San Carlos Flight Center

Mountain Flying
2022-05-14 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Flying in the mountains can be some of the most amazingly beautiful and satisfying flying you may ever accomplish. But it comes with increased risk, and thereby increased responsibility. Every day, GA pilots who fly in the mountains safely calculate and plan for such risk, and you can too.
Spring weather brings cool temperatures, clear skies and smooth air. It can also occasionally bring the threat of snow and ice, which are good things to learn to respect during trips to airports at higher elevations. Join CFI Brian Eliot for an overview of elements of mountain flying. We’ll look at how terrain and mountain weather patterns affect one another and what that means to pilots of small aircraft. We will discuss how to calculate density and what it means for landing and departing at high-altitude mountain airports. And no mountain flying discussion is complete without emergency preparedness and survival gear.

Mountain Flying
2022-05-14 12:00 - 13:30
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 mountains can be some of the most amazingly beautiful and satisfying flying you may ever accomplish. But it comes with increased risk, and thereby increased responsibility. Every day, GA pilots who fly in the mountains safely calculate and plan for such risks, and you can too.
Spring weather brings cool temperatures, clear skies and smooth air. It can also occasionally bring the threat of snow and ice, which are good things to learn to respect during trips to airports at higher elevations. Join CFI Brian Eliot for an overview of elements of mountain flying. We’ll look at how terrain and mountain weather patterns affect one another and what that means to pilots of small aircraft. We will discuss how to calculate density and what it means for landing and departing at high-altitude mountain airports. And no mountain flying discussion is complete without emergency preparedness and survival gear.
This seminar is intended to meet the ground training requirement for an SCFC Mountain Checkout, and is required for all pilots participating in the FlyOutGroup 5-day Mountain Flying trip in early July.
If you are planning a trip to the mountains anytime soon, or just want to learn more about mountain flying; don’t miss out on this seminar.

Brian Eliot is San Carlos Flight Center’s 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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

Full Moon Flyers: Hollister
2022-05-16 19:00 - 21:00
Need to practice night flying, or just want to gain more experience at night? Come join us for dinner at Seabrisa’s Eatery in Hollister (CVH) on May 16th at 7 PM.
On the way down, soak in the gorgeous sunset over the coastal mountains before descending into Hollister Airport. Make sure to remain clear of the San Jose final approach course, and consider talking to NorCal Approach to have an extra set of eyes looking out for you. Park in transient parking, and then at 7 PM, walk across the street to the local airport restaurant – Seabrisa’s Eatery! A local favorite for many pilots in the area, they’re known for their unique flavors and vegetables grown from many of the local farms.
After dinner, Hollister is a great place to work on night landings or fly to San Jose (SJC) to complete your night requirements there. With big runways, it’s easy to make the landings to a stop-and-go, and you’ll enjoy the challenge of flying alongside jet traffic.
Everyone is welcome to join us, so please RSVP below and we’ll see you at the event.

Adventures in Crosswinds
2022-05-18 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Do you remember as a student pilot fearing crosswind landings? Perhaps at some level you still do. Did you find yourself avoiding great airport destinations because of hesitancy around even mild crosswinds? Were you taught to believe that landing in a crosswind is a different harder technique than a “normal” landing?
Dan Dyer and San Carlos Flight Center, the only flight school on the west coast with a crosswind simulator, is committed to training pilots competence in all landings. In this seminar, Dyer will take you step by step through all phases of landings with and without crosswinds, so that you approach every landing the same way. With a bit of practice you will land as easy as stopping your car at a stoplight. It’s part of the flight, no big deal, in fact it will become the best and most fun part of the flight.
Imagine approaching a landing with the same confidence you have with every landing. In fact you now even enjoy the challenge of a crosswind. Don’t miss out on this seminar to be a better pilot.

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.

Maintenance Logbooks for Dummies
2022-05-21 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Aircraft records are significant for safety and legal reasons. Maintenance and inspections are meticulously recorded in more aircraft logbooks, such as airframe, engine, propeller, and sometimes avionics. Pilots need to understand the details of aircraft logbook entries to validate the airworthiness of the airplane before flight, especially after the plane has returned from servicing.
Preparing for a checkride is one instance where the pilot-in-command needs to know every piece of the aircraft’s airworthiness. When was the last annual inspection? If 100-hour inspections are required, when was the last 100 hour inspection done? Has the work been logged appropriately in the maintenance records. Are all the airworthiness directives complied with? Being able to read and interpret maintenance logbook entries is the only way to confirm the aircraft is airworthy.
In this seminar, Join Private Pilot Alessandro Franco as he examines aircraft maintenance logbook entries and highlights what you need to pay attention to as a PIC. We encourage any pilot to attend.

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. He has always enjoyed sharing his knowledge with fellow pilots and hopes you can benefit from this seminar.

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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

Journey to Oshkosh
2022-05-25 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

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?
As AirVenture 2022 closes in, San Carlos Flight Center invites Oliver Coolidge, an experienced Oshkosh Pilot and CFI, and pilot Obed Han to talk to our local pilots 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 became interested in aviation after taking a Young Eagles flight in 2018, and is now a student pilot solo. 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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

Path to Getting an A&P Certificate
2022-05-28 12:00 - 13:30
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 know first hand how much hard work it takes to earn a pilot certificate. What many don’t know is that the standards for certification of aviation mechanics is just as high or higher. The process of obtaining an Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic certificate encompasses a thorough curriculum requiring comprehensive ground and practical knowledge.
San Carlos Flight Center invites A&P Tim Davis to cover what’s involved in getting an A&P license. In this seminar, Tim will cover how the license is structured, what the basic requirements are, and the time and commitment involved. He will dive into what topics are actually covered in the knowledge (written) tests, and what the skill (oral and practical) tests consist of. There will also be a discussion of the expectations associated with the mechanic certificate, as well as other, related certifications that are also available.
The safety of flight relies on the competency and awareness of everyone associated with the flight, beginning with every mechanic who has ever worked on your airplane. If you are an aspiring mechanic, or a veteran pilot we hope this seminar will give you a depth of understanding of how rigorous the process is for new mechanics.

Tim Davis is an A&P and aircraft mechanic at San Carlos Flight Center. A Bay Area native, he worked as a Quality Analyst for Electronic Arts and Blizzard Entertainment before completing aircraft maintenance training at City College of San Francisco and earning his A&P certificate.

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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

Airport of the Month: Oceano
2022-06-01 - 2022-06-30
Summer has arrived, so what better way to kick off the season than with a trip to the beach? This June, head down south to Oceano Airport (L52), where a seaside airport awaits you on a sunny day.
Located south of San Luis Obispo, Oceano is famous for its miles of sand dunes and beachfront access. The dunes are a common attraction for thrill-seekers who attempt to take beach buggies up and down the sandy slopes, and there are even rides available if you want to try them for yourself. Other highlights include the numerous restaurants a five-minute walk from the airport or grab a ride-share into the nearby town of Pismo Beach for more options. The restaurants that specialize in crab dishes are particularly noteworthy. You can even get it to go if you’d like to take it to the beach for a picnic!
Oceano Airport is small with only a 2300-foot runway, but it does have self-serve fuel and a small terminal building. You may also utilize the camping spots next to transient parking if you want to stay overnight.
The arrival and departure from this airport are incredibly scenic, but ensure that you remain clear of San Luis Obispo’s airspace and the restricted areas to the south unless you have permission from ATC to enter. Passengers are encouraged to have their cameras ready, as the views are spectacular.
Want to learn more about flying to Oceano? You can view a Safety Seminar on flying to Oceano in our Seminar Video Archive. Just search “Oceano” in the search field to view it!

Getting a Seaplane Certificate
2022-06-01 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Is taking off and landing on solid ground starting to feel too easy? Are you looking to add more factors for consideration on landing? Then a seaplane is the right choice for you. Most pilots never even consider flying on floats, but a whole new world awaits for you and your pilot certificate in the water. A seaplane rating brings a wealth of new experiences for any pilot giving you the freedom to fly in new places with different, unique aircraft. So are you ready to take to the water?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Commercial Pilot Chris Rimer to speak about his experience obtaining his seaplane rating. In this seminar, Ron will show the prerequisites for the rating, provide a training overview, and highlight the things you can do with a seaplane rating. Additionally he will introduce many of the new concepts specific to water operations. With new takeoff and landing procedures, step taxi turns, plow turns, idle taxiing, sailing, docking, ramping, beaching, mooring and more, there is always something to learn.
The seaplane rating can be one of the most rewarding and fun flying experiences for any pilot. If you are interested in learning more about what it takes to add this class, join us for this seminar.

Chris Rimer has been a San Carlos Flight Center member since its earlier days, and a pilot at SQL since 1999 (he earned his PPL at Concord in 1997). He is a commercial single and multi-rated pilot, and also has a private single engine sea rating to keep things fun. You’ll often see him flying Cessna 182s or his Bonanza A36 around California. He’s presently working toward his ATP and is always looking for opportunities to fly as he works toward that goal this year. He started his career in aerospace working for Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach as an engineer, and dreams of flying the MD-11s he worked on there 30 years ago.

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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

Webinar
2022-06-02 08:00 - 17:00, 2022-07-02 08:00 - 17:00

NO SAFETY SEMINAR on June 4th
2022-06-04
San Carlos Flight Center is excited to kick off Summer 2022 with a BBQ! Join us on Saturday, June 4th at 12 PM for lots of tasty food and exciting activities.
As a result, there will be no Safety Seminar on June 4th.
Please join us for our next seminar on Wednesday, June 8th at 7 PM for “A Look into NASA ASRS Reports”. We hope to see you there!

-SCFC Seminar Team

SCFC Summer Kickoff BBQ
2022-06-04 12:00 - 14:00
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.
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!

-Team SCFC

FOG Lunch: Red Bluff
2022-06-05 12:00 - 14:00
This June, let’s go up north and try a new airport restaurant – Breezy’s Wings and Wheels in Red Bluff (RBL)! Located at the airport, enjoy comfort food and breakfast items with a view of the ramp and runway.
The flight up to Red Bluff is simple – once clear of the busy SF/Oakland airspace, follow I-5 up north until reaching the Red Bluff Airport. On clear days, you may be able to see Lassen Peak to the east, the Coast Range to the west, and possibly Mt. Shasta up north. The terrain nearby is flat, making this area a great place to practice ground reference maneuvers, especially if you’re a private or commercial pilot student.
After parking, plan to meet at the restaurant at noon. The restaurant has excellent reviews and is a favorite of Red Bluff residents. People recommend the sandwiches, and say the price is reasonable, especially as you may have leftovers to eat on your way home.
Interested in going? Sign up below if you’re planning on flying up, or feel free to reach out to pilots with open spots to tag along. Hope to see you there!

Understanding SQL tower operations
2022-06-07 18:00 - 19:00
Understand SQL

Understanding SQL Tower Operations and Unique Procedures
2022-06-08 19:00 - 20:30
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 operating at an airport with an operating control tower, there are a number of benefits, but it also requires that pilots adhere to the procedures established for that airport and airspace. Although many procedures are common at towered airports, many times there are unique procedures. Knowing these unique procedures can facilitate working with the tower controllers and get you safely to your destination.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Orlando Felix, Air Traffic Manager for San Carlos Airport, as he shares the relationship between controllers and pilots with the pilot community. He will describe some of the unique challenges that exist at SQL and how pilots and controllers can more effectively work together to improve safety and efficient operations.
If you operate at SQL you will want to tune in to learn about operations at SQL. Ever wonder why the ground controllers instruct pilots to taxi to the runup area? Or why the ATIS mentions that IFR departure should contact ground 10 minutes prior to taxi? These and many other questions will be answered.

Orlando Felix is the current San Carlos Airport Tower Manager. He has been pushing tin at San Carlos for more than 15 years. Prior to that he was a controller with the Air Force.

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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

Ground School Refresher: Aerodynamics
2022-06-11 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Aerodynamics is the basis of flying; without a fundamental understanding of lift, drag, airfoils and more, why are you even flying? While these topics can be quite challenging to master, it’s the foundation to building an exceptional and knowledgeable pilot.
San Carlos Flight Center invites a SCFC CFI to talk about how a pilot might go about understanding the fluid environment of aerodynamics. In this seminar, we will cover the four forces of flight and their effect on an airframe, airfoils, stability in the atmosphere, load factor, V Speeds, performance, and much more. After this seminar, pilots will feel confident knowing that you have refreshed yourself on one of the most difficult parts of aeronautical knowledge.
If you have ever struggled with comprehending this material, or feeling like you need a refresher, you won’t want to miss this seminar.

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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

Full Moon Flyers: Livermore
2022-06-14 19:00 - 21:00
Summer is here, so let’s celebrate with a quick flight over to Livermore for dinner!
Beebs is located on the west side of the airport across from transient parking. After parking in transient, walk the short distance to the Golf Course clubhouse, where the restaurant will be. Please plan to be seated by 7:00 PM. With a variety of food and options, there are plenty of choices for everyone.
Feel free to arrive earlier to visit the driving range or play a few holes of golf before dinner, too! The golf course has gear to rent, or you can bring your own.
Since it’s a short flight, consider taking your passengers on a sunset Bay Tour before dinner. The views during the cooler summer 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. Hope to see you there!

Destination Bahamas
2022-06-15 19:00 - 20:30
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 Bahamas is a region known for crystal clear waters, sunshine, and access to a wide array of activities. In addition to prime vacation amenities, this unique destination serves as an excellent outlet for pilots to extend their aeronautical skills and knowledge.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Private Pilot Leonid Igolnik to share lessons learned from his recent trip flying in the region. For Leonid and other pilots alike, it was a chance to expand his skills and adapt to new scenarios, including navigating the international flying route and destinations, as well as the paperwork, required documentation and more. In this seminar, he will summarize this and the processes behind planning a trip of this magnitude.
Whether or not you are planning on visiting the Bahamas, this seminar will serve as a great opportunity for all pilots to improve their flight planning skills.

Leonid Igolnik is a Private Pilot with an Instrument Rating. He has extensive flying experience across America and even internationally in various different aircraft models. He is excited to share his learnable moments with you.

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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

Advice from the Other Side: An SFO Controller’s Guide to Class B Operations and VFR Transitions
2022-06-18 12:00 - 13:30
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 afternoon 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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

A Look Into NASA ASRS Reports
2022-06-22 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

NASA ASRS reports protect pilots from being sanctioned for their mistakes. After being de-identified, ASRS reports are analyzed, and used to make recommendations for improvements to the ATC system and pilot procedures.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Captain Ben Taber with over 18,000 hours of flying to highlight the importance of ASRS reports. Through his collection of ASRS reports, Ben will categorize them into areas from which all of us can learn. In this seminar, Ben will focus on his experiences depicted within his reports and target certain specialty areas. The presentation will conclude with an overview of how to file an ASRS report and the process that follows.
ASRS reports are confidential, voluntary, and non-punitive meaning all pilots should utilize this system. Whether it’s your first time hearing about ASRS reports, or your dozenth report, this is a seminar you won’t want to miss.

Capt. Bennett Taber is a check airman and training captain with over 20 years and 18,000 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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

Getting a Type Rating
2022-06-25 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Most people have flown in a jet as a passenger. A few people have flown jets in a flight simulator. But very few have actually acted as pilot in command of a jet aloft. The process to obtain FAA authorization to pilot a jet is not an easy one. It takes skill, advanced training, and a comprehensive review of systems and operations to fly them. All pilots of jet-powered aircraft must be appropriately type rated by a make/model basis, and the process to obtain them is not easy.
San Carlos Flight Center invites ATP and CFI Russell Bowerman to provide an overview of the training required for a type rating, such as the one needed to fly a jet. In this seminar, he will discuss the prerequisites, training documentation, and extensive processes he went through to receive his EMB 145 type rating. Additionally, Russell will give examples of how thorough and systematic training processes used by the airlines can help all pilots in the safer operation of their aircraft, or during training for their next rating. Whether that is incorporating flows, crew resource management, or adhering to checklists, every flight deck can benefit from these professional flying techniques.
We encourage all pilots to learn from this unique training experience and realize the undertaking of this comprehensive training.

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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

I Just Got ForeFlight, Now What? A Beginners Guide to ForeFlight
2022-06-29 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

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.
**(Note: ForeFlight can be quite overwhelming with features, but basic Internet connection and iPad operation can also be overwhelming. While we hope to talk extensively about ForeFlight, this IS NOT a technical support seminar for basic Internet connectivity and iPad use.)**
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 completed the majority of his flight training at SCFC with over 450 flight hours and has extensive flying experience throughout California in both piston and turbine-powered aircraft. In 2021, Brandan was recognized 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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

Airport of the Month: Rio Vista
2022-07-01 - 2022-07-31
This month’s airport is a great airport to visit for a flight training student – Rio Vista (O88)! While it may look like a normal airport, this small field has a lot of things that make it a great way to add some sizzle to your training.
Located in the Sacramento River Delta, Rio Vista is an untowered airport with two crossing runways. There is self-serve fuel available, and a small FBO on the field with a pilot lounge. The area is noteworthy for the breeze that picks up, making landings very tricky.
Are you a private pilot student? Grab a CFI and hone your crosswind landing technique on the runway with the most crosswind. You’ll be surprised at how much better you get once you practice a few laps in the pattern. Don’t forget your short field landings, either. With one runway only 2,200’ long, you’ll be great at nailing your precision landings for your checkride.
Commercial students will benefit from the same features, but also will like the flat river area for ground reference maneuvers like Eights on Pylons. Lots of small bridges, floats, and structures abound in the Delta region, making it easy to practice all types of ground reference maneuvers!
Instrument students and pilots also have a GPS approach to use, as well. The circling minimums are fairly low, and with the two runways, pilots appreciate the challenge of perfecting their circling approaches to the airport after reaching minimums. In summer, it’s rarely foggy, making this a great airport to practice at with a CFII or safety pilot.
If you head up to Rio Vista this month, let us know what you worked on and how it went at flyoutgroup@sancarlosflight.com. We look forward to hearing about your adventures.

A “Stabilized Approach” to Learning to Land
2022-07-02 12:00 - 13:30
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 sounds like such a simple concept, to fly a “stabilized approach” to the runway. It’s something new student pilots are told as they begin to master approach to land and landing. But that simple phrase can be interpreted many ways, and some work better for new students than others. Take a moment and listen to this presentation as we dissect both the final approach leg of the traffic pattern and the instructional methods used to help new pilots fly it well.
SCFC invites back CFI Dan Dyer, whose passion for effective instruction and for landing in particular give him the perfect vantage point to help us pull apart the issues behind what a stabilized approach is. Dan will share his journey as a pilot and some of the mistakes he made along the way to building landing proficiency, and how for many years his understanding of “stabilized” was working against him. As an instructor, he had to rebuild the thought process behind flying a final approach and has found a way that is easier for new pilots to think about aircraft control on final, including what he believes is the most effective order of operations on final and on short final.
If you are a new student struggling with landings, or even if you’re an advanced pilot that wants a different way to think about the control paradigm that sets you up for the perfect landing, join us to hear this new approach to stabilized landing.

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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

FOG Lunch: San Luis Obispo
2022-07-02 12:00 - 14:00
This July, venture down the Salinas Valley to San Luis Obispo (SBP) and enjoy brunch at the Spirit of San Luis Restaurant. Known for their California-fare, their omelets, scrambles, and hamburgers sample local ingredients and are served alongside an excellent outdoor view of the airport ramp and runways.
On the flight down, travel down via Monterey Bay, the Salinas Valley, and then descend over the rolling hills south of the Paso Robles VOR. San Luis Obispo Airport also has a variety of instrument approach procedures, including an ILS, RNAV, and VOR approach. This is a great opportunity to fly down earlier in the morning and log a few approaches for currency or practice with a safety pilot or CFII, and then treat yourself to some great food afterward. On the return flight home, treat your passengers to a flight up the Central California Coast if you’d like, with gorgeous views of Big Sur, the coastline, Bixby Bridge, and more.
Please plan to arrive at the short-term transient parking a few minutes before noon, which is located on the northwest side of the control tower. Leave the ramp, and the restaurant is a two-minute walk to the north.
As always, please make sure to RSVP and book your plane early! We look forward to seeing you at the Spirit of San Luis!

5-Day Colorado Mountain Training Trip
2022-07-06 - 2022-07-10
Each year an armada of 182s departs the Bay Area bound for a fun and amazing mountain flying adventure! This year we head back to Colorado for some awesome Rocky Mountain flying. We will take the southern route through Arizona, landing at the KSEZ for an overnight stay in Sedona. Day two we journey into the heart of the Rockies for a two-night stay in Eagle, Colorado, our home base for mountain flying. Eagle is situated among the best mountain passes and 40 NM Northwest of the famous Leadville Airport, North America’s highest airport at 9927′. Day Four we overfly the Grand Canyon en route to Las Vegas. The trip is a great opportunity to master advanced avionics, get an airplane-specific checkout and earn your high-performance endorsement. Each plane will have 1 CFI and 2 pilots on board. With two pilots per CFI and aircraft, the daily rate is halved between you and whomever you fly with to get mountain flying experience.
It promises to be an unforgettable flying adventure with plenty of room for ground-based fun as well.

The trip is billed by SCFC at aircraft Hobbs time and instructor daily rate. The costs below is per person and assumes 2 people sharing airplane and CFI costs.
CFI: 2.5 daily rates @ $665/day = $1657.50
Airplane: 12 Hobbs hours @ $245/hr = $2940
Lodging: 4 nights @ $165/night = $660
Rental car: 2 nights @ $150/night = $300
Estimated total cost: $5,563 (excludes food, incidentals, ride-share at destinations without rental cars, etc.)
Contact the SCFC Chief Pilot team (chiefpilot@sancarlosflight.com) to express interest in and sign up for the trip.

Path to Getting a Flight Instructor Certificate
2022-07-06 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Is teaching your passion? Are you a commercial pilot? Do you want to train the next generation of pilots? Then obtaining the Certified Flight Instructor certificate, or CFI is the right choice for you. Being a CFI is one of the most common flying careers a commercial pilot might pursue. Becoming an instructor is an excellent way to gain experience while mastering your flying skills, knowledge, and competency.
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Michael Dutton to walk through his journey of becoming a flight instructor. In this seminar, he will provide a high-level overview of the certificate, the applicable regulations and requirements necessary for the rating, and a summary of the training process. This certificate takes time, and should not be rushed. Each CFI candidate must be willing to fully dedicate their time to being an effective teacher. From developing thorough lessons plans to right-seat flying and comprehensive knowledge on a variety of topics, there are no ways to shortcut this process.
The CFI certificate can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a pilots career. Join us to see if you are up for the challenge.

Michael Dutton is a CFI, and CFII in fixed wing with private pilot privileges in helicopters. He’s been flying while working at the San Carlos airport for over seven years, first working for the Flight Center before moving on to Airport Operations. In his off-days, he’s still at the airport as he continues flying and advancing his flying skills.

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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

Ground School Refresher: Airspace
2022-07-09 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

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.

Brandan Dadoun is a commercial, multi-engine pilot and SCFC’s Seminar Coordinator. He has completed the majority of his flight training at SCFC with over 500 flight hours and has extensive flying experience throughout California in both piston and turbine-powered aircraft. In 2021, Brandan was recognized 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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
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.

NO SAFETY SEMINAR on July 13
2022-07-13
There will be no safety seminar on Wednesday, July 13 due to the Full Moon Flyers FOG event. Please consider joining us on the most popular fly-out event of the year. For more information visit our webpage by clicking here.

Look out for our next safety seminar on Saturday, July 16 “I Failed a Checkride – Now What?”.

Thank you and we’ll look forward to seeing you then.

-SCFC Seminar Team
