What’s even better than getting paid to fly? Having a truly fantastic flying career. Ever thought about becoming a display pilot? Here’s how to get there – and make a living from the air
Yayeri van Baarsen
29 October 2022
Who?
Martyn Carrington flies formation aerobatics in a 1940s Boeing Super Stearman biplane with a wingwalker climbing around the aircraft. He’s the Chief Pilot of AeroSuperBatics, the world’s only aerobatic formation wingwalking team, and has performed in Europe, Japan, China, Australia, India, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE and the Philippines.
What’s it like?
The acrobats of the sky – display pilots leave the public gasping and cheering as they perform at airshows all over the world. They either display with wingwalkers, in vintage aircraft, or close formation aerobatics – or a combination of all three. Apart from performing, in this job you’re dealing with logistics and liaising with engineers, sponsors and corporate contacts. Some display pilots also take up passengers to give them a taste of this exciting flying.
Martyn Carrington said: “During displays, the wingwalker influences the aeroplane’s performance. It’s not as aerodynamic and you feel more drag – you could compare it to flying a more modern aircraft with undercarriage and flaps down. We communicate through hand signals (via a cockpit mirror), rocking our wings to get their attention. I’m usually number two wingman, as I enjoy the challenge of formation flying. My favourite move is when I roll upside-down and another aircraft comes underneath, mirroring our movements – with absolutely perfect conditions, the girls can touch each others’ hands.’
Who fits the role?
Historic aircraft enthusiasts for whom aviation is a passion, rather than just work – in this career, expect a lot of time talking to fellow enthusiasts after the show. You need great flying skills. Aerobatics is getting the right balance between demonstrating nice manoeuvres and not going over the edge. And, it’s not just flying displays, but what about taking up members of the public? In that case you’ll also need good personal skills… it’s not about you showing off, it’s about your passengers having fun.
How to get there?
Although there’s no specific path to becoming a wingwalk display pilot, having lots of tailwheel and formation experience in a biplane is essential. Many display pilots have a military background or are already experienced aerobatic pilots before they start performing.
Martyn Carrington: “After working as a flight instructor, I spent seven years at Duxford flying the Tiger Moth and Dragon Rapide. Before joining the AeroSuperBatics team, I’d never done any hard-core formation stuff, like a formation loop, so I trained in the former Unipart RF4 motor gliders before moving onto the Stearman.”
Why?
Martyn Carrington: “Flying upside down in an open-cockpit aeroplane makes me feel alive and realise that what we’re doing is quite unique. I’m a great fan of vintage aeroplanes. Our 1940s Boeing Stearmans are light and basic, with only a few dials and levers. They become an extension of you: everything the aircraft does is down to your input. It’s flying by the seat of your pants, exposed to the elements.”
“It’s also great that nowadays members of the general public can try wingwalking. I always gauge the person to see if they’re more a ‘walk-in-the-park’ or a ‘rollercoaster’ type. Some are nervous, but afterwards, they’re over the moon! We receive hugs and even Christmas cards, and this appreciation reminds me of how special this job is.”
Any tips?
Display flying is hard to get into as it’s a dream of many pilots. Therefore, if this is your goal, be sure to never give up.
Martyn Carrington: “If you want something, go and do it. My family couldn’t afford lessons, so I became an airfield gopher, but if that hadn’t worked out, I’d have tried another way. Just keep going – in the end you’ll get there.”
