If you clicked on this blog, I assume you want to go on a Wing Walking adventure. Should you do it? Hell yes!
It’s the most unique and thrilling experience I’ve ever had.
It all started with an Instagram post.
I was scrolling through Instagram, and my algorithm, which knows me very well, showed me a reel of someone who had done wingwalking. Without a split second of hesitation, I clicked on the academy’s page and checked out their website.
At the time, this Wing Walking Academy was located in Sequim, WA, though they’ve since moved to Santa Paula, CA. The academy is called Mason Wing Walking, and it’s run by the Mason couple, Mike and Marilyn Mason.
I reached out to them and spoke to Marilyn Mason. She was incredibly friendly and gave me clear directions on what to do and how to proceed. Back then, they only had six slots available per day, and you had to reserve your spot quickly.
I was working in Seattle, WA, at the time, and coincidentally, the academy was just a two-hour drive from there. It felt like the stars had aligned for me to take on this adventure! Without hesitation, I booked a spot for Saturday, May 21, 2022. It’s been almost three years since I did this, but even now, it feels amazing whenever I watch my Wing Walking video or think about the experience.
Drive to Sequim, WA
One big challenge I faced was figuring out how to get to Sequim. I didn’t have a driver’s license at the time, and Sequim is about two hours from Seattle. Luckily, the day before, I spoke to the angel at the reception desk where I was staying, and they helped me find a contact who could arrange a ride, including both drop-off and pick-up.
I called them immediately and managed to book a driver at 11 PM the night before. The plan was set: the driver would pick me up at 7 AM so I could reach Sequim by 9 AM.
I woke up early, got ready, packed my essentials and gear for wingwalking, and was all set to meet my driver, Zeki.
Zeki was a really nice person—polite, cheerful, and always happy. He told me about his lovely family: a wife and two pre-K kids. Originally from Ethiopia, he had such an inspiring story to share.
We started our drive, and in no time, we were on a ferry to Bainbridge Island. This is the easiest route to get to Sequim; otherwise, the drive would have been much longer.
The 40-minute ferry ride was incredible. The sun was rising brightly, casting a golden glow over the beautiful Seattle skyline. On one side, the view was magical, with the skyscrapers lit up against the early morning sky. But on the other side, even though it was May and peak summer, it was very cold, and the wind was too high.
Once off the ferry, we stopped to grab Starbucks coffee for the drive ahead. Sipping coffee while driving through roads lined with tall green trees, with mountains visible in the distance, was a moment of pure bliss.
As we drove, Zeki and I talked about our cultures, Ethiopian and Indian, and the differences and similarities between them. He shared his journey to the U.S., and I shared mine. Between the conversations, we admired the stunning scenery around us: lush forests, rolling fields, and a glimpse of horses running and cows grazing in a town.
At one point, I noticed the landscape changing. That’s when I realized we had arrived in Sequim. My excitement doubled. I noticed something unique, nearly every house near the academy had its own small runway and a personal plane. “Is flying their part-time hobby?” I wondered. It was something entirely new for me to see.
We passed by a farmers’ market. Groups of people were gathered, laughing, chatting, and enjoying their Saturday morning. The whole town seemed alive.
Finally, we reached the Mason Wing Walking Academy at 9:30 AM. I thought I might be late, but to my surprise, I was the first to arrive out of the six slots for the day.
Meeting the team and fellow Adventurers
I met Mike Mason, who was busy working in the plane garage when I arrived. There were two Stearman Aircrafts parked there—a black one and a red one. I asked about their model names, but I’ve forgotten them now. These were the two Stearman planes they used for Wing Walking. I instantly liked the red one and wished I could do the adventure on it, but unfortunately, it wasn’t in the right condition to fly that day.
Slowly, everyone in the six slots started checking in, and we were ready to begin the training around 11 AM.
My name, Rishikesh, isn’t very common—or so I thought. Coincidentally, among the six participants that day, there was another Rishikesh! Maybe people with this name are natural adrenaline junkies. Marilyn, our instructor, assigned me the nickname “Rishi 1” and the other Rishikesh “Rishi 2” to keep things simple.
Among the six participants, I particularly liked Mitchell. She had such a fun and lively personality, and we got along well. Over the years, we’ve stayed in touch and spoken a few times, which I really appreciate.
Training on Solid Ground
I wish I had teachers and professors like Marilyn Mason; I might have achieved so much more in life. She was polite, patient, and friendly, teaching everything step by step. Her humorous and approachable style put everyone at ease.
The training lasted about three hours, during which participants repeated the drill until they felt confident. Marilyn explained the two types of wingwalking they offered:
- Upper Wing: Standing on the upper wing while the pilot performs aerobatic maneuvers.
- Upper and Lower Wing: Starting on the upper wing and transitioning to lying flat on the lower wing, with aerobatics performed throughout.
Marilyn even offered energy bars but suggested eating lightly beforehand.
Pro tip: Avoid heavy meals before Wing Walking, as it can lead to motion sickness.
Wingwalking typically involves flying in a Stearman aircraft to an altitude of around 7,000 feet. Once the pilot signals, participants unbuckle from the cockpit and climb onto the wing using techniques learned during training. Standing on the wing, they secure themselves to the support rod and signal the pilot to begin. From there, the aerobatic maneuvers take the experience to the next level.
Takeoff: Rising to 7,000 Feet
The Sequim airport is about 15 minutes away from the training area. We all headed there together. It’s a charming little airport surrounded by beautiful mountains, greenery, tall trees, a clear blue sky, and fluffy clouds.
At the airport, we picked numbers to decide the order of our flights. I was fourth in line, and guess who went first? Mitchell. When she came back, the look on her face—pure joy, shock, and awe—made me wish I was going second. Waiting for my turn felt endless, and my excitement kept building.
Finally my Turn,
I climbed into the plane with Mike. Marilyn handed me earplugs and warned about turbulence above. I was already wearing gloves and goggles, and my heart was pounding. People on the ground were cheering and wishing me luck. The plane taxied to the runway, its speed picking up along with my heartbeat, and soon, we were airborne..
The View from Above
Wow. Just wow. Since we weren’t flying at a very high altitude, I could see the scenery clearly—houses, fields, and everything about Sequim was breathtaking.
The Moment Arrived
I forgot to mention, communication on the plane happens entirely through hand gestures because of the noise and turbulence. Mike had explained earlier that when he waggled the wings, it was the signal for me to climb up.
And then it happened. The wings waggled. I unbuckled myself from the cockpit and began climbing. The wind was so strong, it felt like it was fighting every move I made. My mouth was flapping uncontrollably, and gripping the rods to climb up took every ounce of strength I had.
Finally, I made it to the top and secured myself with the harness. I signaled Mike with a thumbs-up, and the aerobatics began.
The Thrill of Aerobatics
I couldn’t believe my eyes. From up there, I could see the curve of the Earth. The plane did a complete loop, and I could feel the blood rushing to my head. My mouth went completely dry. Everything below looked tiny, and the world suddenly seemed like a different place altogether.
My favorite part was when we were upside down. I was facing the Earth in complete silence—no wind noise, no turbulence, just a magical, peaceful stillness. In that moment, I felt like the universe was telling me something: to stop worrying so much about the things that happen on Earth. If I stopped, went against the noise, and embraced the stillness, there was peace to be found.
After the aerobatics, Mike flew around the area for a few more minutes. As I stood there, nearly 7,000 feet above the ground, I couldn’t help but marvel at the view—a perspective that only a few people ever get to see.
I Now Believe I Exist
This adventure taught me that some moments in life can’t be described, they can only be felt. As I stood 7,000 feet above the ground, surrounded by silence and peace, I realized the beauty of letting go. Nothing could sum up that feeling better than this poem by Javed Akhtar, recited by Farhan Akhtar in the movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
Pighlay neelam sa behta hua yeh samaan
Neeli neeli si khamoshiyaan
Na kahin hai zameen
Na kahin aasmaan
Sarsaraati huyi tehniyaan, pattiyaan
Keh rahi hain ki bas ek tum ho yahaan
Sirf main hoon meri saansein hain aur meri dhadkanein
Aisi gehraiyaan
Aisi tanhaiyaan
Aur main sirf main
Apne honay pe mujhko yaqeen aa gaya
Translation:
The moment flows by like molten sapphire
Deep Blue silences
No Earth below
No Sky above
The rustling branches and leaves
Saying that only you are here
Only me
My breath
My heartbeat
Such Depth like this
Such Loneliness like this
And me only me
I now believe I exist.
Link to the video: https://www.instagram.com/share/BANyGCGFwQ
Jotting down with Rishi! 