Operating at Truckee Airport
2020-08-05 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
**Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Truckee Airport is the gateway to Lake Tahoe. The spectacular views of Lake Tahoe are a short flight away, but pilots need to be aware of the challenges associated with these flights. Truckee is settled well above sea level, located between mountainous terrain and gorgeous vistas. This location brings variable weather conditions which can pose tricky to manage for new pilots. While it can be an excellent place to visit, pilots need to be thoroughly familiar with airport procedures and to know what to expect upon their arrival in Truckee.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Mark Covey, the Pilot Outreach Coordinator at the Truckee Airport to talk with pilots about terrain, best routes of travel, tower operations, and upcoming ADS-B ground stations being installed near the airport and its impacts on flight. Truckee is a dynamic airport with noise abatement procedures, curfews, seasonal flight considerations such as density altitude, mountain wave, icing, wildlife and much more. Mark will also briefly touch on some of the things one might want to do in Truckee, along with the services the airport provides to visiting pilots.
If you are looking to plan a trip to Truckee sometime this summer, join us to feel more safe, confident, and knowledgeable on your upcoming trip to Truckee.

Mark Covey has worked at KTRK for 6 years. He started out on the ramp and moved into Aviation & community services as Pilot and Passenger Outreach Coordinator. He is an instrument rated pilot and is currently training for his commercial license. He commonly flies the airport’s 2018 JT-A turbo diesel C172. He is looking forward to presenting with the pilot community.

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.

Useful Rules of Thumbs for Aviators and How We Came Up With Them
2020-08-08 12:00 - 13:30
**Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Aviators use rules of thumb because they provide simple techniques to solve, quickly, possible time critical aviation problems. Often, the simple calculations offered in rules of thumb are only approximations of a more complex derivation.
San Carlos Flight Center invites AGI Michel Vidal-Naquet to discuss how pilots can effectively use these rules of thumb in order to help them both on the ground, and in the air. In this seminar, we will present a number of rules of thumb useful for both VFR and IFR pilots, and show how they come to be. We will provide mathematical derivations based on elementary trigonometry principles and high-school level physics. While the mathematical derivations will appeal to the curious, all attendees will gain a better understanding of the rules and will, hopefully, integrate some into their flying to make them safer pilots.
If you are looking to broaden your understanding of the formulas you use while flying, this is the seminar for you.

Michel Vidal-Naquet is an advanced ground instructor and an instrument rated private pilot with about 680 flight hours. He started flying in 2013 after settling in the Bay area to work as a computer scientist and engineer. His passion for aviation began during his early childhood when his family first took him on international flights. He brings a scientific point of view to his flying, and is always learning.

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.

Destination: Colorado
2020-08-12 19:00 - 20:30
**Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Mountainous terrain, high density altitudes, steep approaches, and much more face a pilots challenging journey to Colorado. Luckily, upon arrival a pilot can be rewarded by gorgeous vistas, scenery, and outdoor activities to do with their families. Planning a trip to such a demanding destination can require extensive planning and readiness; regardless, pilots must be thoroughly familiar with all things necessary to get them to Colorado safely and efficiently.
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Stephen Heesacker to talk about what a pilot might expect while on their journey to Colorado. In this seminar, Herb will outline the possible routes a pilot might take, review area specific weather patterns, and review the extra emergency survival equipment a pilot might take on their way to Colorado.
If you are planning a trip to Colorado sometime this summer, or joining the Bay Area Fly Out Group (FOG) on their trip from August 26th to August 30th; this is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with these procedures. San Carlos Flight Center requires all participants flying to Colorado with FOG to watch this seminar.
We hope you will either consider joining us flying to Colorado as a part of our FOG, or venture there on your own accord.

Stephen Heesacker is a senior flight instructor at San Carlos Flight Center. For Stephen, flying has always been a joy. He has a degree in Physics and Aeronautics at San Jose State University and has competed on the San Jose Precision Flight Team and United States Precision Flight Team. Find out more about Stephen at www.sancarlosflight.com or contact him at stephen@sancarlosflight.com.

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.

IFR Distilled – The Essence of IFR Flight
2020-08-15 12:00 - 13:30
**Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

IFR flying involves juggling many tasks: precise navigation, controlling the aircraft by use of the instruments, managing automation, interpreting and following arrival, approach or departure procedures, communicating and complying with ATC instructions to mention a few. In some phases of flights things can happen very fast. It is critical to stay ahead of the airplane while flying IFR. Pilots can be overwhelmed at times flying under IFR, but can it be simplified into a few simple checklists and memory aids.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Dave Kramer, an AGI and commercial pilot who will distill IFR flying down to a few checklists that can be easily memorized and can serve as a basis for IFR flights in many types of airplanes. Having a solid foundation of frequently used procedures during instrument flying can be helpful to a pilot. Flying in instrument conditions is already stressful enough and Dave will show how using these checklists can help an IFR pilot ease the workload and minimize the stress.
Join us for this seminar and Dave will discuss some of the different ways one might relieve the stress while flying IMC.

Dave Kramer MD, an ophthalmologist for over 30 years, is an instrument-rated, tailwheel, complex and high performance endorsed commercial MEL pilot as well as a basic and instrument ground instructor with an interest in weather. He has been flying since 2012, has over 1100 hours of which over 500 have been in the IFR system. He also enjoys long cross country flying, night flying and flying in the LA area.

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.

Challenges Facing Bay Area Coast Guard Pilots
2020-08-19 19:00 - 20:30
**Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Water rescues, stranded boaters, and capsized boats require immediate response from the Coast Guard to save lives. The Coast Guard practices every day for these scenarios but it’s only a matter of time before a real incident occurs; and that’s where they’re put to the test.
San Carlos Flight Center invites the Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, to share the unique air operations they encounter on a daily basis. The men and women of the Coast Guard have to be constantly on guard to handle the unexpected; learn how they prepare for it. In this seminar, the Coast Guard will share how to increase your survival during and after ditching, how they conduct ELT searches, and much more. Furthermore, they will show the different ways you as a pilot can help the Coast Guard in these tense situations, how to get help faster, and save your life.
You won’t want to miss this seminar if you are interested in learning more about Coast Guard Operations in the Bay Area, or more importantly how to become a safer, more knowledgeable pilot.

Lt Commander Jacob Marks’ has many responsibilities in the Coast Guard such as a MH-65 Dolphin Pilot, instructor pilot and flight examiner. My collateral duty is managing a safety system for our Air Station as a Flight Safety Officer. I enjoy flying in the challenging demanding conditions of the bay area and California Coast while helping those in need. I look forward to meeting you and discussing our operations in the bay area and California Coast!

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.

Decoding Bay Area Approach Plates
2020-08-22 12:00 - 13:30
**Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

For many new instrument pilots, approach plates can seem daunting. Approach plates are fundamental for instrument flight into an airport. With the various amounts of instrument approach procedures, it’s vital that pilots are familiar with the different approaches one might encounter on a flight.
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFII Brian Eliot to review approach plates and how a pilot can identify, fly, and perform the approach correctly and efficiently. In this seminar, Brain will review equipment and performance requirements for instrument approaches and how those requirements affect the labeling of the approach chart title to aid the pilot in choosing approaches that can and cannot be flown by the instant aircraft. Along with accounting for factors such as aircraft climb capability, navigation equipment, navigator database, and pilot training that all bear on the proper selection of approaches during planning and during flight.
Learn how to compare charts that upon first examination appear identical in order to pick out the vital, and sometimes game-changing, differences. We will use examples of approaches both from the local area and far afield that illustrate these key points. The approaches that will be examined in this seminar include those from SQL, OAK, HAF, CCR, and APC.
Join us to be a more prepared, and knowledgeable instrument rated pilot.

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 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.

NO Safety Seminars on August 26th or 29th.
2020-08-26 08:00 - 2020-08-31 17:00
During the week of August 24th through August 29th the twice a week safety seminar program is taking a brief hiatus. This hiatus is needed to allow for the transition the Flight Center from its existing facility to a new location. During this time, we invite members to watch one of the 300+ previously recorded seminars.
We thank you for your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to one of our future seminars.

-SCFC Seminar Team

Dont Be an Airhead, How to Handle Tire Failures
2020-09-02 19:00 - 20:30
*Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

You’re on final approach, stable approach and ready to be home after your flight. You touch down softly on the mains and as you lower the nose wheel you experience a distinct shuttering. Or maybe after your touchdown you notice your plane starts skidding in the opposite direction. What could’ve happened? Seems like you blew a tire, now what?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Chief Pilot and AGI Herb Patten, and seasoned pilot Alessandro Franco to discuss options after landing with a blown tire. In this seminar, they will discuss how their own experiences of landing with a blown tire can teach others about how to handle the unexpected. There are many options a pilot can choose: try and exit the runway and make it back to parking, clear the runway, or stop on the runway and request assistance. What is the best option?
If you want to understand how to handle this situation without becoming deflated, join us for 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 1,500 hours into at least 120 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2015, Herb was named a Master Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.
Alessandro Franco is a Private Pilot and the Director of Operations at the San Carlos Flight Center. Alessandro was a recipient of the Upwind Summer Scholarship and has done all of his flight training at San Carlos Flight Center, including his training towards his Instrument Rating, which he is almost finished with.

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 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.

Winter Flying
2020-09-05 12:00 - 13:30
*Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

For pilots that learn to fly in states like California, Arizona, or Florida, flying on days when weather is below freezing may never occur. While this might not be a topic you expect to experience, you may one day fly a winter cross country to somewhere like Colorado or Montana to make the most of the improved performance that comes with cold weather.
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Lukasz Zoromski to share his experiences with winter flying in Wisconsin, his home state. In this seminar, he will discuss pre-flight planning and procedures that you may need to perform during the winter, such as careful consideration of the freezing level and how to properly remove frost and ice from your aircraft. He will also go over how to keep you and your passengers safe and comfortable in the cockpit during flight, and how to respond to potential in-flight emergencies related to icing. Finally, he will discuss the additional steps that must be taken after your flight to ensure that your airplane is ready to go for the next winter flight.
If you are looking to be more prepared on your next winter flight, don’t miss out on this seminar.

Lukasz Zoromski has always been interested in aviation. Ever since going to Oshkosh Airventure as a kid, he got hooked on airplanes. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, he decided to make a career change away from a desk job and began flying with a goal to become a flight instructor. Now that he has achieved that goal, he strives to help new pilots achieve the same goals in a safe and fun way. New to the Bay Area, he is looking forward to flying in a new environment and meeting new people.

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 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.

Ground School Refresher: Beyond Simple Airspace
2020-09-09 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Think you know everything about airspace? It might surprise you to learn there is much more to it then simple alphabet airspace (A, B, C, D, E and G). With many different types of airspaces and restrictions, it could be tough for a pilot to stay proficient within these knowledge areas.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Chief Pilot and CFI Herb Patten to guide us through an exploration of unusual airspace, seeking how to remain compliant with regulations in spite of confusing chartered airspace. Together we will discover the unusual and different airspace defined in 14 CFR part 93 special air traffic rules. We will investigate unique special military areas and tools to check their status. Herb will elucidate the differences between VFR corridors and VFR flyways. Finally, the discussion wouldn’t be complete without exploring class Echo surface areas and a nod to history with a review of airspace classified as TSRA.
Pilots of all backgrounds and ability levels are welcome to attend and participate in this interactive review and exploration of airspace.

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 1,500 hours into at least 120 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2015, Herb was named a Master Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.

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 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.

Fly the Washington DC SFRA without becoming a CNN Headline
2020-09-12 12:00 - 13:30
**Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Ever wondered what it’s like to fly over the most congested, compact, and most important city in America? Flying in the stressful Washington DC SFRA is one of the most challenging airspaces in America, and makes flying in any other airspace seem easy.
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Mari May Baratto to share the “tricks and tips” to demystify the SFRA, and break down the standard procedures. You will learn how to get in and out of the SFRA using local unpublished procedures, so when you hear ATC say “Special awareness training is required for VFR flying within 60 NM of the DCA VOR/DME” you will be prepared. Mari will also review these special procedures and requirements so that any pilot will know what to expect while flying in this demanding area.
If you are ever planning on flying in Washington DC, or just want to delve into what a pilot might need to recognize to fly in a SFRA, don’t miss this seminar.

Mari May Baratto is a Certified Flight Instructor and an FAA Instrument Ground Instructor with experience teaching both Private and Commercial Pilot students. A commercial rated pilot both in Brazil and in the United States, Mari has a diverse background flying through different airspaces, especially through one of the country’s most intimidating areas, the Washington DC SFRA. Mari has been recognized as a 2018 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 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.

Radio Communications 4: Class B and C Airspace
2020-09-16 19:00 - 20:30
*Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Pilots new to the SF Bay area sometimes feel uncomfortable communicating with controllers in busier Class B and C airports. Let’s address that. Let’s talk about radio communications and help each other overcome fears, operate more safely, and smooth the work of Tower and Approach Controllers.
In this seminar, San Carlos Flight Center continues our radio communications series, this time focusing on general aviation operations at Class Bravo and Charlie airports. SFO, OAK, and SJC come with a whole new set of challenges for GA pilots; increased traffic loads operating in the airspace, more frequency congestion, different entrance requirements, and a whole lot more. This seminar can help you to become a more effective communicator within class B and C airspace, and prove to the controllers that you got it under control.
You surely won’t want to miss this seminar if you have ever felt uneasy operating within Class B or C airspace. This seminar is guaranteed to make sure that all pilots will feel safer on their next flight into these airports, don’t miss out.

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 over 1,500 hours and flown into at least 120 different California airports. He is co-founder of the Bay Area Student and New Pilot Support Group, and a board member of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2015, Herb was named a Master Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.

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 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.

How to Ace Your Flight Review
2020-09-19 12:00 - 13:30
*Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

It’s been a while since you’ve flown, and it’s time for your biennial flight review. What do you need to do to feel confident, prepared, and ready to fly?
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Sid Basu to explore what to expect on your next flight review. In this seminar, Sid will review what students could prepare in advance to ace their flight review, such as what are the legal requirements for completing a flight review, currency requirements, and overall aeronautical knowledge. The majority of us will need to do a flight review at one point, so why not be prepared before you get there?
Join us and be ready to tackle your next flight review.

Sid Basu is a CFI ASEL, Commercial ASEL, AMEL and Instrument rated pilot with over 1900 hours total time and over 1300 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 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.

Arcana from the AIM
2020-09-23 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Think you know the insides and outs of the FAR and the AIM? Many pilots are familiar with the basic guidance provided in these sources, however, there are many intricacies detailed in the seldom read pages of the AIM. There are numerous procedures, and techniques covered within the depths of the AIM that might be useful someday.
Have you ever heard of a cruise clearance? How about a through clearance? Vibal? If you have never heard of them, to begin with, or if your palms sweat if someone presses you about this, then it’s time for you to expand your piloting knowledge and discover the full extent of the AIM. San Carlos Flight Center invites Ben Taber ATP and Chief Pilot of Dreamline Aviation to share with pilots how they can become safer, more efficient, and uncover some of the mysteries within the AIM.
Attend this seminar to raise your AIM IQ by 20 points as you broaden your knowledge on the AIM and understand how to utilize some of these arcane procedures.

Capt. Bennett Taber is a check airman and training captain with over 20 years and 17,000 hours of air charter experience throughout the western United States. His first 500 hours of flying were conducted in Alaska. Captain Taber manages flight operations and charter sales for Dreamline Aviation in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a Dreamline Training Captain in Beech King Air aircraft.

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 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.

Hayward Tower Operations
2020-09-26 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

The Bay Area has one of the most dense, and complex airspaces in the United States. Pilots need to be competent to fly in these high density environments for the safety of themselves, their passengers, and other pilots around them. Hayward Airport, located beneath the San Francisco Class Bravo, and the Oakland Class Charlie, has challenges for both pilots and controllers. It’s crucial that pilots understand and comply with ATC instructions while flying at Hayward.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Michael Osburn, an Air Traffic Controller at Hayward Executive Tower to discuss how pilots can better understand local procedures and ATC instructions. Michael will provide a big picture view of air traffic in the Bay Area, what ATC see’s of pilots and airplanes on their radar, then narrowing down to how that flow affects Hayward and their daily operations. After, Michael will delve into Hayward Noise Abatement Procedures, and its relevance to different airspaces, while also keeping emphasis on the importance of pilot understanding of ATC instructions. He will also relay how failure to understand ATC instructions can result in incorrect readbacks, runway incursions, and even larger incidents.
With Michael being an Air Traffic Controller for over 17 years, he has gained his fair share of experiences dealing with pilots from all different ratings and backgrounds. He will share many resources with the audience, and will be open to any questions about Hayward Operations or ATC Interaction in general.
If you want to learn more about how you can become a safer, and more efficient pilot, you won’t want to miss this seminar.

Michael Osburn is a veteran Air Traffic Controller for over 17 years. He has controlling experience at TRACONs such as Point Mugu and Whidbey Island, has provided ATC services overseas for the United States Navy, and currently works as an ATC at Hayward Executive Airport. He has always been an advocate for pilot safety, and enjoys presenting to the 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 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 Low Wing
2020-09-30 19:00 - 20:30
*Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to fly in a low wing aircraft? For once you can see traffic and scenery clearly above you, maneuver easier, and have the pleasure of flying a unique aircraft. Flying a low wing aircraft can seem out of the ordinary for some Private Pilot trainees, but join us and find out why low wings should be part of your flying experience.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Chief Pilot Herb Patten to discuss what some of the advantages are to transitioning to and training, in a low wing aircraft. In this seminar, Herb will discuss what a pilot might expect while flying a low wing such as the change in maneuvering characteristics, landing attitudes, speeds, systems, and overall performance. We will also discuss several different scenarios in which a low wing can surpass its competitor training aircraft.
If you are a student pilot that is looking to stand out amongst the rest of your flying peers, join us for this seminar to find out why flying a low wing is a good choice.

Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at 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 1,500 hours into at least 120 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2015, Herb was named a Master Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.

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 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.

GSR: Aircraft Engines and Systems
2020-10-03 12:00 - 13:30
*Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Are you a master of the systems in your aircraft? Do you understand the fine differences between the ignition system vs. the electrical system? When was the last time you refreshed your knowledge of engine principles or the the induction system? If it has been a while or you just need a refresher, this is the place to be.
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Daniel Sanchez Ruiz to talk about aircraft engines and some of the other systems used on most small general aviation aircraft. The material will be presented at the level of student pilots training for a private certificate. If you’re not a natural mechanic, these aircraft systems can seem daunting, but Daniel will give you a good foundation on which to learn.
We encourage all of you to invest in your knowledge and abilities, and refocus your attention to become the best pilot you can be. Join us for this seminar, and we bet you won’t be disappointed.

Daniel Sanchez Ruiz is a flight instructor at San Carlos Flight Center. He began his aviation career with maintenance training in Caracas, Venezuela, but quickly moved into flying as a pilot. After moving to the United States seven years ago, he attained his Commercial certificate, instrument rating, and eventually CFI. He came to SCFC after working at SFO as a ramp agent, and has trained at Tradewinds Aviation in San Jose.

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 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.

Using Videos In Your Flight Training
2020-10-07 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Learning how to fly an airplane is a complicated task. Each lesson is learning a new skill. Video recording your flight lessons can be very beneficial. Not only can it show where you made mistakes and how you could fix, it can also be used when reviewing for a phase check, checkride, or BFR. But how should you do it? What equipment should you use and how best to post process the content?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Russell Bowerman, CFI, who has had experience using video during flight, and understands how to effectively use video tools to help his students succeed. In this seminar, Russell will discuss some of the equipment that is required to record video/audio in flight, the advantages of using video in flight, and how to use it effectively.
If you want to get the most out of your flight training, consider joining us for this seminar and learn how in-flight videos can make you a better pilot.

Russell Bowerman has always maintained an interest in aviation, visiting aviation museums, taking sightseeing flights, and staying up to date on all the newest fighter jets and airliners. After receiving his Private Pilot Certificate in 2018, he decided to make a career of it, attaining his Commercial and CFI ratings. Russell has been teaching and loving it ever since. Beyond flying, he really enjoys travelling and feels lucky to meet new people and learn about their diverse backgrounds in the process of flight training.

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 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.

Bay Area Landmarks and Hotspots
2020-10-10 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

The SF Bay Area is filled with gorgeous mountains, ocean vistas, landmarks and more. Navigating the Bay Area VFR can’t be done without knowledge of the relevant landmarks and hotspots. As VFR Pilots it’s important that we recognize, understand, and use these noticeable areas to our advantage while navigating the Bay Area’s complex airspace.
San Carlos Flight Center invites commercial pilot and AGI Dave Kramer as he reviews Bay Area Landmarks. In this seminar, Dave will identify the different points of interests that can easily be visually located from the air or found on a sectional chart. Competent pilots can use these points to plan their flights around complex airspace, and feel confident that you’ll never miss a visual waypoint again.
If you are a student, or private pilot, this is the seminar for you. Learn more about how you can perfect your navigation skills by utilizing these landmarks right in our backyard.

Dave Kramer MD, an ophthalmologist for over 30 years, is an instrument rated, tailwheel, complex and high performance endorsed commercial MEL pilot as well as a basic and instrument ground instructor with an interest in weather. He has been flying since 2012, has over 1100 hours of which over 500 have been in the IFR system. He also enjoys long cross country flying, night flying and flying in the LA area.

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 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.

A Trip to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, What to Expect? A FOG Trip Recap
2020-10-14 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.
The Colorado mountains are filled with countless picturesque sights and landmarks, and the Bay Area Fly Out Group (FOG) recently experienced that on an amazing flying trip throughout the rocky mountains. Colorado brings pilots some of the most challenging terrains to fly around, and toughest airports to land at; and during this seminar you’ll find out what our pilots experienced on this adventure of a lifetime.
San Carlos Flight Center invites private pilot Michael Dutton to discuss some of the highlights from the trip which include mountain flying operations, high density altitude awareness, positive aircraft control, and the application of true cross-country flight planning. Join us for a recap of this trip with picture and video highlights, and insights from the pilots that attended.

Michael Dutton is a Private Pilot, rated in both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft, with over three hundred flight hours. When he isn’t flying or working, he loves to explore the outdoors, go camping, and teach others!

Advice from the Other Side: An SFO Controller’s Guide to Class B Operations and VFR Transitions
2020-10-17 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Flying in Class Bravo airspace can be intimidating. Pilots are often unfamiliar with the workings of Class B air traffic controllers and the commercial operations that go on there. It can be overwhelming when tower controllers issue rapid-fire instructions. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Come spend an evening with Daniele Ferlito, a current Air Traffic Controller at SFO Tower. Daniele will talk you through the do’s and don’ts of VFR pilots transitioning through the dense Class B airspace around the SF Bay Area, along with delving into daily operations at SFO. Learn how to safely transition along one of the many transition routes, avoid jet traffic, and how to effectively work with controllers.
After the seminar, you’ll have more confidence the next time you call up San Francisco Tower with a bay tour request. If you’ve ever wondered how ATCs make decisions on the fly and keep our airspace moving quickly and safely, this is a great chance to learn more!

Daniele Ferlito is an Air Traffic Control Specialist at San Francisco Airport. Born and raised in Italy, he lived there until age 11, and has been in the Bay Area since ’94. After a year at UC Davis he joined the Marine Corps, interested in aviation. (’03-’08) He then signed up for the air crew, ended up in air traffic control not knowing what it was. After a 16-week air traffic academy in Pensacola, FL, 3.5 years as an ATC at MCAS Camp Pendleton, 7 months deployed in Iraq, and an 8-week FAA ATC academy in Oklahoma City, brought him to SFO Tower in 2010. He is a dedicated controller and committed towards making GA pilots informed and safe while operating around class B airspaces.

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 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.

What to Expect When Flying at Night
2020-10-21 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

On November 1st, Daylight Saving Time will be ending, and with it brings early nightfall. For those of us who work a regular 9-5 schedule, early nightfall means an increase in night flying time. How current are your night skills? Maybe now is a good time to focus on the difference between day VFR and night VFR flight.
Obviously, less ambient light adds challenges for anything requiring eyesight. This includes preflight inspection, taxi safety, obstruction avoidance, IMC recognition and avoidance, cockpit resource management, and a number of other things. Most familiar to pilots is probably the differences in landing. The sight picture of a normal approach to a runway is very different with reduced external visual cues from night. Flashing lights can help or hurt pilot attention and recognition.
So should night flight be avoided? Not necessarily. Night flight brings with it reduced ATC workloads, often calmer winds, cooler temperatures that help performance, and the ability to spot traffic from farther off. Your decision about flying at night can be aided by attending a Night Flying Refresher seminar like this one.

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 1,500 hours into at least 120 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2015, Herb was named a Master Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.

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 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.

Effective Use of the PAVE Checklist for Flight Planning and Checkrides
2020-10-24 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

The PAVE Checklist has long been promoted by the FAA as a primary tool for risk management during flight planning. But have you ever thought it could double as a guide to your (or your students’) checkride oral?
San Carlos Flight Center invites ATP/CFI Daniel Stellini to discuss the effectiveness of the PAVE checklist, and how it can be used successfully for flight operations and as a guide to your checkride. This seminar will go beyond PAVE as a simple acronym by presenting it in a highly useful format for all pilots. The normal PAVE checklist ensures a pilot can mitigate risks, and has gathered all information regarding the flight. In this new way of approaching the PAVE checklist, you will learn how it’s an effective tool for planning, learning, or preparing for a checkride.
Whether you’re a veteran pilot, a student preparing for any checkride, or an instructor, the PAVE checklist (presented in this new way) can make you a better pilot.

Daniel Stellini is a CFII and an airline pilot with extensive experience from Cessnas to Airbus A320’s. He is committed to developing safe and competent pilots, and is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor. In his freetime, he likes playing music, and teaching others how to become better 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 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.

How Can I Get the Most Out of My Engine? A Deep Study of Engine Performance.
2020-10-28 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Finding an altitude for best engine performance can be tiresome and time consuming if you don’t know how to get the most out of your engine. Each manufacturer provides performance numbers and guidelines on how to operate their engines. The terms “Economy Cruise” or “Best Power” are often used by the manufacturer, but what is the best you could get out of your engine? What really is BHP? What’s the stoichiometric ratio, and how can you make sense of all of their information?
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI and physicist Stephen Heesacker to delve into how engines work, why their performance varies with altitude, and explore the POH’s from Cessna 152’s, 172’s, and 182’s. In this seminar, Stephen will investigate the meaning of common questions on a cross-country flight such as; what is the best propellor setting and why? What is BHP and how does that actually affect my flight? Why can’t I find the reasoning behind this information in the POH? How does the stoichiometric ratio make a difference when it comes to finding best power vs. best economy? Luckily, through the eyes of a CFI and physicist, these questions, along with many more will be answered.
Join us to learn how you can impress your CFI on your next flight by understanding why engine manufacturers put out this information, how to make sense of it, finding the best altitude for engine performance, and get the most out of your engine.

Stephen Heesacker is a flight instructor at San Carlos Flight Center. For Stephen, flying has always been a joy. He has a degree in Physics and Aeronautics at San Jose State University and has competed on the San Jose Precision Flight Team and United States Precision Flight Team. Find out more about Stephen at www.sancarlosflight.com or contact him at stephen@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 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.

Flying the Bay Tour
2020-10-31 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

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”? And, how was it affected by last year’s Bravo airspace changes? How did it affect the Bay Tour, and what new implementations will require pilots need to take to account? Founder of the SCFC Dan Dyer will examine the airspace, explain the “Bay Tour” and how a pilot can accomplish one in the safest, simplest, most enjoyable manner.
We’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.”
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 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.

Threat and Error Management
2020-11-04 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Threat and Error Management (TEM) is an overarching safety management approach that assumes that pilots will naturally make mistakes and encounter risky situations during flight operations. Airlines have used Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM) programs to dramatically reduce the number of accidents and incidents due to human error.
San Carlos Flight Center has invited Ross Ferguson, an airline pilot and flight instructor with more than 25 years of experience, to share tips for a general aviation audience. In his presentation, Ross will describe ways that these skills can be used by pilots even if they are not flying for the airlines. Ross will highlight general aviation safety record, TEM skills, situational awareness, and the startle effect. The presentation will culminate with a short case study involving a Cessna 172.
Don’t miss out on this presentation if you want to become a safer and more attentive pilot.

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.

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 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.

Destination Nut Tree Vacaville (VCB)
2020-11-07 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Nut Tree Airport is the gateway to a fun, and memorable day in Vacaville. If you are a fan of great ice cream, cuisine, or shopping this is the destination for you. It is only a short cross-country trip away from the Bay Area.
San Carlos Flight Center invites student pilot Brandan Dadoun to discuss what pilots need to know when flying into the Nut Tree Airport. He will include insights about operating within close vicinity of Travis Air Force Base, a highly active alert area conducting hundreds of military operations daily; along with how to safely operate at the Nut Tree Airport. He’ll cover the different entry/exit procedures to which pilots must follow while operating at VCB, noise abatement procedures, airport lighting, and general operations at a non-towered airport. He will also highlight the importance of flight following allowing for seamless transit and traffic advisories across the active alert area. Lastly, Brandan will also talk about what to do after landing at Nut Tree including airport amenities, aircraft parking, restaurants, and access to the shopping outlets.
Join us to learn more about this easy-to-access, quick day trip from the Bay Area, all while enjoying splendid food, and splurging on your best attire.

Brandan Dadoun is a student pilot solo and SCFC’s Seminar Coordinator. He has completed the majority of his flight training at SCFC with over 100 flight hours. He is an advocate for getting youth involved in aviation and is actively involved in many aviation programs. He is an active volunteer at the Hiller Aviation Museum, and has ventured extensively throughout California. Brandan loves teaching others when he is not flying himself.

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 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.

The Remarkable PT6 Engine
2020-11-11 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

The Pratt & Whitney PT6 engine is a remarkable story of a remarkable engine. With more than 51,000 engines delivered to power some 130 different applications, the PT6 engine can tell quite a story of creativity and transformation. The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6, produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada, is a turboprop aircraft engine. Experience gained from the PT6A has helped spawn many of the engine families that have made P&WC a world leader in the gas turbine engine.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Captain Ben Taber to discuss the PT6 engine, its functionality, and how its design and performance have contributed to it being a safe and reliable powerplant for decades. In this seminar, Ben will discuss the fundamentals of turbine engines, how they work, and how they’re efficiently used in many different real-world applications. From powering airplanes delivering life-saving equipment across mountainous terrain to daily corporate operations across our world, these engines ensure redundancy and safety for every flight.
Join us for an opportunity to learn more about these remarkable engines, and how they safely propel thousands of airplanes to their destinations daily.

Captain Bennett Taber is a check airman and training captain with over 20 years and 17,000 hours of air charter experience throughout the western United States. His first 500 hours of flying were conducted in Alaska. Captain Taber manages flight operations and charter sales for Dreamline Aviation in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a Dreamline Training Captain in Beech King Air aircraft.

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 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.

Understanding IFR Low Enroute Charts
2020-11-14 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Winter is here with all its IMC. The game is real and this is what we train for. You probably have a general understanding of IFR charts including Victor airways and MEAs, but this is the last time to really look closely at all the information available on a chart. Do you recall how to decipher MRAs? How about the different types of fixes found along an airway? We will take a close look at some hidden gems of details on the IFR enroute charts.
SCFC Flight Instructor Herb Patten will present a safety seminar that will help to end the confusion. 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 that are already instrument rated.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity for an in depth review of the common and not so common content on IFR charts.

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 1,500 hours into at least 120 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2015, Herb was named a Master Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.

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 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.

IFR and G1000
2020-11-18 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

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 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.
