IFR Low Enroute Charts
2023-03-18 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Interested in learning more about operating under IFR? Search dozens of IFR-related safety seminars available to view in our Members Only Seminar Library. For an example click here.

Most IFR pilots probably have a general understanding of IFR charts, including Victor airways, MEAs, etc., but when was the last time you really looked closely at all the information available on an IFR Low Enroute Chart. Do you recall how to decipher MRAs? Can you identify the different types of fixes along an airway? It’s always a good idea to stop and refresh these important ground knowledge items.
SCFC Chief Pilot Herb Patten is back with a safety seminar to give depth and meaning to this important IFR resource. He will demystify the numbers and markings on the FAA’s IFR Low Enroute Charts and help pilots develop a better understanding of the details on these charts. Herb will explain waypoint and navigational aid symbology, and describe the various altitudes shown on the charts.
This is a valuable safety seminar for new IFR Students and a great refresher for pilots who are already instrument rated. Don’t miss out on this chart refresher so you won’t miss anything when planning your next IFR flight.

Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 2,500 hours in more than 130 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2021, Herb was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

Emergency Signaling: ELT’s and PLB’s
2023-03-22 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Interested in learning more about survival in your aircraft? Search for our survival series of Safety Seminars such as “First Aid for Pilots” available to members on our Members Only Seminar Library available by clicking here.

Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are becoming cheaper and more reliable. Why would a pilot need a PLB if they already have an onboard ELT? How would a PLB help a pilot in an emergency? What is a PLB anyway?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Chief Pilot Herb Patten to explain the critical differences between PLBs and ELTs. In this seminar, he will review the history of the emergence of regulations on ELTs, review accident data that highlights the problems and challenges of the original ELT design, describe the enhancements offered in the new 406-MHz ELT and how they function and provide an update on the proposed regulations for ELT requirements.
Most pilots are aware of the onboard Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) in their personal or rented airplanes. Most know that the older models transmitted a distress signal on 121.5-MHz in the event of a hard landing. But how many know what frequency the new models transmit on? How does an ELT differ from a PLB? Do you know the differences in who receives your distress signal and how quickly?
Don’t miss this seminar if you want to be prepared in post-emergency landing situations, and how you can increase your chances of surviving through the use of ELT’s and PLB’s.

Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 2,500 hours in more than 130 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2021, Herb was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation thought safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2019 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Space is often limited so it is important to sign up early. SCFC members may choose to watch the seminar live over the web at home, or recorded at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access.

Transition to the Cessna 206
2023-03-25 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in our “Transition to” series which highlights pilots’ transition to many different makes/models. These seminars are available to view in our Members Only Seminar Library which can be accessed by clicking here.

The Cessna 206 is a six seat, high-performance airplane. It is known as the Stationair and has a variety of mission profiles. With more payload, seating capacity and speed than a Cessna 182, the Stationair provides the capabilities for pilots that have outgrown the 182. In addition to the constant speed propeller the 206 also comes equipped with a turbocharged engine which is an additional complexity for the pilot stepping up from a Cessna 182.
San Carlos Flight Center is pleased to introduce a Cessna 206 to the fleet. This seminar provides the foundational knowledge necessary to understand the engine components, oxygen system, instrumentation, and operating procedures. San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Herb Patten as he reviews the systems of this aircraft and why it has earned its reputation as the airborne family hauler. This seminar is a fundamental part of the ground training required of pilots planning to get checked out and fly this aircraft at the San Carlos Flight Center.
Pilots transitioning to new aircraft must be familiar with its operating characteristics and limitations. Join us to develop a routine of how to analyze new aircraft and fly with confidence.

Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 2,500 hours in more than 130 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2021, Herb was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA.

Brian Eliot is San Carlos Flight Center’s Assistant Chief Pilot and resident expert for IFR training and Garmin G1000 avionics. He has been flying since 1995 and received all his training in the Bay Area. Brian previously worked as a broadcast engineer, a software developer, and taught computer science at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He regularly presents at San Carlos Flight Center safety seminars and has a reputation for making complex concepts easy to learn and understand.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

Imagination Set Free: The Story of Stanley Hiller, Jr.
2023-03-29 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing
This seminar does not qualify for WINGS Credit.
Interested in learning more about aviation topics? Check out our Members Only Seminar Library available for Web Members, available by clicking here.

Did you know that one of the nation’s premier helicopter inventors and manufacturers, the Hiller Helicopter Company, originated in the Bay Area? Stanley Hiller Jr. was a successful young entrepreneur who designed a series of early helicopters on the SF peninsula, in an area very near to the location of the current San Carlos Airport.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Hiller Aviation Museum President and CEO, Jeff Bass to share the story of Stanley Hiller, Jr. In this seminar, learn more about the little known story of this Bay Area aviation legend and how his efforts empowered the growth of the aviation industry. Along the way, Jeff will describe the interesting Hiller aircraft which form part of the Hiller Aviation Museum’s 50+ collection of airplanes and helicopters.
Join us to hear about this local Bay Area aviator and a piece of the unique aviation history of San Carlos.

Jeffery Bass is a private pilot and President and CEO of Hiller Aviation Museum, one of the Bay Area’s premiere aviation destinations, founded in 1998 by helicopter pioneer Stanley Hiller, Jr.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

Los Angeles Airspace and Destination San Bernadino
2023-04-01 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Interested in learning more about unique destinations for pilots to travel to? Check out our “Destination” series of seminars available to members in our online Seminar Library, for an example click here.

Southern California has an extensive and dense airspace system. The airspace, along with its many transition routes, can prove to be a true challenge for pilots new to the area. Be prepared and know what to expect in one of the most unique airspaces in the US.
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Ryan Sartor who travels extensively to the Los Angeles area, to cover safe and correct ways to transition LA airspace. In this seminar he will discuss VFR corridors, transition routes, and provide a refresher on airspace regulations. Additionally, he will cover what every pilot needs to know flying in and out of the San Bernadino Airport (KSBD) including departure, arrival, and local procedures in preparation for the multi-day FlyOutGroup trip to KSBD for a SoCal Airshow.
If you are planning on flying within the LA Basin anytime soon or plan to attend this multi-day trip, do not miss out on this seminar.

Ryan Sartor is a SCFC CFI. After navigating the San Diego and Los Angeles airspace for over three years, he decided it was time to challenge himself and move to the San Francisco Bay Area where he is settling in well. With about 800 hours of dual instruction time given, Ryan is continuously striving to grow as a pilot, instructor, and a mentor for his students.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

Ground School Refresher: VFR Charts
2023-04-05 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Interested in learning more about ground-school-related topics? Check out our Ground School Refresher series which covers a wide variety of different topics available in our Members Only Seminar Library. For an example, click here.

VFR charts pack an extraordinary amount of material and represent a 3-dimensional world of terrain and airspaces in 2 dimensions. With such a wealth of information, do you really know how to read them? For example, do you know how to identify where certain VFR reporting waypoints are on a chart? Or can you determine if the airport you are landing at has an operating beacon, pilot controlled lighting, or lighting at all?
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Edward Abraham to give pilots a refresher on VFR charts. He will entertain you while educating you about common as well as uncommon VFR charts symbology. In this seminar expect a thorough investigation of these charts, the related symbology, and interesting facts that you could use to impress your friends. Throughout the presentation, Edward will provide many real-life examples and allow the audience to follow-along looking at charts on their own.
While you may know the basics, there is always something new or some little nuance that we didn’t realize. All pilots can benefit from a refresher on VFR charts, so join us to refresh your memory and learn more.

Edward Abraham is a CFI at San Carlos Flight Center. A Bay Area native and aviation enthusiast, his passion took flight after graduating from San Jose State University with a degree in business management and a minor in aviation. After graduating, he worked as a Customer Service Supervisor for United Airlines while simultaneously building hours and working towards his advanced ratings at the San Carlos Airport. Edward is excited to be a flight instructor for the San Carlos Flight Center and looks forward to teaching the next generation of pilots.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

Enroute Radio Communications
2023-04-08 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing
Interested in learning more about Radio Communications? This is part two of our four-part Radio Communication Series, available to watch for members in our Members Only Seminar Library by clicking here.

Flying through in the many airspaces of California requires a high degree of situational awareness and sophisticated radio skills. And yet, radio communication is rarely taught as a specific subject during private pilot training. Usually, new pilots just absorb what they hear on the frequency around them, both good and bad. Although some radio techniques are covered in ground school, rarely do student pilots get the time devoted to demystifying this often-confusing subject.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Chief Pilot Herb Patten and CFI Dan Dyer to show how to perfect your communication and phraseology. They will cover radio phraseology from the basics through advanced ATC services with emphasis on flight following and flight service stations. This seminar will include many examples on how to recognize bad radio calls, and how to fix them. Learn how to make radio communication easier and safer for all pilots.
If you are interested in becoming better at your radio, you don’t want to miss this seminar.

Dan Dyer is the founder of the San Carlos Flight Center, and has built the motto of Safety, Community, and Adventure for over 8 years. Dan was an instructor for 15 years, accumulated over 4,000 flight hours, and is the Bay Area’s local expert in crosswind landing instruction. He is known for finding simple and innovative ways to explain complex topics and regularly speaks on advanced ground school topics. Find out more about Dan at www.sancarlosflight.com or contact him at dan@sancarlosflight.com
Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 2,500 hours in more than 130 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2021, Herb was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

A Comprehensive Look into the 100hr Inspection
2023-04-12 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Interested in learning more from a mechanics perspective? Watch our growing library of mechanically orientated presentations such as Pre-Flight Tips from a Mechanic, What is a 50hr Inspection? and Preventative Maintenance. All of these seminars are available to view in our Members Only Seminar Library available by clicking here.

Many airplanes get inspected every 100 hours, but do you know what the 100-hour inspection entails? Do you know what issues are commonly found during 100 hour inspections? Or do you know what the mechanics are inspecting or looking for throughout this process? If not, you will want to attend this seminar.
San Carlos Flight Center invites A&P Charles Rudolf to give an overview of what problems are typically found during the 100 hour and how to spread more awareness to pilots. In this seminar he will detail the tasks that are performed in a typical 100-hour inspection, provide an overview of how to handle discrepancies, and highlight the common issues that are associated with 100hr inspections. Charles will also relay how pilots can commonly cause wear and tear risking the potential for even further damage on the aircraft.
By using real-life examples and pictures, pilots can be more aware of the most frequent issues present during inspections.

Charles Rudolf is an A&P Mechanic at SCFC. Charles has been an active A&P for over 2 years and enjoys working on general aviation aircraft. He enjoys teaching others and is looking forward to speaking with the greater pilot community.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

Risky Weather
2023-04-15 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing
Interested in learning more about decision-making and risk management? Watch a similar seminar, “VFR into IMC: Trapped by the Weather or Trapped by Ourselves?” available to view to Web Members on our Seminar Library. Click here to watch.

Risk is present everywhere. Managing risk is a topic deeply ingrained into our aviation safety culture. Pilots are responsible for identifying risks associated with each flight and take appropriate action to avoid them. While this process may sound easy, it can be a real challenge in the constantly changing environment we operate in.
San Carlos Flight Center invites ATP and CFI Preston Harrison to share more on understanding key elements of risk mitigation both before and in-flight. While some hazards are easy to identify, others can be more challenging to pinpoint. In this seminar, he will share his experience dealing with an inadvertent icing encounter and the unpredictability of weather. Even with thorough briefings and risk assessment, he was missing the greater picture. Join us to unravel what common risk assesment tools do not tell you. Sometimes, when there is a doubt, the best thing to do is cancel the flight.
By anticipating and making sensible decisions about risk, pilots can prevent dangerous situations and fly safely. Join us to hear about this unique situation and make better decisions about your flying.

Preston Harrison is the current Multi Engine Flight Standards Instructor at ATP Flight School located at Ellington Field (KEFD) in Houston, TX. He is a Gold Seal CFI, CFII and MEI as well as a FAA Instrument Ground Instructor. In 2023, he was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA. Preston’s aviation career began in Lake Charles, LA where he earned his Private Rating in 2013. He continued his training in Austin, TX in 2020, where he earned all his additional pilot and flight instructor ratings. He has since instructed at multiple airports all over Texas and now spends most of his time doing advanced multi engine training such as complex endorsements, commercial and private add-on’s, CFII and MEI training out of his home airport in Houston.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

IFR and G1000
2023-04-19 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Interested in learning more about instrument flight? Check out our Members Only Seminar Library for many IFR-related seminars such as instrument currency, approach plates, departure procedures, and other complex IFR subjects. Click here to watch.

The G1000 offers a plethora of features that are used by both VFR and IFR pilots. All pilots should have a basic level of competence in operation of their G1000 equipped airplane, but it is even more relevant for IFR pilots because of the intricacies of the G1000 and the impacts of failures under IFR.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Brian Eliot, Assistant Chief Pilot, to discuss the most efficient use of the interface. This will improve pilot awareness of the various G1000 modes and understanding of incipient system failures. During this seminar Brian will cover the fundamentals of IFR flight using the G1000 interface, explain how to efficiently use the G1000 for instrument flight, and how to handle failures.
Join us if you are an aspiring IFR pilot and want to know how the G1000 will be a useful aid in your training, or if you are a seasoned IFR pilot looking for a refresher on the G1000 interface.

Brian Eliot is San Carlos Flight Center’s Assistant Chief Pilot and resident expert for IFR training and Garmin G1000 avionics. He has been flying since 1995 and received all his training in the Bay Area. Brian previously worked as a broadcast engineer, a software developer, and taught computer science at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He regularly presents at San Carlos Flight Center safety seminars and has a reputation for making complex concepts easy to learn and understand.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

In-Person Workshop – Under the Cowling: A Look at a Cessna 172 Engine
2023-04-22 12:00 - 13:30
This is a non-live-streamed, in-person workshop at San Carlos Flight Center. Registration is required. To register, create a free flight center account by clicking here, return back to this page, scroll down and click “sign up”. We welcome anyone to attend this unique look into an aircraft.

As a pilot you learn about airplane engines and systems from the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. That information is supplemented by details from your specific Airplane Flight Manual. So what more do you need to know? You crank the starter and everything works. But how does it work and how do the various systems such as the fuel, induction, and ignition work together to keep the engine flying? Ever wonder how the fuel flows from the tank to the cylinders? Or what happens when the air intake filter becomes blocked? Or what are the purposes of those tubes coming out of the bottom of the engine?
Are you ready to take your airplane systems knowledge to the next step? San Carlos Flight Center invites A&P Charles Rudolf for a unique perspective on airplane engines and systems. In this in-person seminar, you will learn the details of the fuel, ignition, induction and more.
This in-person seminar will be conducted using a Cessna 172 with the engine cowling removed so you can get an up-close appreciation of the components of a typical, small single engine airplane. Space is limited so don’t delay in signing up for this unique experience. You will walk away with a new depth of knowledge that most pilots don’t have.

Charles Rudolf is an A&P Mechanic at SCFC. Charles has been an active A&P for over 2 years and enjoys working on general aviation aircraft. He enjoys teaching others and is looking forward to speaking with the greater pilot community.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

Navigating Brain Biases and Mastering Decision-Making
2023-04-26 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Interested in learning more about the potential hazards different flight conditions have on our decision-making? Check out a related seminar covering the effects of High Altitude Flight on decision-making. This seminar is available to view for Members in our Seminar Library by clicking here.

Flying involves making a continuous series of decisions. Human decision making has a number of known pitfalls and error laden tendencies that can be a hazard in flight. As pilots, we can improve our decision-making by understanding the brain’s decision-making process and recognizing biases that may affect our choices.
San Carlos Flight Center invites ATP and CFI Gerry Binnema to cover a basic model of decision making, and discuss the six brain biases that can lead us to make risky decisions. In this seminar, learn a new approach to decision-making by understanding our brains behavior and its influence both in and out of the flight deck. By recognizing these biases and utilizing a new approach to decision-making, pilots can effectively manage risk and avoid dangerous situations.
We encourage all pilots to tune into this seminar to gain valuable insights into the workings of the brain and its surprising relationship to our everyday flying.

Gerry Binnema is an ATP and CFI, a former aircraft accident investigator, safety officer, and aviation safety consultant with a passion to help people fly safe.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

Reflections on the Pilot in Command Role in General Aviation
2023-04-29 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Interested in learning more about regulations surroundings pilots? Check out similar seminars available to view in our Members Only Seminar Library by clicking here.

Most pilots first hear the term “Pilot in Command” (PIC) during flight training. You may have learned the textbook definition, but do you really understand how to act as PIC? It comes with a great deal of responsibility. Do you know how to handle difficult situations where it requires you to assert your authority as PIC?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Captain Brian Schiff, an experienced ATP and CFI to provide valuable insights into the responsibilities of being a PIC. With years of experience flying as a Captain in professional flying environments, he’s developed a better understanding of what a true PIC should embody. In this seminar he will discuss the regulations that govern PIC authority, the importance of aeronautical decision making, and setting a good example for others. Being a PIC is a significant responsibility that requires both technical knowledge and good judgment. Brian’s experiences will shed light on the many aspects of this role and help pilots better understand their responsibilities when flying general aviation aircraft.
Join us for this unique opportunity to learn more about the responsibilities of a PIC and incorporate these practices into your daily flying.

Captain Brian Schiff is an ATP and CFI. Schiff is a highly-experienced pilot who is type-rated on a variety of aircraft, including Airbus A320, Boeing 727, 757, 767, DC-9 (MD-80), CL-65, LR-JET, and G-V. He has a strong background in general aviation and holds several flight instructor ratings, as well as being a former FAA Pilot Examiner. Schiff is an accomplished educator, known for simplifying complex procedures and concepts for his students. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Masters of Science Degree in Aviation Safety from the University of Central Missouri. Schiff is a regular presenter, an FAASTeam Representative, NAFI Board Member, has been published in many aviation publications.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

Ground School Refresher Flight Instruments
2023-05-03 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Are you interested in learning more about ground school-related topics? Check out our entire series of ground school refresher seminars available in our Members Only Seminar Library. Click here to view.

When pilots first start flying, they learn enough of the basic flight instruments to read and interpret them in flight. You have learned a bit more, but it may have been a while. In this Ground School Refresher, we’ll take a new and fresh look at the fundamental flight instruments, pushing maybe a little deeper than you did as a student. Join us for a review and maybe even to learn something new.
When pilots first start flying, they learn enough of the basic flight instruments to read and interpret them in flight. You have learned a bit more, but it may have been a while. In this Ground School Refresher, we’ll review the fundamental flight instruments, pushing maybe a little deeper than you did as a student. Join us to learn, review, or polish your knowledge on this important topic.
It is important for every pilot to have an understanding of their flight instruments, as many pilots rely on them throughout their flights. Join us to learn, review, or polish your knowledge on this important topic.

Sid Basu is a CFII, and MEI with his Commercial ASEL, AMEL and instrument rating with over 2000 hours total time and over 1500 hours of dual given. He has been flying since 2008 and has been instructing at San Carlos Flight Center since 2017.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

Full Moon Flyers: Livermore
2023-05-05 19:00 - 21:00
Join us on a spectacular full moon flight to a popular local favorite located directly at Livermore Airport.
Elevation LVK is located in the airport building next to transient parking. After parking on the ramp under the tower, walk the short distance to the airport building, where the restaurant will be. Please plan to be seated by 7:00 PM. With options like fresh fish, steak, pasta, and salads, there are plenty of choices for everyone.
Since it’s a short flight, consider taking your passengers on a sunset Bay Tour before dinner. The views during the cooler winter evenings will be spectacular, and nothing beats the gorgeous sunsets. After dinner, you can refresh your night landings at many of the nearby airports, such as Livermore, Hayward, or Oakland on your way home.
Like other FOG events, RSVP below, and please indicate if you are able to take passengers, so we can allow student pilots and other aviation community members to participate. As this is a new restaurant, it may be a popular event, so please book your plane early. Hope to see you there!

In-Person Seminars Begin – Private Pilot Jeopardy
2023-05-06 12:00 - 13:00
Starting with this presentation, most of our seminars will be held at SCFC’s office. In-person attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.

Do you remember everything from your private pilot checkride? Being safe means keeping all that knowledge current and finding a fun way to test yourself. The San Carlos Flight Center has just the answer for you!
Calling all pilots to play Private Pilot Jeopardy! Put yourself to the test against other pilots to win the title of Private Pilot Jeopardy Champion. You are surely up for a challenge with our facilitators Chief Pilot Herb Patten, and SCFC Founder Dan Dyer.
In this game show-styled safety seminar, you will be quizzed on Federal Aviation Regulations, cockpit resource management, weather safety, aeronautical principles, situational awareness, and much more. Come to this seminar prepared with all the knowledge you brought to your private pilot checkride. All information that a VFR private pilot should know is fair game. May the best pilot win!

Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 2,500 hours in more than 130 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2023, Herb was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA.
Dan Dyer is the founder of the San Carlos Flight Center, and has built the motto of Safety, Community, and Adventure for over 8 years. Dan was an instructor for 15 years, accumulated over 4,000 flight hours, and is the Bay Area’s local expert in crosswind landing instruction. He is known for finding simple and innovative ways to explain complex topics and regularly speaks on advanced ground-school topics. Find out more about Dan at www.sancarlosflight.com or contact him at dan@sancarlosflight.com

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

SCFC Summer Kickoff BBQ
2023-05-06 13:00 - 15:00
With the start of summer approaching, the San Carlos Flight Center invites all of its members and their families to join us for our Summer Kickoff BBQ. Join us for an afternoon full of food, drink, snacks, sweets, and activities for everyone.
Today will also mark the return of in-person safety seminars, we encourage pilots to participate in our “Private Pilot Jeopardy” held in our classroom at 12PM. We are looking forward to welcoming audience members back in-person.
Enjoy a fun time under the sun with your friends, family, and fellow aviators outside our main office at 795 Skyway Road, Suite A, San Carlos at 12 PM.
Please RSVP by registering below so we can get an accurate headcount. We look forward to seeing you there!

Planning the FOG Multi-Day Southwest Trip
2023-05-10 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will be held in-person at SCFC, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.

Interested in more seminars like this? Check out our Members Only Semianr Library with access to a growing library of over 500 recorded safety seminars. If you can think of a topic, we likely have it! Click the link here to view.

Southern California and the Southwest are popular destinations due the appeal of the scenery along the way as well as the attractions and dining once you reach the destination. A number of pilot bucket list destinations can be found in this part of the country including Catalina, San Diego, Sedona, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas among others. Every summer, the San Carlos Flight Center plans a multi-day journey to seek out new destinations, spectacular scenery and challenging airports that represent unique aeronautical challenges.
Join SCFC Chief Pilot Herb Patten as he introduce these challenges present within the region, and provide an overview to the flight planning process. All long cross-country trips involve lots of thorough and thoughtful planning; so in this seminar, Herb will preview potential trip routes, considerations while mountain flying, and provide previous insight to pilots from his experience within the region.
Whether you are considering flying to the Southwest or are just curious about what it is like to plan a sophisticated long-cross-country trip, you will enjoy this seminar.

Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 2,500 hours in more than 130 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2023, Herb was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

Challenges Flying to Oshkosh
2023-05-13 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will be held in-person at SCFC, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.

Interested in more seminars related to long cross-country trips and flight planning? Check out our series of flight planning presentations available in our Members Only Seminar Library. Click here for an example.

Each year, EAA holds the world’s most renowned airshow in Oshkosh. This event boasts thousands of unique aircraft, presenters, and new learning experiences. Ambitious pilots may consider flying themselves to the show. If it’s your first time, you may wonder what it takes to create a flight plan across the country, to fly one of the most challenging arrival procedures, and most importantly to land safely?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Oliver Coolidge, an experienced Oshkosh Pilot and CFI, and Private Pilot Obed Han to talk about how to fly safely and efficiently into the “world’s busiest airport”. For one week each summer, EAA members and aviation enthusiasts totaling more than 500,000 from more than 60 countries attend EAA AirVenture at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they rekindle friendships and celebrate the past, present and future in the world of flight. “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration ” has it all when it comes to aircraft, you certainly won’t want to miss out. For many, arriving at Oshkosh is a rite of passage that can only be satisfied by being one of the more than 10,000 aircraft flying in, landing at what becomes the busiest airport in the world. It can be a challenging experience, but after attending this seminar, we are sure that you will feel more confident in your flying abilities.
Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or an aviation novice, AirVenture has something for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about this event, and more importantly learn how you can safely and efficiently plan flight across the country, and arrive at Oshkosh. Experience AirVenture with us. Your spot along the flightline is waiting for you.

Oliver Coolidge started flying in 1969 and is a retired FedEx captain with over 14,000 hours of flying. He owns a vintage 1954 Cessna 195 and has a new project with a 1971 Beechcraft Bonanza G33 “straight tail”. He also is involved with the Flying 12 Club which has built their own RV-12. Chapter 20 was recently the recipient of an EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship which has awarded a $10,000 flying scholarship to a local young aviator.
Obed Han is a Private Pilot. He is an EAA James Ray Scholarship recipient and continues to advance in his training because of it. He is also involved within numerous aviation programs, including co-founding the local EAA Chapter’s Young Aviators program, participating in the RV-12 build, and volunteering as a mentor for VATSIM, virtually controlling airplanes across the Bay Area and training other ATC candidates.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

Hazards of Landing at Unimproved Airports
2023-05-17 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will be held in person, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.

Operating at new airports poses new challenges with exciting awards. Check out our “Destination” seminar series which is available in our Members Only Seminar Library. Available to view by clicking here.

Not all airports are well maintained, and as pilots, we need to know how to operate there safely. These airports pose new challenges and different operational considerations; however, these challenges present extraordinary access to outdoor recreation and the wilderness.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Terry Cross, a Private Pilot and Ambassador for the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) to highlight the hazards of operating at backcountry recreational airports. In this seminar, Terry will share what it takes to operate out of these airports safely. All pilots should be aware of the differences in operational technique when flying into or out of unimproved surfaces, in addition to differences present with limited communication receptivity and limited services. In addition to these safety considerations, he will also share how the RAF constantly works to preserve access to recreational airports, and improve the sustainability of unimproved airports, ensuring their accessibility for future pilots.
You never know when you might have to land at an unimproved airport, so all pilots should have the knowledge of what it takes to operate safely. Join us to learn more on this unique subject.

Terry Cross is an Ambassador for the Recreational Aviation Foundation in California. He is an outdoorsman and has been a private pilot since 1989. He has flown his Cessna 182 and 206 throughout the western United States, with forays into Canada and Mexico. He learned to fly out of the OAK north field and has been based at San Carlos since 1998.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

Flying the Bay Tour
2023-05-20 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will be held in person at SCFC, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.

Want to learn more about operations at local Bay Area Airports? Click here to watch a similar seminar available for Members on the Members Only Seminar Library.

Flying in the San Francisco Bay area is spectacular, a real privilege for local pilots. The Pacific Ocean, a dramatic coastline, beautiful hills, and many famous landmarks. As pilots, we are afforded a rare bird’s eye view that we long to share with our friends and family.
So what exactly is a “Bay Tour”? What airspace is present along the Bay Tour, and what new implementations will require pilots to take into account? Join SCFC Founder Dan Dyer to examine the airspace, explain the “Bay Tour” and how a pilot can accomplish one in the safest, simplest, most enjoyable manner.
In this seminar, he’ll review the various overlapping airspaces in the area, the territories for each local ATC facility, and the routings most commonly used by Flight Center pilots and suggested by ATC. You’ll learn what options are available to you even if SQL ATIS has the phrase “San Francisco is not taking surface area transitions.”
This is a thorough discussion of the regulations and procedures used in flying a San Francisco Bay Tour through Class B and C airspace. If you are new to the Bay area, want to imagine the different sights you’ll see, or just want to improve your understanding of local airspace customs and procedures, please join us for this popular seminar.

Dan Dyer is the founder of the San Carlos Flight Center, and has built the motto of Safety, Community, and Adventure for over 8 years. Dan was an instructor for 15 years, accumulated over 4,000 flight hours, and is the Bay Area’s local expert in crosswind landing instruction. He is known for finding simple and innovative ways to explain complex topics and regularly speaks on advanced ground school topics. Find out more about Dan at www.sancarlosflight.com or contact him at dan@sancarlosflight.com

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

Contract Tower Program in Crisis – Failures of the FAA
2023-05-24 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will be held in person at SCFC, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.

The FAA Contract Tower Program was established in 1982 to lower the operating costs of air traffic control towers at some lower-volume airports by having decreased staffing levels provided by private companies. The program has since expanded to roughly half of the towers in the NAS. Now, across the Contract Tower Program, we’re seeing staffing crises and decreased service.
Join SCFC Owner Alessandro Franco as he discusses the steps (or lack thereof) that the FAA has taken to address these issues. We will compare staffing levels between FAA towers and contract towers, seeing how different staffing levels may provide different levels of safety and service. We will also explore inspector general reports and previous assessments of the failed program.
Tune in to learn about some of the safety concerns operating at airports with contract towers, how to stay aware, and what you can do to encourage the government to address the problems.
Alessandro Franco is a pilot and the Owner of the San Carlos Flight Center. Alessandro is the lead of all Flight Center operations, activities, and relations.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.

SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

I Just Got ForeFlight, Now What? A Beginners Guide to ForeFlight
2023-05-27 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will be held in-person at SCFC, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.

Interested in learning more about ForeFlight? Check out our growing ForeFlight Series of Safety Seminars available for viewing on our Members Only Seminar Library. Click here to watch how to plan a flight with ForeFlight.

Students and new pilots are increasingly flying with computer tablets, and using software that replaces paper charts and documents with the digital equivalents. These applications, such as ForeFlight, are extremely powerful and have a plethora of features. For a pilot just beginning to use ForeFlight, the choices and options seem overwhelming. Valuable features and capabilities can go undiscovered.
Join SCFC in inviting commercial pilot Brandan Dadoun to highlight some of the important first steps to take after downloading ForeFlight, and how to get started. In this seminar, he will cover a basic introduction to the application including the most efficient ways to use the software. With so many different customizations, subscription plans, and ways to do the same thing, it can be overwhelming for many. Some of these include how to set up performance profiles, weight and balance, how to use geo referenced charts, and set up your electronic logbook. After this seminar you will feel confident in your basic abilities to navigate the application and have the resources to continue to learn from.
ForeFlight can be quite overwhelming with features, however, due to time constraints we are unable to provide technical support to individual audience members.
If you are just beginning to explore the features of ForeFlight and want to deepen your understanding on how to effectively use these great tools, you will want to attend this seminar. Have your tablet handy and discover this powerful tool available for pilots.

Brandan Dadoun is a commercial multi-engine pilot and SCFC’s Seminar Coordinator. He has over 700 flight hours with extensive flying experience throughout the Western US in both piston and turbine-powered aircraft. In 2021, Brandan was awarded by the FAA for his achievements in promoting aviation safety. Outside of flying and presenting, he enjoys playing the saxophone and staying active.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

Ground Effect Demystified
2023-05-31 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will be held in person at SCFC, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.

Interested in learning more about advanced ground school topics? Check out more of these seminars available on our growing Members Only Seminar Library which is available for viewing by Web Members. Click here to view.

Anyone who has taken an interest in learning to land an aircraft has experienced the phenomenon of ground effect. Some try to describe the effect using the image of an air hockey table, where a disc of plastic levitates across the surface seemingly without drag. All aircraft experience this effect when near the ground due to an increase in lift and a decrease in drag. Combined, this results in a floating which extends the flare. But what really is happening?
San Carlos Flight Center invites SCFC Founder and former helicopter pilot Dan Dyer, who sees Ground Effect as the airplane version of an in-ground-effect hover. In this seminar, he will share how the surface of the earth gets in the way of airflow patterns around the airfoil in a predictable and understandable way. Although the diagrams that explain it involve a bit of vector math, it’s still something that any pilot can understand with a bit of effort.
If you’ve ever want to understand why your airplane floats the way it does, and are curious about the connection between ground effect, wake turbulence, and induced drag tune in for this ground school “deeper look” presentation.

Dan Dyer founded San Carlos Flight Center after a career as a helicopter and airplane flight instructor. He is passionate about how student pilots think and learn. As SCFC Director of Operation, he now spends most of his time now working with new flight instructors to fan their passion for teaching and to advance their effectiveness.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

Tour of the Southwest
2023-06-01 - 2023-06-04
This trip is FULL. If you are interested in joining our waiting list, email flyoutgroup@sancarlosflight.com

Experience the ultimate adventure with the FlyOutGroups Tour of the Southwest. This 4-day trip will feature flying to the best of the Southwest United States posing unique challenges with stunning awards.
Start with a delicious lunch at Catalina Island (AVX), followed by a breathtaking approach into San Diego Lindbergh Field (SAN), a large yet accommodating Class Bravo Airport. After landing, go where you desire whether that’s exploring the San Diego Skyline, visiting the gorgeous and vibrant Balboa Park, or stepping onto the USS Midway. Take in the sights on the way to lunch at Sedona Arizona (SEZ) where you will be greeted by the vast amount of large red rocks unique to this area. Finish your day by heading to the stunning Meteor Crater and spend the night at a private airport in Monument Valley, where you’ll experience unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape. Starting with a tour of a Meteor Crater followed by a breathtaking visit to the Grand Canyon. After sightseeing, land at Harry Reid Las Vegas International Airport (LAS), making for three Class Bravo Airports. End your night with some fun in the vibrant culture of Las Vegas.
On Day 4, we’ll make our way back home via Bishop and Mammoth, posing the unique challenge of mountain flying with gorgeous views of the surrounding Sierras.
Fly in comfort in any of our C172s, C182s, or new C206 with one of our experienced instructors. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore the beauty of the Southwest from a unique and exciting perspective. Stay tuned for more information on our website.
Deposit:
$500 deposit, per person (not per plane). This is a deposit towards aircraft rental and instructor time. This deposit is non-refundable within 2 weeks of the event. Please call the SCFC Front Desk at (650) 946-1700 to make your deposit.
Registration:
Registrations are not open yet. Check this page for more information in the coming weeks.
Questions:
If you have any questions, please contact the FOG Coordinator, Brandan, via email at brandan@sancarlosflight.com

Ground School Refresher: Airspace
2023-06-03 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will be held in-person at SCFC, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.

Interested in more ground school-related topics? Check out our entire catalog of “Ground School Refresher” seminars available to view in our Members Only Seminar Library. Click here to view.

Let’s face it, airspace is an imaginary concept. It is just a shorthand way to talk about the set of Federal Aviation Regulations that apply by location and altitude, and the impact they have on VFR flight. As confusing as you think the rules are, with a quick refresher, you’ll be back to full knowledge in no time.
If it has been awhile since you sat through ground school, you may be due for an airspace refresher. In this safety seminar, we will review the different classes of airspace that are found in the United States. We’ll cover their shapes, sizes, operating rules, and also cover special use airspace. Want an easy way to keep confusing Class G airspace rules memorized, use the Flight Center’s method that teaches there are 3 types of Class G airspace, Class G-low, Class G-mid, and Class G-high. Do you know the differences between them? Where would you look it up? What happens to Class D when the tower closes? How well do you know airspace?
This safety seminar is open to current and aspiring Private Pilots, and will be of particular interest to students pilots and those who are preparing for a flight review. You will leave the seminar with a renewed understanding, and probably a few memory aids to take with your on your next flight.

Inkee Kim is a CFI at San Carlos Flight Center. Inkee began his aviation training in Korea, continuing his aviation career in Stockton, CA. After finishing private training, Inkee moved to Hillsboro, Oregon where he completed instrument, commercial, and flight instructor training at Hillsboro Aero Academy. He enjoys sharing quality flight instruction and aviation experiences with his students, and is determined to share the joy of flying with everyone.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

Radio Communications 3: Non Towered Airport Communications
2023-06-07 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will be held in-person at SCFC, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.
Interested in the rest of our Radio Communications Series? More seminars like this are available to view in our Members Only Seminar Library. Click here to view more.

Flying in and out of the many airports in California requires a high degree of situational awareness and sophisticated radio skills. And yet, radio communication is rarely taught as a specific subject during private pilot training. Usually, new pilots just absorb what they hear on the frequency around them, both good and bad. Although some radio techniques are covered in ground school, rarely do student pilots get the time devoted to demystifying this often-confusing subject.
This seminar is the third in a series of SCFC’s Radio Communication Safety Seminars and focuses on non-towered radio communications. Although Federal Aviation Regulations don’t require pilots to make radio calls at non-towered airports, it is strongly advised for safety. This seminar will help newer pilots understand the structure of radio calls for non-towered airports and how to improve their own radio skills.
Herb Patten, Chief Pilot AGI and CFI and SCFC Founder Dan Dyer, will walk participants through a foundation of non-towered radio communication phraseology and use, from the basics through advanced. Learn how to make radio communication easier and safer for all pilots.
This will be an important seminar for pilots struggling with radio communications. If this is you, plan to attend. Build your confidence, and be the pilot you want to be.

Dan Dyer is the founder of the San Carlos Flight Center, and has built the motto of Safety, Community, and Adventure for over 8 years. Dan was an instructor for 15 years, accumulated over 4,000 flight hours, and is the Bay Area’s local expert in crosswind landing instruction. He is known for finding simple and innovative ways to explain complex topics and regularly speaks on advanced ground school topics. Find out more about Dan at www.sancarlosflight.com or contact him at dan@sancarlosflight.com
Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 2,500 hours in more than 130 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2023, Herb was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

Aerobatic Flying
2023-06-10 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will be held in person at SCFC, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.

Are you interested in watching more seminars like this? Check out our recorded growing seminar library available for Web Members. Click here to view.

Embark on an extraordinary journey into the world of aerobatics, where the exhilaration of breathtaking maneuvers meets the unwavering commitment to safety at every turn. The world of aerobatics can be an exhilarating and captivating aspect within aviation. Aerobatics offers pilots the opportunity to fully understand the capabilities of their aircraft and themselves.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Air Transport Pilot Ross Ferguson and Aerobatic Pilot Kamryn Lamperchet to share how to get started with aerobatic flying. In this seminar, learn how to begin your aerobatic flying journey, what to consider when selecting an instructor and aircraft, and gain valuable insights into venturing into the world of competition aerobatics.
Whether you are wanting to perform aerial maneuvers or are considering entering the competitive arena, this presentation is ideal for you. By tuning into this seminar, participants will gain a solid understanding of the initial steps required to embark on their aerobatic journey, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

Ross Ferguson, CFI. Ross has been a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and Airline Pilot for more than 25 years. He has flown aircraft ranging from Ultralights to transport aircraft including many Airbus and Boeing jets. Ross has owned and operated his own aircraft and is currently a member of the US Yak-52 Aerobatic Team.
Kamryn Lamperchet is a new IAC competitor in the Yak-52 competing in Primary and Sportsman aerobatics.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

Unleaded Fuel
2023-06-14 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will be held in-person at SCFC, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.
Interested in watching more of our safety seminars? Check out out growing library of over 500 Safety Seminars available for Members in our Members Only Seminar Library, available to view by clicking here.

San Carlos Flight Center was proud to work with Rabbit Aviation to be the first flight school in California to have aircraft running on unleaded fuel in its fleet. California and the SF Bay Area are often the leaders on environmental issues, and aviation fuel should be no different. Join us to find out what is happening in the quest to remove lead from aviation fuel.
A few years ago, San Carlos Airport received undeserved attention when reports of unusually high levels of lead were measured by improperly-placed monitors only a few feet from the aircraft runup area. The misunderstanding added momentum to efforts already underway by Rabbit and other at San Carlos Airport to speed the arrival of unleaded fuel for sale. San Carlos Flight Center participated in early testing and soon obtained the STCs to operate a portion of planes in its fleet on unleaded fuel. As awareness of the true situation at San Carlos Airport became known, the airport has gone from being falsely reprimanded about lead to being a recognized leader in the effort.
Dan will also discuss the safety and practicality of using unleaded aircraft fuel. Many planes will fly on both types of fuel, but authorization and inspection is required to make the switch. Obviously fuel is a critical component to safe engine operation and using the wrong type of fuel can cause serious engine damage. Improper fuel can even cause the engine to fail during flight. Knowing your fuel facts is a compulsory preflight inspection safety point, and something every pilot should consider important.

Dan DeMeo, owner of Rabbit Aviation, leads this discussion about the use of unleaded fuel in aircraft engines. He will review the history of why the aviation industry has been so slow to adopt unleaded fuel, what has happened so far in the unleaded fuel market, the future of leaded aviation fuel, and what San Carlos Airport has done to get ahead of the trend.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.

NO Safety Seminar on Saturday, July 17
2023-06-17
There will be no Safety Seminar on Saturday, July 17th. Please join us back for our next seminar on Wednesday, June 21st at 7 PM.
– SCFC Seminar Planning Team
