| Watch a video of Jenny's work: www.americanbarnstorm er.com/Video.html |
Wingwalker
I am an airshow wingwalker – I stand on top of a plane while it is flying and
doing acrobatics. I live in Cleveland, OH. I am single and have a couple
cats and a ferret. From the time I was very young, I have always had
dreams of flying, but I never even got to ride on a commercial airline until I
was 15 years old. I first started going to airshows in 2002 when I was
nearly 32 years old. I helped a wingwalking team with gruntwork to start
with, and then two years later became a wingwalker myself after the other
wingwalker retired. A light sport aircraft was the first type of plane I
performed on, but then I became involved with other teams and learned
how to perform on Stearman biplanes, as well. I now perform mostly with
American Barnstormer where there are two girls who walk the wings of the
biplane.
In order to learn how to wingwalk, I first had to learn how to do everything
while the plane was still on the ground. It is sort of like learning a dance –
you learn exactly where to step and what to hold onto and you keep
practicing that until you know it well. Once you know the routine, then
you get to do it all in the air while the plane is flying. It is very windy up
there, so you have to hold on tight and concentrate on your routine.
Once you are in place on the plane, then you can take a little time to wave
to the crowd below and even do a little sightseeing while you’re up there.
Some wingwalkers only do the wingwalking (performing) part of the job,
but others, like myself, also learn to be businesswomen. We take an
active role in promoting and marketing our teams to the various airshows
that hire performers for their events. This means we have to be good
writers, good speakers, and knowledgeable about our aircraft and airshow
history. It also helps if you know how to use something like a photo
editor and are able to build and/or edit websites. Before I went to my first
airshow, I was working as a scientist; I have degrees in chemistry and
geology. My college education definitely helped me with the business side
of my new airshow career. Because I adapted well to being able to market
my team, I have had other airshow teams ask me to work as their Public
Relations and Marketing person, like the B-25 bomber, Pacific Prowler.
Being versatile in working with several teams at a time is important if you
want to earn all your income from airshows.
One of the best things about working with airshow teams is that I get to
travel a lot. I mostly travel in the United States, but have also performed
in other countries overseas. I get to meet a lot of different kinds of
people and that makes life much more interesting.
I did not know what my passion and mission in life was going to be while I
was growing up and had nearly lost hope on ever finding my special little
place in this world. But, after being involved as a grunt at airshows, I
knew I would someday fly on the wings of planes. Having hope and taking
opportunities to do such wonderful things when they present themselves
is very important, so I try to spread that message of hope while I am
performing as a wingwalker. Some people find their passion early in life,
others of us bloom a little later, but we all do bloom eventually. Never lose
hope! The most ordinary of kids can grow up to do some of the most
extraordinary things.
DREAM IT… LIVE IT… SHARE IT!
Jenny’s personal website: www.JennyForsythe.com
Jenny’s American Barnstormer team website: www.AmericanBarnstormer.
com
Jenny’s email: Jenny@AmericanBarnstormer.com
I am an airshow wingwalker – I stand on top of a plane while it is flying and
doing acrobatics. I live in Cleveland, OH. I am single and have a couple
cats and a ferret. From the time I was very young, I have always had
dreams of flying, but I never even got to ride on a commercial airline until I
was 15 years old. I first started going to airshows in 2002 when I was
nearly 32 years old. I helped a wingwalking team with gruntwork to start
with, and then two years later became a wingwalker myself after the other
wingwalker retired. A light sport aircraft was the first type of plane I
performed on, but then I became involved with other teams and learned
how to perform on Stearman biplanes, as well. I now perform mostly with
American Barnstormer where there are two girls who walk the wings of the
biplane.
In order to learn how to wingwalk, I first had to learn how to do everything
while the plane was still on the ground. It is sort of like learning a dance –
you learn exactly where to step and what to hold onto and you keep
practicing that until you know it well. Once you know the routine, then
you get to do it all in the air while the plane is flying. It is very windy up
there, so you have to hold on tight and concentrate on your routine.
Once you are in place on the plane, then you can take a little time to wave
to the crowd below and even do a little sightseeing while you’re up there.
Some wingwalkers only do the wingwalking (performing) part of the job,
but others, like myself, also learn to be businesswomen. We take an
active role in promoting and marketing our teams to the various airshows
that hire performers for their events. This means we have to be good
writers, good speakers, and knowledgeable about our aircraft and airshow
history. It also helps if you know how to use something like a photo
editor and are able to build and/or edit websites. Before I went to my first
airshow, I was working as a scientist; I have degrees in chemistry and
geology. My college education definitely helped me with the business side
of my new airshow career. Because I adapted well to being able to market
my team, I have had other airshow teams ask me to work as their Public
Relations and Marketing person, like the B-25 bomber, Pacific Prowler.
Being versatile in working with several teams at a time is important if you
want to earn all your income from airshows.
One of the best things about working with airshow teams is that I get to
travel a lot. I mostly travel in the United States, but have also performed
in other countries overseas. I get to meet a lot of different kinds of
people and that makes life much more interesting.
I did not know what my passion and mission in life was going to be while I
was growing up and had nearly lost hope on ever finding my special little
place in this world. But, after being involved as a grunt at airshows, I
knew I would someday fly on the wings of planes. Having hope and taking
opportunities to do such wonderful things when they present themselves
is very important, so I try to spread that message of hope while I am
performing as a wingwalker. Some people find their passion early in life,
others of us bloom a little later, but we all do bloom eventually. Never lose
hope! The most ordinary of kids can grow up to do some of the most
extraordinary things.
DREAM IT… LIVE IT… SHARE IT!
Jenny’s personal website: www.JennyForsythe.com
Jenny’s American Barnstormer team website: www.AmericanBarnstormer.
com
Jenny’s email: Jenny@AmericanBarnstormer.com
 |
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
TM
