Barnstormers...
"They were the most exciting daredevils of their day. Stunt pilots and aerialists--or "barnstormers" as they became known--performed almost any trick or feat with an airplane that people could imagine. During the 1920s, barnstorming became one of the most popular forms of entertainment. It was also the first major form of civil aviation in the history of flight. For many pilots and stunt people,
barnstorming provided an exciting and invigorating way to make a living, not to mention a
challenging outlet for their creativity and showmanship."
Jenny Forsythe was asked to become a part of the
American Barnstormer team in 2005. Training began that fall and continued through Sun 'n Fun 2006 where she made her first public debut with pilot Walt Pierce and co-wing walker Nicole (Rodriguez) Hansen, Walt's grand-daughter.
By joining the American Barnstormer team, Jenny became the first wingwalker to perform professionally on both monoplanes and biplanes - and in the same season. Jenny thrived on the challenges she encountered with each and enjoyed the creativity she was able to express by working with such diverse aircraft. However, in early September 2007, she chose to part ways with the monoplane team, as she found her ethics and values were much more in line with those shared by the American Barnstormer team.
American Barnstormer believes in creating & maintaining relationships with the show producers & staff they work with and in providing the highest standards of safety and quality performances through integrity. They also strive to foster a relationship with their fans and to bring new fans into the airshow industry through interaction on social media sites such as Facebook.
Though Jenny hasn't always enjoyed being in the spotlight, she has learned it has its benefits. Jenny loves being able to share the message with tens and hundreds of thousands of people each year that even kids who experience low self-esteem can grow up to do amazing things. "Never underestimate yourself - you just never know where your life is going to lead you," is something she shares often in interviews.
Team Website:
More recently, Jenny had the opportunity to train the latest additions to the American Barnstormer Double Trouble team, including Tyson Rininger in early 2009 and Kimmy Stewart and Ashley Ryerson in late 2009 & 2010. Tyson was already a familiar personality to the airshow industry and wing walking was merely the "next step" for him. Kimmy and Ashley are both affiliated with Red Stewart Airfield and are both pilots. They have been flying with Kimmy's father-in-law, 'Cub' Stewart, at the controls of the family's 220 hp Army-schemed Stearman, and comprise the other half of the NEW Double Trouble team. Jenny feels that she not only trained these three, but certainly learned a lot from them, as well.
Becoming a Barnstormer...
American Barnstormer's 'Double Trouble' act brings a creative twist to wing walking at air shows in North America.
