Register

Martha Lunken Earns Her Wings (Again)

[Courtesy: Martha Lunken]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Martha Lunken successfully regained her private pilot certificate on Christmas Eve 2021, nine months after all her previous flying credentials were revoked.
  • Despite her extensive piloting history, she strategically chose to take her checkride in a simpler 1967 Cessna 150 to manage the potential pressure of an FAA observed test.
  • The comprehensive checkride, involving both traditional navigation and flight maneuvers, was passed, leading to subsequent endorsements for complex, high-performance, and tailwheel aircraft.
  • Lunken reflects on her enduring passion for flying, acknowledging the publicity surrounding her revocation while expressing gratitude for the unexpected connections it brought, as she now studies for an instrument rating.
See a mistake? Contact us.

As a child, I thought Christmas Eve was hands-down the most magical time of the year, but December 24, 2021, was over the top.

That morning I became a “real” private pilot…nine months since the revocation of all my certificates and ratings. Though I could pursue getting all of them back, at this time in life I won’t go for anything else except an instrument rating. I don’t need anything more.

Martha Lunken

Martha Lunken is a lifelong pilot, former FAA inspector and defrocked pilot examiner. She flies a Cessna 180 and anything with a tailwheel, from Cubs to DC-3s.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE