Nearly as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a pilot — nothing more, nothing less. I said as much in a second-grade project that my mother saved for posterity. Over time I developed additional interests and even dabbled with the idea of becoming an architect or practicing law, but I never seriously pursued either option. Against the conventional advice that a professional pilot should obtain a nonaviation fallback degree, I went to the aviation-centric University of North Dakota and majored in air transport. I didn’t even bother with a minor, much less a second major. Young and eager to take on the world, it was aviation or bust. I never gave “What if you can’t?” much thought. I always assumed that I could. My parents never actually spoke the modern trope that my siblings and I could do anything we set our minds to, but their actions clearly reflected that belief, and we all ran with it. Failure, even due to circumstances beyond one’s control, wasn’t much considered. “God will provide,” my parents pronounced with a confidence borne of personal experience.
Taking Wing: Grounded
Key Takeaways:
- A lifelong aspiring pilot, the author faced a devastating diagnosis of Crohn's disease, an autoimmune condition that immediately threatened his professional flying career.
- Through modern biologic treatments and navigating FAA special-issuance medical requirements with support, he successfully regained his Class 1 medical certificate and returned to the cockpit.
- The experience solidified his deep passion for aviation, taught him resilience, and gave him a renewed appreciation for every flight, committing him to remain in the aviation industry even if future health issues prevent him from flying the controls.
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