In 2005, three wingwalking teams, Bob Essell Airshows, American Barnstormer, and Silver Wings Wingwalking Team, created an alliance to share wingwalking "trade secrets," help with advertising expenses, preserve wingwalking history, and network together for airshows to provide family friendly wingwalking entertainment. At this time the venture was a small seed - little did they anticipate the beauty this blossom would grow to.
In the spring of 2006 all three teams united in preparing for the airshow season. Jenny Forsythe, wingwalker with her father's team, Bob Essell Airshows, was preparing to wingwalk with Walt Pierce of American Barnstormer fame as well. Ol' Smokey, the American Barnstormer Stearman, was undergoing routine maintenance. Jenny, wanting to get some more advanced spring training in before their Sun 'n' Fun show came out to sunny California to practice with Margaret Stivers and the Silver Wings Wingwalking Team.
Fast forward to fall 2006, September 27th.
Margaret Stivers was in ballet class when, doing a very simple plie to relieve, she went down clutching her knee. (The knee had not been troubling her other than some stiffness the previous week during her sleep. Up until that ballet class, she was still able to continue her workouts six days a week and wingwalk.) The next day, September 28, Margaret found a knee specialist, Dr. Fox of Synergy Performance Group, and went in for an appointment and an MRI.
The diagnosis was torn cartilage and arthroscpic surgery was for scheduled October 4.
Margaret's fall airshow schedule was busy with important shows; MCAS Miramar Airshow and Edwards Air Force Base Airshow. Margaret's first thought was how to make the show go on despite her injury. In her words." It's not about the individual, but about the team. It's about being a part of a bigger whole and inspiring the audience."
The Silver Wings Wingwalking Team's first choice to step into Margaret's wingwalking shoes was Jenny Forsythe. Jenny without hesitation said yes.
Margaret called the respective shows and broke the news.
Again in her words,
"Making those phone calls was very difficult. I knew I was the glitch in the system. Fortunately everyone was very supportive and understanding.
Mr Rick Soule and Ed Downum at the Miramar Airshow were wonderful to me. I was feeling low about letting them down but they completely welcomed Jenny. I was hoping I could wingwalk by Edwards but when I realized I still needed time to recover, I called up Mr. Peter Jewel and Major Auld at Edwards Air Force Base. They backed up my decision and encouraged me to concentrate on my healing process.
For those two shows I thought I would feel awkward being grounded but Jenny and Hartley (the pilot and my husband,) performed such magical acts that I was very proud of them and very proud of our team.
Jenny did an outstanding job and I want to thank her. The shows went on smoothly. I want to thank everyone. People were willing to go the extra mile to help me."
Margaret's recovery is slow and steady.
On January first, 2007, Margaret braved the wind and climbed to wing for the first time since her surgury.
The American Wingwalking Alliance has taken root and is blooming. The members have a renewed strength and belief in each other. The alliance has gone beyond sharing ideas to putting them in motion together.
They know that when there are setbacks they can count on each other and the airshow community and family.
* Thank you to the Jackie Cochran Airhsow for sending the Silver WIngs Wingwalking Team VIP tickets.
