Martha Lunken – A Journey Through Aviation

Who is Martha Sunken? – A Brief Biography

Martha Sunken stands as a legendary figure in aviation—a woman whose passion for aviation ignited at the tender age of nine. From her Ohio base, she devoted nearly six decades to the skies, amassing an impressive 14,000 flight hours throughout her career.

Throughout her extensive career, Sunken held many roles in the aviation industry, including:

• Flight Instructor & School Owner: She was a dedicated instructor and operated ‘Miss Martha’s Flying School.’

• FAA Employee: She worked for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Chicago and Cincinnati.

• Certified Pilot: She held an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with numerous ratings:

• Airplane: Single & Multi-Engine (Land & Sea)

• Commercial Hot Air Balloon

• Type Ratings: Lockheed 18, DC-3, and SA-227

However, Sunken’s career took an unexpected turn. At age 78, she made headlines when the FAA revoked her certificates after she admitted to flying under a bridge—an action explicitly prohibited by aviation regulations. Despite this setback, her profound contributions to aviation—through passionate teaching, vivid writing, and generous mentorship—established her as one of the most colorful and cherished figures in the flying community.

Martha Sunken’s Contributions to Aviation – Writing and Mentorship

Martha Sunken’s influence extends well beyond the cockpit through her compelling work as both writer and mentor. Her treasured collection of columns from Flying Magazine, masterfully compiled in ‘Unusual Attitudes,’ offers readers insight into her rich aviation life while introducing readers to an unforgettable cast of characters she’s encountered throughout her remarkable career.

What makes Sunken’s writing so compelling? Her distinctive voice combines humor with authenticity—often hilariously irreverent, yet deeply personal. Her tales of aerial adventures and misadventures across a diverse fleet of aircraft create an instant connection with aviation enthusiasts everywhere.

Flying Magazine – A Platform for Sunken’s Stories

As a prolific contributor to Flying Magazine, Sunken shared her aviation wisdom through engaging columns that combined personal anecdotes, practical insights, and her unmistakable wit.

Unusual Attitudes – Insights from a Lady Pilot

The book ‘Unusual Attitudes’ gathers her most cherished columns from Flying Magazine. The title references both—referencing both perilous aircraft positions and her unconventional perspective on flying and life itself. Through candid stories, she provides an intimate glimpse into her experiences as a woman navigating a predominantly male field, preserving a vital slice of aviation history through her personal lens.

Martha Sunken’s Flight Experience – A Pilot’s Journey

Martha Sunken’s extraordinary flight experience spans countless aircraft types, reflecting decades of dedication to aviation. Her remarkable journey encompassed everything from nurturing students in modest single-engine trainers to piloting complex, historic aircraft like the venerable DC-3.

For an impressive 28 years, Sunken operated ‘Miss Martha’s Flying School,’ where she molded generations of pilots with her straightforward approach to flight instruction.

Throughout her career, Sunken accumulated countless memorable flights alongside fellow aviation enthusiasts and cherished friends. Her adventures ranged from epic cross-country odysseys in vintage aircraft to spontaneous fly-ins at charming rural airports.

Controversial Flights – The Bridge Incident

The most controversial chapter in Martha Sunken’s distinguished aviation career unfolded when she made the fateful decision to fly under a bridge—a maneuver explicitly forbidden by Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

The aviation community noted the irony that the aviation community: a former FAA safety manager had violated the very regulations she once enforced. This paradox raised questions about balancing between personal freedom and regulatory compliance in aviation.

Beyond the personal ramifications for Sunken, the bridge incident serves as a cautionary tale throughout the aviation community.

Legal and Safety Considerations – Understanding the Risks

Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.119 establishes minimum safe altitudes for aircraft operations—regulations born from safety requirements.

Flying under a bridge is strictly prohibited due to multiple safety hazards:

• Collision Risk: High potential for collision with the bridge structure.

• Aerodynamic Instability: Unexpected wind patterns and turbulence near large structures.

• Reduced Safety Margins: Difficulty maintaining clearance from the ground or water, with limited options for emergency maneuvers.

• Public Hazard: The maneuver can startle or distract drivers on the bridge, potentially causing traffic accidents.

The FAA’s decisive action to revoke Sunken’s licenses shows the FAA’s commitment to addressing safety violations, irrespective of a pilot’s experience or reputation.

Legacy and Influence – Martha Sunken’s Impact on Aviation

Martha Sunken’s enduring legacy in aviation extends beyond her 14,000 flight hours and even the controversial bridge incident that captured headlines.

As a writer, Sunken has preserved important aspects of aviation culture and history through her columns and the beloved book ‘Unusual Attitudes.’

As a pioneering woman in aviation’s male-dominated golden era, Sunken’s career inspires others. Through exceptional skill and unwavering determination, she demonstrated that gender bears no relevance to cockpit competence—and her influence endures through the pilots she mentored and the countless readers she continues to inspire.