I Learned About Flying From That

Chuck Wenk

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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An 80-year-old pilot, with no prior medical history, was grounded after fainting due to a slow heartbeat requiring a pacemaker.
Despite the successful pacemaker implantation, he faced a five-month grounding and a detailed process to regain his FAA medical certification.
Through persistence and proper communication with his medical examiner and the FAA, he successfully had his third-class medical reinstated.
The author encourages other pilots who lose their medical to never give up on reinstatement, emphasizing the importance of diligent paperwork through their medical examiner.

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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.