Girls, 9, become youngest formation wing-walkers

Agreed, but at 9yrs old, children are not deemed capable of making their own decisions.

I don’t think so, unless they’ve lowered the age of legal consent (as one example). No, 9 year olds are not recognized as being capable of making their own decisions.
They can’t move out of their parent’s home, quit school, drink, etc..

Eureka!

That explains a lot, Mike. I knew that there had to be a reason for what I’ve become in adult life. It’s clear that I didn’t live a proper childhood because I didn’t go wing walking during it. I think that I shall start a petition urging the Government to introduce legislation providing for free wing walking sessions for all under tens. I wouldn’t want that generation to end up like me!

I’d much rather see them up there in comparative safety and totally aware of what they’re doing than on the ground, texting with iphone plugs in their ears and totally unaware of whats happening around them as they walk the streets.

That’s the besst justification I’ve seen yety for letting them do it. We are far too willing to wrap youngsters in cotton wool rather than letting them live a proper childhood.

I saw this on the news today. Their grandfather is Vic Norman who’s a pilot with the Breitling wingwalkers so they were in familiar territory.

Personally I think it’s refreshing in this day and age to see kids do something like this.

Er slightly more than just one of the pilots, he founded and owns the team and the aircraft 🙂

I never thought I’d be jealous of a 9 year old girl, and yet here I am! Can I have a go if I ask really REALLY nicely??? pleeeeeeeeaseeee 😉 A very big well done to them both 🙂

good cause too! To save confusion – the charity awareness

Oo err

I wonder if Gloucestershire Social Services have yet been informed!

I believe one of them has a brother who became the youngest solo wing walker at the age of eight. I think it was a couple of years ago. I think it’s a great thing for them to be doing. Although obviously it was all properly arranged as a parent I have to admire the whole family because they are having to put a lot of faith in the aircraft, which at the end of the day is a mechanical machine that could go wrong no matter how well it’s maintained. It would turn what’s left of my grey hair completely white if it was my lad up there but he would love to do it.

I’d much rather see them up there in comparative safety and totally aware of what they’re doing than on the ground, texting with iphone plugs in their ears and totally unaware of whats happening around them as they walk the streets.

Good for you. We are far too protective of our young these days.

I saw this on the news today. Their grandfather is Vic Norman who’s a pilot with the Breitling wingwalkers so they were in familiar territory.

Personally I think it’s refreshing in this day and age to see kids do something like this.

I’m with #5 and #6 , though it can lead to grey hair for parents , I allowed and assisted my off spring to skydive at a very young age , who went on to become a BASE jumper !

They have probably spent lots of time with their grandad around those aircraft, and more than likely know more about wing walking than you give them credit for.

Spot on

Seconded.

They have probably spent lots of time with their grandad around those aircraft, and more than likely know more about wing walking than you give them credit for.

I can see why there might be some reservations over allowing youngsters to do this sort of thing but they are probably safer doing that than sitting at home on some of the social networking sites or worrying about how they look, what they weigh and the myriad other stresses of life as a youngster today. Better an introduction to adventure; an experience they won’t forget and which will begin a long and happy relationship with flying ( inside or outside the plane) and historic aircraft.

Agreed, but at 9yrs old, children are not deemed capable of making their own decisions.
They have no comprehension of the risks involved. To them it’s just a bit of fun.

I see where you are coming from. But it’s happened, no way I would have let a daughter of mine do it at 9.
But ‘wing walking’ when strapped in properly is a safe as flying in the cockpit, as long as the pilot takes into account of the extra drag. They are tiny girls so the a/c performance compared with an adult would be negligible and I’m sure the pilots are not new to this.

I think I might have one or two issues with this.
Their age being one.