Teresa's Journey: From grounding to becoming an aircraft owner

"Wouldn't you rather read or swim?"

That was my mother's reaction when I told my parents, at the age of 17, that I wanted to learn to fly. While lounging in the garden and watching a typical Cessna fly overhead, I knew right away: "This is exactly what I've always wanted to do."

My name is Teresa Staudinger, and I come from a small 20-person village in Lower Bavaria. Today, I live my dream of aviation, both professionally and privately.

I can't offer a typical childhood story where I always wanted to be a pilot. In fact, horses shaped my life - until that fateful moment in the garden. My riding instructor often said, "Only flying is better," not knowing that one day I would actually fly over his stable.

Thanks to my parents and a stroke of luck, my aviation adventure began at the Ried-Kirchheim Airfield (LOLK), where I started a PPL course in 2010. Back then, the training was very traditional, with hardly any CBT courses. The support from my parents, who regularly drove me to the airfield, was invaluable. In 2011, I successfully completed my private pilot license and discovered my passion for vintage aircraft and planes with conventional landing gear.

Over the years, the dream of owning my own aircraft grew. Searching daily for suitable offers on Planecheck and Barnstormers became more routine than walking my dog, Finnley. But doubts and uncertainties held me back: What if the engine has issues? Where would I store the aircraft? These concerns made me hesitate and almost give up on the dream.

Professionally, after high school, I decided to join the family business as a hairdresser. But aviation never let me go. Since 2022, I have been working as a Maintenance Planning Engineer at flYellow GmbH, managing single engine turbine aircraft in CAT operations. For most aircraft owners, dealing with paperwork is a challenge; for me, it's something I've grown to enjoy.

---

However, life had other plans: In August 2023, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis - a shock that forced me to completely reorganize my whole life.

My personal AOG

You know that feeling when you're stressed, exhausted, and worn out? You don't think much about it and push yourself with coffee and a lot of pressure to perform at your best. Eventually, you reach a point where this equation no longer works, and you finally take the step to get checked out by a doctor.

During this "Scheduled Inspection" in August 2023, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. What initially feels like a "gear-up landing" turns out, on closer inspection, to be a touch and go. Finally, the mystery is solved, you take more time for yourself, and you understand what your body is trying to tell you.

The Paradox:

What do you do when you want to clear your head after a day at work?

You go flying.

What do you do when you want to spend a nice weekend with friends?

You go flying.

What do you do when you want to enjoy every moment and have an MS diagnosis?

You don't go flying because you don't have a medical certificate.

Christmas 2023 brought me the greatest gift: I got my medical certificate back with some restrictions. For me, this meant finally being able to fly again - a huge relief.

And then came Chris.

Through my best friend, I learned that I could charter a Piper J3 at EDME airfield and get tailwheel training. A few days later, Chris, an enthusiastic pilot, came into my life. With his help and enthusiasm, a new chapter of my aviation and personal adventures began.

How I convinced Chris that a Jodel was a good idea, you can read in the article "Project Jodel D113 - The Story".