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Martha Lunken Earns Her Wings (Again)

[Courtesy: Martha Lunken]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author successfully regained her private pilot certificate on Christmas Eve 2021, nine months after all her previous pilot certificates and ratings were revoked.
  • Despite her extensive prior experience as a pilot and instructor, she strategically took her check ride in a basic Cessna 150 to mitigate potential FAA observer scrutiny.
  • She passed the test, subsequently received endorsements for complex, high-performance, and tailwheel aircraft, and is now working towards an instrument rating, reflecting on her enduring passion for flying after a challenging year.
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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.

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