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Thank you so much for your hospitality and a fantastic wing walking experience! We had a blast; it's truly something I will remember for the rest of my life!! One 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!
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.
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.
Wing walking with a safety harness and cable is in itself relatively safe. As with many outdoor activities and flying in general there are inherent risks. We take steps to mitigate these risk such as conducting wing walking flights at a safe altitude, use of safety equipment and thorough training. We are not operating in the air show environment so we can operate at higher altitudes which permits much greater safety margins.
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.
We have never had anyone fall.
Schedule your training and wing walking adventure today!
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.
Whether you are a professional football player or soccer mom looking for a challenge, Marilyn is the one to see.
Mike was taught to fly by his grandfather, air show pilot and Lockheed test pilot, Sammy Mason.
“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
