from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Barnstormer \Barn"storm`er\, n. [Barn + storm, v.]
1. An itinerant theatrical player who plays in barns when a
theatre is lacking; hence, an inferior actor, or one who
plays in the country away from the larger cities. --
{Barn"storm`ing}, n. [Theatrical Cant]
[1913 Webster]
2. an aviator who flies an airplane from place to place,
usually at small airports, doing flying stunts or flying
passengers for sightseeing, for the purpose of earning
money. It was a practise common in the early days of
aviation, but by late 20th century was seldom encountered.
[PJC]