I Learned About Flying From That

Chuck Wenk

Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The 80-year-old author, a long-time pilot with no prior medical history, unexpectedly required a pacemaker due to a slow heartbeat, leading to a temporary suspension of his FAA medical certificate.
Through diligent work with his FAA medical examiner and the FAA, including providing all necessary medical documentation, his third-class medical certificate was successfully reinstated after about six months.
The article's primary message encourages other pilots facing medical issues not to give up on regaining their flying privileges, emphasizing that reinstatement is often possible with persistence and proper procedure.

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Those are the two words that can change a life, disrupt a business or curtail a profession forever! I heard them unexpectedly from my FAA medical examiner of several decades, Dr. Ed Klemptner, in July, just a few weeks after my 80th birthday.

The actual birthday started out in great fashion. I had nixed the idea of a big party with all my old friends (those that were still ticking!), clients and relatives. Happily, my son, daughter and wife, Gail, all pilots, arranged a spectacular substitute. I would throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field in Chicago.