Gene Soucy's Partner Didn't Always Think of Wing Walking

By Maria Morrison

In Houston, TX, 25 years ago, Teresa Stokes saw someone wing walking for the first time. Although it was never part of the young pilot's plan, she found herself filling in for Gene Soucy's cancelled wing walker just two weeks before an air show. Wearing a suit, helmet, goggles, gloves, and special thin-soled sneakers, Teresa got up on the wing of Gene's Showcat. She trained herself, trying out new moves, first on the ground, then in the air.          

Once a routine is established, Teresa and Gene don't change it. She said that it is extremely important to know exactly what is going to happen next, and get everything timed perfectly to keep both the walker and the plane stable. By Teresa's second show, she was on top of the wing with a set routine.

Teresa was the only one of five kids that likes flying. Her parents were both pilots, and her dad performed in air shows. Teresa got her private pilot’s license, instrument license, and commercial license rather early in her life. A couple years ago, Gene took Teresa's youngest sister on a flight in his Showcat, the only time that she actually enjoyed flying.

As a kid, Teresa never thought of being a wing walker. In fact, she hardly knew a thing about wing walking in general. She was an aerobatic pilot, but when she met Gene and saw his wing walker, she thought that it looked "fun and exciting." She said that if someone wanted to be a wing walker, the first step would be to get a great pilot. "Not a good pilot" she said "it has to be a great pilot. Never get on the wing of a plane controlled by someone that isn't proven to be great at low level aerobatics."

When asked about her favorite thing in aviation, Teresa was overwhelmed with ideas. She loves the accomplishment you feel when you are able to complete a flight. She says that it is fun, and that she loves meeting new people. However, most of her favorite memories and ideas came back to the amazing view. She has amazing photos of the world from an open cockpit. "Being on a wing or in the front open cockpit is cold, rough, and windy, "Teresa said, "but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

FMI: http://teresastokes.com