Wingwalking used to be a lot more dangerous
Back in the 1920s, wingwalking claimed lives. Daredevils would move around on the top of a plane’s wings, in mid-flight, often without any harness or any safety line. Maybe they’d be able to clip onto something during takeoff and landing, but maybe not. There are still a few of those true daredevil wingwalkers out there in the world, but in the 21st century… it’s usually a bit different.
Thanks to the team at Aerosuperbatics Wingwalking: http://www.aerosuperbatics.com/ (this isn’t sponsored, and I paid for my flight).
Edited by Michelle Martin, https://www.youtube.com/@OnTheCrux
Post Audio by Emi Paternostro, http://proximitysound.com
🟥 MORE FROM TOM: https://www.tomscott.com/
(you can find contact details and social links there too)
📰 WEEKLY NEWSLETTER with good stuff from the rest of the internet: https://www.tomscott.com/newsletter/
❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: https://lateralcast.com/ https://youtube.com/lateralcast/
➕ TOM SCOTT PLUS: https://youtube.com/tomscottplus
👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: https://youtube.com/techdif

@TomScottGo
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
If you're wondering why I say that "standing up in the wind" is one of the most strenuous things I've done: turns out my g-tolerance standing is even lower than when I'm sitting down. Things got a bit… fuzzy for me during one of the 2.5g pulls.
@xX_dash_Xx
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
so he did THIS but is scared of rollercoasters?
@ALastification
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
All I could think about when seeing this was what about birds? (I think I actually see a bird at 2:36 – 2:38 fly just under the aircraft)
@fuiehfjfcnsl
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Ein Kommentar
@Undaglibenglaubengloben
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
If it wasn’t in a crime ridden place like the UK I’d definitely want to try it out
@L3ADFARM3RMEDIC
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
He'll do this but won't ride a roller coaster. 😉
@AyaKho
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
"It is safe enough"
bird flies past
Yea a close one for that perfect record eh?
@brickmack
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
I will never get over Tom alternating between "today I'm going to learn to ride a bike" and "today I'm going to stand on top of a flying plane"
@DarkadeTV
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
How were you afraid of roller coasters after this? XD
@Knobelbernd
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Nice video! But why the retardet units?
@valeriepark9444
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
THIS is the same guy who was terrified of roller coasters?!?
@holyassbutts
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
That laugh right at the end tho
I'm ded 💀
@volleyball_t-raining
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Im still confused at how Tom is scared of going on a roller coaster but is not scared of this
@EminemLovesGrapes
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Tom in the 21st century equivalent of a hyberbolic time chamber. Just a few more videos and he'll reach strength never seen before.
@williamjones7163
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
I'm King of the World!
@NotKyleChicago
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
What flag has the "target" on it?
@MICROKNIGHT3000
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
His face in the air xD
@khansahabkeadventures
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Hope it soon starts in Dubai. UAE.
@reamsel
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
afraid of rollercoasters, but not this?????
@jamesengland7461
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
In this episode, Tom rides in the smoking section of the aircraft.
@sinical9919
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Next week tune in as Tom Scott gives monologue while being shot from catapult over a castle wall 🤣🤣
@thehaprust6312
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Another episode of Watch Tom Scott Grayout.
@derpedfox
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Why is this a thing holy shiet
@maythesciencebewithyou
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Why do I see this video of yours only now. Damn.
@headhurtouchie
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
0:58 AAAAARRGHHHH
@nicholasjones7774
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
wtf did i just watch.
@od1401
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
I would out money on their insurance being with a syndicate in Lloyd's of London
By the way if there's anyone out there who's a bit lost in their life, in a dead end job, flunked or coasted through school and now you're a bit aimless – get a job in insurance. You don't need any qualifications to get started, they will teach you on the job, just soak up everything you learn and have a good work ethic and you can go far.
Most companies will pay for your insurance qualifications if seeking further progression. It's a great career for those of us who only really matured after our school years well after we'd lost the chance for academic achievement (drifters)
The money is good (passable even on a new starter rate), the work is surprisingly interesting, it's an office job so not physically taxing, but it's main benefit is it's non-existent barrier to entry combined with a sky's the limit progression possibility, and it is really easy to progress unless you're a clown with no work ethic.
And if you know you have a good intelligent head on your shoulders but just haven't put it to good use and coasted, you're gonna have such a huge advantage over the rest and you will climb that ladder in no time.
I'm speaking from a UK perspective by the way which has one of (if not the) most established insurance industries in the world. Happy to provide advice or info if anyone wants.
@LUNE.44
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
sponsored by ryanair
@pilotpeego1820
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
"They have a perfect safety record" until there is no more perfection.
@marklondon9004
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Look, surely it's time for a 'The best of the last decade' clip collection, or out-takes?
@Zelmel
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Rewatching this from my suggestions… I have a phobia of flying so this terrifies me to watch, but also I'm weirdly wanting to do this because it is SO COOL and fits with my (admittedly unhealthy given said phobia) interest in flight mechanics and aerospace engineering things.
@reachandler3655
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
I am so green! Wing walking and zero G, 2 things I've always wanted to experience.
@jerrystrango
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
your face said ((((((( o.o )))))))
@yeahno....
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Been there done that
@c-5921
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
WOOOOOOO monologues calmly for a few moments WOOOOOOOOOOO
@johnhall7850
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Jane Wicker sees problems.
@TheDragonAzz
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
00:42 "I'm flying jack"
@robertvoss9111
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Ryanair be like
@imstupied
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Tom: doesn't like rollercoasters
Also tom in a much more dangerous ride: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooOO
@bobenthrysign3654
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
I would poo
@money6292
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Third-person camera
@RudeMcNasty
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
2:43 And they do have a perfect safety record until one day, it's not.
@spacefishaviation276
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
I dont know if Im weird but I would really wanna be that pilot
@peNdantry
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Just one question: was it one take? 😀
@alexm.5537
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
Me looking up what tom did today….TOM WTF AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
@TheEulerID
April 4, 2026 at 2:03 am
It would appear to be an entirely pointless activity from a spectator's point of view. There's not even the vicarious thrill about of feeling the possibility of falling off. Indeed, it's a misnomer. In what sense is somebody who's strapped to a vertical pole stabilised by tension wires actually walking?
Comments are closed.