Originally published December 28, 2006 at 12:00 AM | Page modified December 29, 2006 at 1:12 PM

Shoreline resident plans to be back in the air

At age 92, Cliff Garl is looking forward to continuing flying and earning his license as a private pilot. In April, the Shoreline resident...

By Erik Lacitis

Seattle Times staff reporter

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MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Cliff Garl was all smiles after flying solo around the Arlington Municipal Airport in April.

Archive | Student pilot takes off at 91

At age 92, Cliff Garl is looking forward to continuing flying and earning his license as a private pilot.

In April, the Shoreline resident made his first solo flight as a student pilot.

He flew a single-engine Cessna 172, at an altitude of 1,000 feet, twice around Arlington Municipal Airport — about 10 miles in the air in all.

His flight instructor, Joe Bennett, could only marvel at what Garl had accomplished.

"You go into a nursing home and you'll see people a lot younger than he just sitting there," Bennett said. "I actually don't know of anybody, even in their 80s, who's soloed."

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After a story about his flight appeared in The Seattle Times, Garl said, a number of pilots called to congratulate him.

Garl said he wanted to earn the hours required to take the exam for a private license but took a hiatus in September 2006.

Garl said he has close friends in Bellingham, a couple in their 90s. They both need medical care and they gave him power of attorney. Garl said he drives to Bellingham two to three times a week to help out.

But, he said, he hopes to resume flying soon. That means Garl again will have to renew his medical clearance with the Federal Aviation Administration.

He's not particularly worried. The last time Garl had a physical, his blood pressure was a healthy 120/70.

"It's now 118 over 68," he said.

Erik Lacitis: 206-464-2237 or elacitis@seattletimes.com

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