Stage 4 Hodgkin’s to Flight Instructor

In this powerful episode of Runway Life, host Craig Butterworth sits down with Ryan, a Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor who refused to let cancer take away his dream of flying. After losing his medical during treatment, Ryan fought to get it back — and not only returned to the skies, but became a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFI-I) at First Landings Aviation.

Ryan shares his journey through diagnosis, recovery, and the long process of regaining his FAA medical. Now serving as both a CFI-I and the flight school coordinator, his story is an inspiring look at resilience, determination, and what it really takes to pursue your passion in aviation against all odds. Ryan also discusses some of the intricacies of flight training, and the questions you should ask before beginning!