Time Is Ticking on My Youth—and My Airplane's Too

It's become quite clear that my physical fitness is deteriorating at a much faster pace than that of my Beecraft Bonanza.

Ben Younger

Monday, January 08, 2024 at 01:11 PM ET

Verified

The 'Six Million Dollar Man' comparison doesn’t hold water in regard to my body. But in some ways it does hold true for my aircraft. [Courtesy: Ben Younger]

Key Takeaways:

The author, at 50, frequently compares his own aging body, with its increasing aches, injuries, and irreversible decline, to the "squawks" and maintenance issues of his vintage 1972 airplane.
A key distinction is drawn in repairability: while medical interventions for his body often fail to restore him to previous strength, the airplane can be significantly improved and made more capable through overhauls and modern upgrades, becoming "better than new" in some aspects.
Ultimately, the author reflects that his airplane, with proper care and repair, is likely to outlive him, highlighting the human body's inevitable and irreversible decline versus a machine's potential for extended rejuvenation and functional longevity.

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Woke up in pain this morning. I tore my shoulder in January while snowboarding in Utah. Knew it the second I hit the ground. It was day one of a five-day trip, so I gritted my teeth, threw a bunch of Advil at it, and enjoyed the rest of the vacation as best I could. Truth is, I often wake up in pain these days. I’m now seemingly able to injure myself in my sleep. New level achieved.

My airplane has similar issues. I shouldn’t be surprised. We were both made in the same year: 1972. She’s serial number 9046. I’m somewhere around 108 billion. The Bonanza has evolved a lot faster than humans have. My knees are still Gen 1, and my electrical system hasn’t been upgraded to 28 volts. Not holding my breath either. My autopilot works just fine, but that’s not considered a desirable attribute in a human.