Kirsten Takes Flight: From Wingwalking to Solo Pilot
Kirsten has always been at home in the skies, but usually, she’s standing on the wing of our 1940’s Biplane, performing daring stunts for crowds below. Now, she’s stepping into a new kind of challenge, learning to fly herself!
Her first solo flight was a milestone she had been working toward for months at Freedom Aviation, Kemble and the experience was everything she hoped it would be… and more.
“The moments before takeoff were nerve-wracking” Kirsten admits, recalling the day she was left alone in the cockpit for the first time.
“The transition from having an instructor beside me to suddenly being on my own was so swift that I didn’t really have time to process it – I think that was probably a good thing!”
For Kirsten, the challenge of learning to fly has been as much mental as technical.
“Some of the exams were mind-boggling, but hard work and persistence really do make it manageable”
Her time as a Professional Wingwalker, though, gave her a solid foundation.
“Wingwalking and flying are both exhilarating, but in very different ways” she explains.
“Being out on the wing feels natural to me. Flying has been a steep learning curve, but my experience wingwalking has given me a strong understanding of safety and the general rules of aviation. It’s been really helpful”
The first solo itself was unforgettable. Taking off, she remembers thinking
“There’s no turning back now!”
But that fear quickly turned into focus and confidence.
“Once I was in the air, I reminded myself to just keep doing what I’d been taught. By the time I landed safely, it was one of the best moments of my life”
Mentorship has played a huge role in Kirsten’s journey. David Barrell, the team’s Lead Display Pilot, has been her guiding force.
“He’s always been an inspiration to me” she says. “Having him teach me to fly has been a huge privilege. I just want to make him proud”
Looking ahead, Kirsten is already dreaming of future adventures. She can’t wait to take to the skies with her wingwalking partner, Emma, now that both are on the path to earning their pilot’s licenses.
“We’ve got some really cool adventures planned” she says with a smile. “Watch out, Dave and all our other Display Pilots!”
Kirsten’s journey from Professional Wingwalker to Solo Pilot is a story of courage, dedication, and the thrill of learning something new. For her, it’s not just about standing on the wing or taking control of the cockpit, it’s about embracing challenges and proving to herself that she can rise to any occasion, one flight at a time.
