING

  what to expect.

To observe people doing light aerobatics as they glide over-head, is truly incredible, but what is it like to experience it?

Climbing onto the wing and feeling the force of the winds blowing while flying at high speed definitely gets the adrenaline pumping. Hearing the engine roar, feeling the weight of the air, while concurrently maneuvering around an airplane requires a huge level of concentration and strength and is an enormous accomplishment. Recognizing the risks they are taking with the earth more than 1000 feet below, wing walkers consider this to be a unique experience that is well worth it.

The pilots guide their biplanes through the various maneuvers depending on the experience of the wing walker. Each move provides its own rush: viewing the world from above while riding upside down, feeling the weightlessness of the negative G-force or the heaviness of the positive G-force during loops and climbs, the spin of the sky and the earth during rolls, climbing up toward the heavens while the force of the wind rushes against the body are just a few examples.

As a wing walker gains more skill in this art and their body is trained in new movements, their navigation around different parts of the airplane may develop into acrobatics, including stunts or, for performing artists, gracious dance moves. Of course, each new skill takes specific training and time to prepare for but it is worth the hard work! The gratification that comes from wing walking is unlike any other art.

It is true that wing walking has evolved to be much safer than it’s early days, but it is not for the faint of heart and requires a certain level of training. Is it only an elite group of people who can perform this art or can any adventurous person learn the skill with proper instruction? Although it seems death-defying, extreme and high-risk, considering the strict safety criteria of wing walking, it is relatively safe. The pilots who perform these aerobatics have a high level of experience. That, plus the safety features such as the harness that keeps the wing walker attached to the plane, the cables that enable them to safely navigate around the plane, leads to a secure environment. You can learn more training here: Wing Walking Training

The specific training the wing walker goes through for even the most basic wing walking experience prepares them for anything. Step-by-step, they learn the key maneuvers; they learn a new way to communicate with the pilot, since the sound of the wind at these speeds drowns out all other sounds. All of this leads to a sober, yet secure exhilarating experience.

With the enjoyment that wing walking offers for both the novice and the expert, it is no wonder that for many who experience it, it becomes their passion. For everyone involved, from the onlooker, to the pilot, to those who walk the wing, the blend of the thrill, the challenge and the skill are a great inspiration. The art of wing walking is not just something to try, it is something to find fulfillment in.

Wing Walking Photos

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

I got to tour the West Wing!

Getting a tour of the West Wing of the White House is perhaps the toughest ticket in Washington, DC, but if you do get one, it’s the Golden Ticket.  

Several guides at DC By Foot have toured the West Wing.

It is much easier to tour the White House on a public tour or take our Intro to DC tour to see it from outside with one of our guides.

They are scheduled from 7:30 in the morning until 9:30 at night, though you cannot tour the West Wing during business hours or when the President is working.

Unfortunately, we can’t help you arrange a tour of the West Wing, but we can tell you who can visit the West Wing, how to apply, and what you will see.

HOW TO GET A WEST WING TOUR

Your best chance of getting a tour is to be a friend or family of a White House employee. 

So, who do you have to know? It’s an exclusive club:

• Friends and family of authorized White House employees
• Celebrities and political activists
• Friends and prominent supporters of members of Congress

Celebrities and prominent political activists must apply directly to the White House Office of Political Affairs.  If you are a friend of a prominent member of Congress, that member may apply to the Office of Political Affairs on your behalf.

If you are fortunate enough to be booked on a West Wing tour, you will receive a link directly from the WH asking you to provide the following information: 

• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number (only U.S. residents 18 and older)
• Citizenship
• City and State of Residence

Once you provide that information, you will receive a strict set of rules for your visit. The most important one is bags: the size must not exceed 4x6 inches. Also, no phones are allowed, so you’ll have to lock it away upon entry. 

In the days before your tour, the Secret Service will conduct a rigorous background check, and when you arrive at the White House for your tour, there is additional security screening. Don’t forget your government-issued ID.

The check-in point is at 17 th and E St NW. Upon arrival, you will be given a temporary badge that you will wear for the duration of your tour. Yes. You have to return it following your visit. 

After passing through security, you will follow your guide (the White House employee) past the south façade of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where you will round a corner to the left. 

And there it will be: the entrance to the West Wing! It is an extensive tour, allowing you to see the inner workings of the West Wing and the surrounding exterior grounds, all under the watchful eye of Secret Service members, who will happily answer questions and tell you stories. Be sure to ask about the ghosts in the White House. There are lots of them! 

So, what exactly do you get to see? 

• Situation Room
• West Colonnade
• Rose Garden & South Lawn
• Cabinet Room
• Oval Office
• Roosevelt Room
• West Wing Lobby
• James P. Brady Press Briefing Room

As you are not allowed to bring your phone (or cameras) into the West Wing, the only place where photos are allowed is the Press Briefing Room.

As part of a West Wing tour, you will also visit the adjacent Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where you will see the following: 

• Second Gentleman’s Office Suite (exterior only)
• The Vice President’s Ceremonial Office
• Secretary of War Suite
• The Cordell Hull Room
• The Diplomatic Reception Room
• The Indian Treaty Room
• The War Library
• The East and West Rotundas
• Truman Bowling Alley

So, if you are lucky enough to get this Golden Ticket, a tour of the West Wing will surely be a highlight of your time in Washington, DC.

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About The Author

Canden Arciniega

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

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Why fly with us?

We are unique.

Celebrating 40 years, established in 1984, we are the original and first Stearman wing walking team in the UK, and regarded as industry leaders.

The most safety conscious wingwalking company in the world, boasting an unblemished 100% safety record here at our private airfield.

Our Experiences

We are the only UK wingwalking company with CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) to offer full on aerobatic flights, including a stall turn, barrel roll and loop-the-loop, with dramatic smoke trails generated by our powerful smoke systems using Aeroshell smoke oil.

We are also the only UK wingwalking company to perform formation wingwalking experiences. With our fleet of aircraft we can offer two wingwalkers this incredible and unique experience to be part of their own private, formation wingwalking display.

Maximum Weight

Our maximum weight limit is 14 stone (196lbs) and you will be secured into our advanced and strong technical wingwalking rig.

Exclusive Private Airfield

We operate from our own private WW1 airfield just for our Wingwalkers’ exclusive use while your flight takes place. Our airfield is steeped in history, dating back to 1916; there are no flying schools, no other circuit air traffic to consider, just open airspace and stunning views of the beautiful Cotswold countryside designated ‘an area of outstanding natural beauty’. Bring your friends and family along too for up close and uninterrupted views from our securely fenced landscaped gardens. Teas and coffee available in our original and authentic WW1 officers mess. You couldn’t get closer to the action.

Experienced Pilots

You will be flown by our pilots who are amongst the most experienced ; including Guiness World record holding pilots, the world most experienced wingwalking pilot and an ex Royal Airforce corporate jet pilot. Collectively having over 60,000 wingwalking hours, 6000+ air displays and over 12,000 public wingwalkers flown.

Professional Wingwalkers

In depth and detailed safety briefings by our full time, extremely experienced Professional Wingwalkers . They are highly acclaimed performers at airshow displays worldwide and understand every aspect of the safety and thrill for wingwalking. You could not be in better hands.

Our Aircraft and Engineers

Our fleet of four Boeing Stearman aircraft are meticulously maintained by our experienced, on site engineers with over 90 years combined experience, and are powered by Pratt and Whitney 450hp engines, the biggest Super Stearman engines in the UK.

World Renowned Display Team

We are the only formation aerobatic wingwalking team in the World. We have performed in over 25 countries as far afield as China, India, UAE, Australia and the Philippines. We always attract extensive interest in every country we have been to.

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Wingwalking / General Enquiries:

Lorraine Wright - [email protected]

Display Enquiries / Book the Team:

[email protected]

+44 (0)1285 831774 or +44 (0)7749 725338

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Like a Bird on a Beam: Meet Missouri’s Wing Walkers

Shortly after aviation took off, so did a new form of entertainment. entertainers—many of them women—ventured onto the wings of flying planes to dazzle audiences with daring acrobatic feats. daredevils continue to keep the tradition alive today..

By Ron Soodalter

There is a line in the wildly popular early 20th-century song, “Come Josephine, in my Flying Machine” that goes, “Balance yourself like a bird on a beam.” Beginning around the time of World War I, that is precisely what aviators and aviatrixes did for the breathtaking amusement of the crowds at America’s state and local fairs, circuses, and celebrations. In aerial shows designed to awe the masses, a pilot would go aloft in his primitive biplane, and his attractive young “associate” would climb onto and stand erect on the upper wing. She would maintain this stance, waving to the earthbound masses, as the plane went through a series of maneuvers. These stunt pioneers proudly adopted the colorful name “wing walkers.” 

Thirsting for the thrills the colorful posters had promised, a large crowd of spectators at the 1920 Missouri State Fair looked skyward as a young girl from Lexington, Missouri, climbed confidently onto the upper wing of a biplane. Her name was Elvira Fizer, and she was among the first in what would become a century-long Missouri tradition of wing walkers.

Elvira was only 15 when she began dazzling crowds across the Midwest. A professional aviator spotted her while she was visiting a cousin in Marshall, Missouri, and instantly decided that she would make an ideal wing walker. Captivated by the idea of flying, Elvira immediately began “on-site training” on the wings of his biplane. A journalist of the period wrote, “At the time, there was nothing this 15-year-old schoolgirl wanted like a ride in a plane, and she would have agreed to anything which would make that possible.”

According to Kim Borgman, Elvira’s granddaughter who lives near Marshall, the young wing walker had a less-than-idyllic childhood. Her mother died shortly after giving birth to her, and for a time, Elvira lived with her grandparents in Arrow Rock, Missouri. Her father, a coal miner, remarried shortly after Elvira’s mother died, settled near Lexington, and fathered several more children. Eventually, he “reclaimed” Elvira, taking her to his house to help his wife with the housework. “My grandmother didn’t talk much about this time in her life,” Kim recalls, “likely because it was a painful memory.” 

Seeking an escape from her dead-end existence, Elvira quickly took to wing walking. Her first experience, however, was tentative at best. “When the time came,” she later recalled, “and I put one foot out on the wing, I simply could not drag the other after it. I didn’t want to do it at all, and I turned around to my pilot. One look at his face was enough! His very expression said ‘She’ll never go through with it’—and out I stepped.” 

Three years later, a reporter from the St. Louis Star interviewed Elvira at a flying circus sponsored by the Missouri National Guard. The illustrated article in the July 2, 1923, edition describes “this pretty, black-haired young thing” as standing “only five feet four inches tall and weighing 120 pounds.” The article goes on to say, “She is one of the most daring ‘wing-walkers’ in this part of the country, and doubtless one of the youngest in the profession in any part of the country.” In addition to wing walking, Elvira also learned to parachute from the plane’s wing at a time in aeronautical history when parachutes were far from fail-safe. 

The system she used for securing herself to the wing was one of her own devising, and it was, to say the least, basic. As a journalist noted, “There is nothing between Elvira and eternity but two loops of rope through which she puts her feet.” It was while rooted in this rudimentary device that she stood erect on the wing as the plane performed 360-degree rotations—“loop-the-loops,” as they were called—and hammerheads, in which the plane would fly upward until it appeared to stall, then plummet earthward, only to recover at the last instant. The crowds loved it, and the diminutive young woman became a favorite at state and county functions. 

It was another passion that finally brought gutsy young Elvira down to earth. She met and married Noble Hammer. The couple settled near Marshall and had three children together. The youngest was Kim’s father, John, who was born five months after Noble died in 1932 at the age of 34. “The loss of my grandpa was hard on Grandma,” Kim says, “and she basically wanted to block out her pain and memories and destroyed all the scrap books she had kept and cherished of her adventures.” 

Elvira was not the only young Missourian to walk on the wing of an airplane in flight. St. Louis native Marie Meyer was a wing walker and parachutist, plus she also piloted her own plane. After purchasing an army surplus Curtis Jenny biplane in 1922, 23-year-old Marie participated in international aerial races in both St. Louis and Dayton, Ohio. She created the Marie Meyer Flying Circus, which featured a number of daring stuntmen and pilots, including a young Charles Lindbergh. In 1924, Marie married Missouri stunt pilot Charles Lee Fower. That same year, she accepted the invitation of the St. Louis Flying Club to wing walk as Charles flew between the buildings of a downtown St. Louis street. It proved to be her most perilous stunt. She later commented, “No one will ever know how close we came to ending it all that day. We did give them a show, though!” Ironically, Marie was killed in an auto accident in 1956. 

Another wing walker who got through her aerial escapades unscathed was Lillian Boyer, who retired after performing her last show in Bethany, Missouri. Invited by two customers to go aloft, this Nebraska waitress climbed onto the wing on only her second flight. In addition to wing walking, she also transferred from a speeding car to a low-flying plane and parachuted from great heights. After an eight-year career beginning in 1921, she retired from barnstorming, and lived to age 88. 

In addition to wing walking, aerial escapist Lillian Boyer counted among her stunts transferring from a speeding car to a low-flying plane and parachuting from great heights. 

Not all wing walkers lived into their golden years; it was, and is, a perilous occupation. Although biplanes have become considerably more sophisticated with each passing decade, the danger is still present, and occasionally the result is tragic. 

In early August 1951, 17-year-old Pansy “Kitty” Middleton of the Missouri Ozarks performed her first aerial stunts at her hometown airport in Willow Springs. Weeks later, she was wing walking for a crowd of over 26,000 onlookers at the Minnesota State Fair. It was only her third public performance, and all was going well until the plane failed to come out of a dive. Both Kitty and her pilot were killed. 

Veteran pilot and showman Kyle Franklin of Neosho, Missouri, learned to fly a plane in 1988 at 8 years old and to wing walk at 14. The aerial incarnation of Evel Knievel, he became a legend, wowing crowds as the only daredevil to walk on the wing of a jet. Throughout his career, however, he has suffered almost unimaginable personal losses. Kyle’s grandfather was killed in a cross-country plane crash, and his father—an aerobatic legend in his own right, and Kyle’s teacher and best friend—died while performing a stunt in the skies. 

In 2005, Kyle married Amanda Younkin, the daughter of the pilot who had perished in the same crash that claimed Kyle’s father. As daring as her husband, Amanda became the wing walker in Franklin’s Flying Circus and Air Show. Climbing onto the wing dressed in the pirate costume of “Scandalous Scarlet,” she would engage her pilot husband in aerial sword fights while holding on to the plane’s struts with one hand. 

Then tragedy struck yet again. In May 2011, while performing their routine over the Brownsville-South Padre International Airport in Texas, the Franklins’ plane lost power and began a rapid descent. Amanda managed to work her way from the wing to the forward seat, but the flames from the crash claimed the wing walker’s life. 

After recovering from his injuries, Kyle again took to the air with his best friend, Todd Green, as his wing walker. Then in August of the same year, while standing on the wing during a performance at an airshow in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, Todd attempted to grab the skid of a circling helicopter. He missed and plummeted to his death. That same weekend, a stunt pilot crashed during an air show in Kansas City. 

Understandably, Kyle was stunned. “It was a hard year for the air-show family. We’re like a tight-knit family, so when something happens, it hits us all hard.” But he continues to perform. “It’s what I love. I have no intention of getting out of the air-show business. It’s in my blood.” He has remarried, and his wife, Liz, now pilots the plane while Kyle performs on the wing. 

Although not nearly as prevalent as it once was, wing walking has survived as a form of entertainment. In fact, for those who find themselves attracted to the idea of walking on a biplane wing at 3,500 feet, there is a wing walking school on the West Coast. 

From the earliest days of manned flight, aerial daredevils—barnstormers, wing walkers, parachutists, and stunt pilots—have defied the odds for the amusement of the crowd, and for the personal satisfaction of successfully confronting their own mortality. Missouri’s early wing walkers were the rock stars of their day to some, and certifiable lunatics to others. But no matter how the performers were viewed, people turned out in the thousands to watch the show with bated breath. 

A fearless few, like Kyle, keep the spectacle alive. But today’s technological advances, many of which have redefined the concept of leisure time and created increasingly sophisticated distractions, have all but rendered the flying circus and its death-defying performers a romantic ghost of America’s past. 

The Man Who Inspired the Spectacle

Although the first documented case of wing walking occurred in 1911, it was, in fact, popularized by a young lieutenant in the US Army Air Service—the forerunner of the modern-day Air Force—during World War I. An exceptional pilot and flight instructor, the young, handsome Texan, Ormer Locklear, enlisted too late to see combat. He did, however, have occasion to twice climb onto the fuselage of his Curtis Jenny biplane while in flight: once, to stop a radiator leak, and again, to reattach a spark plug wire. 

Apparently drawn to the danger, Locklear broadened his exposure by crawling to various parts of his plane when aloft, including the wingtip. At one point, he began standing on the wing itself and culminated his derring-do by transferring from one in-flight plane to another. Court-martialed for his actions, the silver-tongued young pilot convinced his superiors that his plane-to-plane transfer should become a useful part of training. Before leaving the service at war’s end, he performed the stunt some 300 times, acquiring the sobriquet “The Human Fly.” 

Locklear caught the attention of Hollywood and was tapped for some stunt work in films. In early August 1920, the Fox Film Company was shooting the last scene of The Skywayman , in which it would appear that Locklear’s flaming plane was plummeting to Earth. Fireworks were attached to the fuselage to provide the impression of fire. Locklear put his plane into a steep dive after igniting the pyrotechnics, and either blinded by the fireworks or having misjudged his altitude, he crashed. Both he and his copilot died instantly in the fiery wreck. 

Ormer’s death did nothing to discourage others from performing daring stunts while aloft. In fact, state fairs saw a significant leap in attendance whenever a “flying circus” was in town. The performers were, for the most part, young women, many of whom left what they saw as their dull lives for the thrills, celebrity, and money that aerial performances could bring. 

Feature image from Shutterstock  

Article originally published in the March/April 2024 issue of Missouri Life.

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Carol Pilon jumps onto the wing of a red vintage airplane and hangs on as it lifts off. Slowly and steadily, she switches from a horizontal position, with her body parallel to the plane’s cockpit, to standing atop the plane with the full brunt of the wind in her face. The only thing keeping her from falling into oblivion is her grip on a few wires strung between the top and bottom wings.

“I don’t view it as incredibly dangerous; I view it as incredibly challenging,” says Pilon, a professional wingwalker—one of only a handful in North America.

The art of moving about on the wing of a flying plane is almost as old as aviation itself. About a century ago, an army lieutenant named Ormer Locklear demonstrated (on a bet with his superiors) that his World War I aircraft could still fly while he operated a firearm on its wing. After that feat, he became an aeronautical stuntman and popularized barnstorming shows with performers walking on the wings of planes. Locklear died in a stunt accident in 1920, but wingwalking lived on.

In her 17 years as a pro, Pilon has achieved many firsts in her field. She was the first and only female wingwalker to perform on a jet-propelled aircraft, the first and only Canadian wingwalker (she’s based in Ste. Cécile de Masham, Quebec), and the first wingwalker to own and operate a team, Third Strike Wingwalking , in North America.

“A typical wingwalking team is a pilot who owns an airplane who hires a wingwalker,” Pilon explains. In her team, Pilon owns two aircraft, hires and trains the aerobatic pilots, and mentors and employs other wingwalkers, in addition to performing in air shows across North America and Europe. Pilon is also a Federal Aviation Administration-certified airframe technician.

National Geographic Adventure chatted with Pilon to learn more about her sport and to find out what’s going through her mind while she’s up in the air. (See part one and part two of National Geographic's 360-video with Pilon.)

Pilon stands on the top wing of her vintage biplane.

You wanted to be a wingwalker after seeing a commercial for an air show on TV. How did you go from that point to actually doing it?

I was about 20, and that was the first time I had ever seen wingwalking. I saw the commercial and I just said, "No way is that a person walking around on an airplane." I just knew that that was going to be the rest of my life.

I had no idea what it would take to make that happen, but I stuck with it. It took me seven years of begging, pleading, and downright stalking every wingwalking team in North America before I got up on a wing.

The problem is that it’s inherently quite dangerous, but it has nothing to do with me falling off. The danger comes from me destroying the airplane accidentally or the airplane itself having a mechanical problem—these are old aircraft. It takes time for people to get used to you; they’re not going to let just anybody up on their airplane, because they are taking a huge risk. It’s very hard to break into, [but] I finally got a ride on the airplane that you see in [the National Geographic] video. I ended up buying the first plane I ever walked on.

On the heels of that experience I approached Franklin’s Flying Circus , who was at that point looking for a new wingwalker. That’s where I got the bulk of my education, tutelage, and mentorship.

How did you learn to do the routines?

The way you learn is by walking on the airplane while it’s grounded. You’re expected to repeat the same maneuver for 12 hours a day for about two days to ingrain muscle memory. The first time you’re up in the air, you get overwhelmed. Your senses just get soft, and the wind is louder than the engine—it’s just howling at you. Your body knows what to do, and that’s the initial step. Then you’re on your way to being able to learn the rest. It’s 17 years later for me, and I’m not anywhere close to being done learning.

In the National Geographic video, you grab on to a succession of handholds while you’re standing on the wing. What’s actually going on out there?

The art of wingwalking involves traversing that lower wing and repositioning yourself upstairs, coming back down and going to the bottom wing, and sometimes moving about the airplane. There are two lockdown positions in my repertoire. One is where I’m lying down on the javelin, where I’m hooked onto flying wires and I’ve got a piece of wood—that’s a javelin—sustaining my body on the wing brace. The other is upstairs in the stanchions. Any time I’m not in one of those two lockdown positions, I’m moving about the airplane, and that is actually the wingwalking portion of the routine.

Is it scary? It sounds scary.

It’s awesomely fun. A lot of people think it’s a rush, but I’ve never once gotten a rush out of wingwalking. It has always been about focus, about concentration, and the pursuit of excellence for me. It just speaks to me for some reason; it’s just what I’m supposed to be doing.

How fast is the plane flying while you’re walking?

My plane right now has a max speed—or what we call a VNE, or “do not exceed” speed—of 187 miles an hour. I regularly do 140 to 160 miles an hour when we’re diving for aerobatic maneuvers. The original aircraft had a max speed of 65 miles an hour, so that’s a big gap. Once I even wingwalked on a biplane that was equipped with a jet for a time, so we could do 200 miles an hour straight up, straight down, sideways, it didn’t matter—we had the turbo underneath it. But 200 is where I top out—things get pretty nasty after that.

When you’re up there and focused on your position, what’s going through your mind?

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It’s so great—nothing! And that’s what makes it so incredible. The only thing I need to be concerned about at that moment in time is, What’s my next handhold? What’s my next foothold? Do I have a secure grip before I let go of the other thing I’m holding on to? My world becomes super, supersimple.

I mean, you’re also looking for other things when you’re doing shows. You’re gauging where you are in the routine. You’re checking in with your pilot to make sure everything’s still copacetic. You’re scanning the horizon to make sure a bird isn’t coming at you. But that’s the kind of stuff that’s all happening in the periphery. The only thing that’s happening in the center of all that is next handhold, next foothold. There’s a lot riding on that next handhold!

What do you love most about wingwalking?

The freedom. It’s not just freedom like, I’m soaring through the air, it’s the freedom of, I’m ultimately responsible for my own survival. Once you’ve tasted that kind of freedom, there’s just no giving it back. It’s empowering. It’s human triumph over adversity and being willing to put yourself out there in that environment and challenging yourself to that degree.

What’s next for you?

The biggest issue is that the wingwalking industry is so incredibly competitive that it doesn’t foster [mentorship] to a huge degree. I want to build an industry where we can go out and share our art in a noncompetitive way. I want to change the face of air shows. I hope to have 20 wingwalkers working for me, which would be more than are working in the entire world right now. They’d have a place where they could freely teach each other and actually earn a living from this. I want to create a world where wingwalking can thrive.

My goal is to, through performances, try to educate people about aviation, to make them see that there’s a different side to aviation that’s not about wars or destruction; it can be about happiness and joy. I hope to be able to inspire someone to go out and follow the passion that’s in their heart.

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• AERIAL SPORTS

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