With Heavy Heart, Farewell to Wing Walker Jane Wicker

Wing Walker Jane Wicker Hanging with Her Ankles from Her Biplane at the Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda, Fla., March 24, 2013

A CNN Alert popped up on my iPhone this afternoon stating: “A stunt plane with a wing walker aboard has crashed at an air show in Dayton, Ohio, according to the FAA.”

My stomach sank and I hoped the wing walker wasn’t who I thought it was. Soon after, I received a phone call confirming the worst. Jane Walker, daughter, mother, friend, fiancee and wing walker, was the one who died in the crash today with pilot Charlie Schwenker. She was 45-years-old. They were performing at the 2013 Vectren Dayton Air Show.

Jane Wicker, Wing Walker, at the Florida International Air Show Media Day, Punta Gorda, Fla., March 21, 2013

Earlier this year I introduced you to Jane Wicker, one of the featured performers during the Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda, Fla. Not only did I meet this fearless flyer, I took a ride in her plane, sitting in the same seat she did when performing.

That's Me in the Front, Pilot Bill Gordon and Jane Wicker. She Just Buckled Me into Her Seat, Punta Gorda, Fla., March 21, 2013. — That’s Me in the Front, Pilot Bill Gordon and Jane Wicker. She Just Buckled Me into Her Seat, Punta Gorda, Fla., March 21, 2013.

It’s hard knowing what to say when tragedy happens. I extend my deepest condolences to her family and the air show community.

Other than meeting her during the Florida International Air Show and seeing her perform throughout that weekend, I really didn’t know Wicker. I can say her enthusiasm, zest for life and determination for following her passion was inspiring. She had a care-free attitude yet safety was her priority. She knew wing walking was dangerous and took every precaution within her control for a safe performance.

We don’t know how much time we have on this planet. Cut away what drains you and fill your life with passions, desires and happiness that fulfill you. Life is too short.

Rest is peace, Jane Wicker.

Jenn

Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.