Wing Walking in Yorkshire

Ever wanted to be part of a flying circus? Now you can!

Stand on the wing of a 1940’s Boeing Stearman Biplane flown by a highly qualified pilot.

Complete a variety of flypasts and manoeuvres with the highlight being a dive from 500ft and a zoom climb with a final “Run and Break” before landing.

Families and friends can watch in admiration and take lots of pictures!

The plane is a Boeing Stearman PT17 Kaydet designed in the 1930’s as a Pilot trainer in the USA. The aircraft has been fully restored and painted in the original US Navy colours,and is fitted with the more powerful 300hp Lycoming engine.

The wing walking rig is fixed to the top wing of the Stearman. It is designed to make the Wingwalk or wing-ride as comfortable as possible with a special 5-position Safety Harness strapping the Wing Walker securely in place.

Flight tests were carried out by a CAA test pilot with a 6ft, 170lb dummy (named Jake!) to determine maximum speed allowable, and any changes in the handling of the aircraft and general performance, all of which were passed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Your pilot, Mike, has 4900 flying hours and has performed over 2000 Air Displays on three continents, Europe, Asia and South America. As one of the most experienced Wingwalking pilots in the world, he has participated in setting various records including a Wingwalkers hand-touch between two aircraft, and a plane to plane transfer, as well as flying Tom Lakey who at 85 was the oldest Wingwalker ever to do a “loop the loop”, and again in 2009 entered the Guinness Book of Records for Wing Walking across the English Channel in his 90th year. Mike holds a UK Display Authorisation and is an Approved Examiner of Display Pilots.

Special terms for this event ...

This event is organised and supplied by Wingwalk buzz whose terms and conditions apply. Public Liability Insurance is arranged by Wingwalk buzz and Confirmation of Insurance is available on request. For availability and bookings, please contact Spice.

Weight restriction: The upper weight limit is 12 stone 2 lbs / 77 kilos

Age: Wingwalkers must be aged 18 years or over. There is no actual upper age limit to participate in a Wingwalk.

Medical: Please note that if you suffer from any of the conditions listed below or are aged 65 years or above you require a Doctor to sign and stamp the medical form. The conditions are: Epilepsy, fits, severe head or neck injury, recurrent blackouts, fainting fits or giddiness, disease of the brain or nervous system, high blood pressure, heart or lung disease, recurrent weakness or dislocation of any limb, diabetes (Type 1), mental illness, drug or alcohol addiction.

You will be sent a fitness form. It is very important that you read the form carefully to know whether you need to have the declaration of fitness signed by your Doctor before completing your Wingwalk. If you are unsure after reading the Form then you must seek advice from your doctor. Wingwalk.Buzz staff cannot advise on fitness to Wingwalk. Medical concerns raised with our staff on the day of your Wingwalk will result in you being referred back to your doctor. A rebook fee of £50 will also apply. It is your responsibility to be truthful on your medical history.

On the day: Please be aware that waiting time is inevitable with Wingwalking. You must be available for 2/3 hours following your arrival at the centre, to complete your Wingwalk. If you cannot commit this time, please discuss your requirements with the staff on arrival, who will endeavour to help, but if you choose to leave early you may be charged a £50 rebooking fee.

Payments: Once the date of your Wingwalk is booked you are required to give a minimum of 28 days notice to change the date and an admin fee of £25 per person will be charged. If you wish to transfer your Wingwalk to another member a fee of £25 will apply. If less than 28 days notice is given a £50 rebook fee will apply. Customers who do not show up on the day of their Wingwalk for any reason will incur a rebook fee of £100. Failure to attend or rebook within 12 months will result in loss of all money paid.

Cancellation: There is also the possibility of short notice cancellation due to weather, mechanical problems with our aircraft, staff illness or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. Wingwalk.Buzz will not be liable for any costs such as travel or accommodation incurred by the participant in such circumstances.

Rebooking: If you are unable to complete your Wingwalk after arrival on the day, you can simply rebook with Wingwalk.Buzz at no extra fee to a mutually agreed date within 12 months of each attempt (which may need to be repeated as many times as necessary to complete your first flight).

Training brief: A training brief will take place, prior to your Wingwalk. You will be required to attend the brief on the day of your Wingwalk, even if you have been before.

Alcohol: No alcohol is permitted at the airfield. Also please be responsible the night before your Wingwalk. Common sense please!

Spectators: Family and friends are very welcome. We have catering facilities on the airfield. Dogs are not permitted on the airfield.

Insurance: When you Wingwalk, you are covered by third party insurance arranged by Wingwalk Buzz. You are not covered for personal injury.

Wingwalk staff: There is a zero tolerance abuse policy at Wingwalk.Buzz Please advise your family and friends that 'Bad Weather Days' are not under our control. Abuse from participants and/or their friends and family will NOT be tolerated. Right of admission is reserved.

Covid Guidelines ...

Please take note of the following guidelines whilst we are affected by the COVID 19 virus:

• No staff or customer on the government at risk list are permitted at the airfield.
• The following symptoms may develop 14 days after exposure to someone who has the COVID 19 infection: Cough, difficulty in breathing, fever, Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions such COPD. If you are concerned about your own health contact NHS 111, your GP or a medical practitioner, please notify us by phone and do not attend your Wingwalk.
• Wingwalker and spectators will park in the car park put aside and signposted for Wingwalk.Buzz (on the left as soon as you have entered the main entrance.
• Wingwalkers and spectators will be chaperoned by the Wingwalk.Buzz team so as to not mix with other users of the Aerodrome.
• The use of public transport should be avoided.
• Wingwalk customers checking in at the same arrival time please adhere to social distancing guidelines and will have a temperature check on arrival. We have limited the number of customers for each arrival time. Wingwalkers will be brought to their brief by a member of Wingwalk.Buzz staff.
• Video safety brief to take place in Hangar 13 in the presence of a member of the Wingwalk.Buzz staff. Staff and customers will wear face coverings and maintain social distancing guidelines.
• We will have hand cleaning stations appointed around the area, please use them regularly
• Check in staff will maintain social distancing guidelines or to use a face mask
• When making payments Card machines will be wiped clean after use.
• Wingwalk Buzz Staff Members will wear face covering maintain social distance where possible.
• Equipment to be separated prior to gearing up so as to limit contact with clean gear.
• Wingwalkers will not use jumpsuits and wear their own clothing, tracksuit bottoms and a sweatshirt are ideal, no hoodies please and no loose clothing.
• Goggles will be sanitised and cleaned with antibacterial spray or wipes between uses
• When being fitted to the harness, both wingwalker and staff member to be wearing masks. Mask can be taken off when being strapped in but must be put back on when being released and helped down from the wing.
• Please bring your own gloves if required.
• The parts of the aircraft that have been in contact with the wingwalker will be sanitised between use.
• Toilets and washing facilities will be wiped down regularly throughout the day and will be deep cleaned either prior to or after operations take place
• All spectators must adhere to government social distancing guidelines.