Flying the light plane means fun and simple happiness for Helmut Frohmüller: "When I am in the air I forget everything else. Problems stay on the ground", he says with his eyes shining. Until recently he no longer believed that he would ever be able to fly again.

The Frohmüllers run a hotel with accommodation and their own sausage manufacturing business; Helmut is a qualified master butcher. Their sausages are available on the menu and are sold as packaged or smoked goods. His health problems crept up slowly and lasted for a long time, and the cause was not clear for a long time.

When the cancer of the larynx was finally diagnosed, quick action was required, because Helmut had already had 9 operations. Complications and 3 more operations almost cost him his life - and all this happened during the corona years and thus without the support of his family. Emine Frohmüller remembers it all now: "It was unbelievably difficult. What finally helped us was the tax audit! Having to fight for our income and our business distracted us.“ The Frohmüllers are accustomed to work hard and long hours and to managing everything themselves. And so Helmut started planning his recovery. He set himself 3 objectives: to live, to be with his family, and to fly again.

The primary objective was to learn to speak again. "In my experience, a man without a voice is invisible. And in addition a pilot must be able to use the radio" he says. Mr Frohmüller uses tracheoesophageal speech. At first, it was difficult but he persisted and six months after the operation his practice, strength, will and anatomy has given him an impressively loud voice - up to 50 decibels! And he trains his voice for radio by deliberately flying to different airports. This requires him to take more care to speak clearly and precisely. "Because I tend to be rather lazy, I regularly force myself to do this. Training is important" he says.

 

Flying is pure pleasure

And then there was still flying. In addition to the hotel business and his family, the return to his private flying club, AEC Walldorf, was an important step in his return to a normal life. The active members supported him all the way. He is also very grateful for his aviation doctor, Dr Stefan Reschke, who has done so much to help him. In this area he also has only the highest praise for the Rhein-Neckar aviation medical service in Walldorf. Mr Frohmüller holds three active private pilot licences for light and ultralight aircraft. This demonstrates his marked pragmatism coupled with his great efforts. He also loves challenges and is capable of multitasking – for one of his pilot licences he was studying behind the counter during a family celebration in the restaurant. He passed the final examination without difficulty. 

Helmut is now very satisfied with his life. "I am very happy to have achieved everything and it give me a feeling of great satisfaction. My family has been a huge support," he says in summary. 

The 63-year-old would like to encourage other patients and tell them how life can return to almost normal after such a serious disease. The most important factors are good support and a certain degree of persistence - this can make much possible, even flying!