Returning to flying after major surgery requires a gradual, medically-guided process, starting with assessing basic physical and cognitive functions through tasks like driving.
The author re-engaged mentally by reviewing aircraft specifics and physically by flying with a CFI to identify weaknesses and regain proficiency.
Despite satisfactory performance, the author experienced a lack of finesse and, critically, discovered profound post-flight exhaustion that was not apparent during the flight itself.
Ongoing physical recovery, deliberate practice, and proactive fatigue management (e.g., planning for rest) are vital for a safe and complete return to flight.
When you’re starting to feel human again after major surgery, what’s a good plan for getting safely back into the cockpit?
I had a total knee replacement. Generally, it is regarded as the most brutal surgery out there, and here’s what I did. (Note: Your mileage will almost certainly vary, so make your decisions in concert with appropriate medical personnel.)
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Ed Wischmeyer has been flying 50 years with time logged in 200 makes and models of aircraft. His current airplane is an RV-9A, flown all over the US. Professional research at SRI International, Boeing, and Gulfstream included low level windshear, unstable approaches, runway incursions, and hybrid GPS/ILS approaches. Recent research indicated broad scope pilot training and psychology as more effective for overall GA accident reduction than AOA devices. He has an MIT Ph.D. and ATP/CFII, but sometimes reminisces about X-C with just a compass and a sectional chart. He received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot award in 2024.
