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 business 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.
As of December 20, 2009, the American Barnstormer Double Trouble Wing Walking Team was just the second airshow team to reach over 1,000 fans on their Facebook page*.
Most of all, Jenny loves sharing the message 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 addition to the American Barnstormer Double Trouble team, Tyson Rininger. Tyson was already a familiar personality to the airshow industry and wing walking was merely the "next step" for him. Jenny feels that she not only trained Tyson, but certainly learned a lot from him, as well.
*Fan numbers were based on research running searches for airshow team pages & groups and individuals on Facebook on 12/20/2009; if we inadvertently missed any teams, we apologize.
Becoming a Barnstormer...
American Barnstormer's 'Double Trouble' act is the longest running tandem wing walker act in North America.
