San Carlos Flight Center

A Deeper Understanding of Weather Theory
2021-12-11 12:00 - 13:30 (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

A few months ago, SCFC flight instructor Collin Korey presented our Ground School Refresher seminar on Weather Theory, which introduced the basic ideas of differential heating of the Earth, atmospheric circulation, and the impact of moisture in the air. It was a great introduction for student pilots, and a refresher for pilots preparing for a flight review. But it only scratched the surface of the interesting things we now know about weather.
San Carlos Flight Center invites back Collin Korey to take a deeper dive into weather theory. In this seminar, he will provide more advanced details into how weather is created. He will cover how fronts form and its effects on weather within an area, the process of evaporation and condensation, how the Coriolis Effect affects weather, how to detect adverse weather patterns, fog, and much more. The seminar will leave you marveling at how complicated weather systems can be and amazed that we have as much as we have about weather prediction.
With a sophisticated understanding on simple weather topics, pilots can make a more educated decision on their next flight. Join us to push your own weather knowledge deeper.

Collin Korey aspired to be a restauranteur until a thought during an airline flight in Europe formed in his head; “This flying stuff is great, I wonder if I could do it for a living.” Thus, on the day after graduating from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s in Hotel & Restaurant Management, he took a discovery flight at the nearby Flagstaff Pulliam airport, and, an hour later, a new career path was paved. After earning his certificates and ratings in Arizona, Collin continued working as an instructor for about a year before moving to San Carlos in 2021 to search for more clouds and cooler weather.

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. 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 Shelter Cove Getaway
2021-12-11 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Note: In the event of poor weather at Shelter Cove, FOG’s alternate destination will be Oceano (L52).
Perhaps the most remote and hidden airport in California, Shelter Cove (0Q5) is a small outcropping with cliffs on one side of the town, and the Pacific Ocean on the other three sides. Located many miles off a major highway and far from any urban center, Shelter Cove offers peace, relaxation, and serenity for those who travel here.
What would be a five-hour drive can be accomplished with an easy flight from the Bay Area. Follow the coastline after overflying the Golden Gate Bridge, bypassing small airports like Ocean Ridge and Little River, and then descend towards Shelter Cove, which will appear like an aircraft carrier off your nose. As one gets closer, the shoreline cliffs will be taller than your airplane, and don’t get distracted by the crashing waves on short final. After landing, park on the southern side of the airport and enjoy the ocean sounds and the fresh smell of the nearby forest.
Shelter Cove is walkable, so we’ll first grab lunch as a group at The Fish Tank before exploring the local area. North of the airport are black sand beaches, and we can hike alongside them. Take in the views while enjoying the sunshine and sea breeze. Some may appreciate the many tide pools, where an abundance of small creatures can be seen at low tide. Or bring some golf clubs and play a round of golf at the course right between the airport and the ocean!
Pilots may elect to stay overnight if they wish. Local hotels such as the Inn of the Lost Coast, Castle Inn, Spyglass Inn, and even airport camping are present. Multiple restaurants are open for dinner, as well.
Reminders:
Shelter Cove does not have any fuel or oil service on the field, so please plan your flight accordingly by bringing enough fuel and oil to arrive and depart. Many nearby airports have fuel as well, including Garberville (O16), Little River (LLR), and Santa Rosa (STS).
The airport also does not have any instrument approaches or departures, nor is lit at night. While we can hope for VFR weather, we’ll monitor the weather and communicate plans accordingly. The airport does not have an AWOS system, but nearby Garberville does. One can also view the local webcam to get an idea of cloud coverage.
Finally, please plan to bring extra chocks and/or ropes for securing your aircraft. There may be some ropes at the airport, but there is no guarantee. If you’re flying a Flight Center aircraft, please let the Front Desk know if you need any extra supplies.

CFI David Agranovich is the lead CFI on the trip, so please feel free to reach out to him at david@sancarlosflight.com with any questions. This is a popular airport and trip, so please make sure to book your plane early and RSVP. We look forward to seeing you on the trip.

Challenges Facing Coast Guard Pilots
2021-12-08 19:00 - 20:30 | 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

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.

Lieutenant Commander Jacob (Jake) Marks’ has many responsibilities in the Coast Guard such as a MH-65 Dolphin Pilot, instructor pilot and flight examiner. His collateral duty is supervising flight operations scheduling for Air Station San Francisco. LCDR Marks is a prior USCG Flight Safety Officer and has a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University specializing in Safety Systems and Human Factors. He enjoys flying in the challenging demanding conditions of the bay area and California Coast while helping those in need. He looks forward to meeting you and discussing his 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 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. 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.

Private Pilot Bucket List
2021-12-04 12:00 - 13:30 | 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

Congratulations, you’ve earned the coveted Private Pilot Certificate. You undoubtedly have a long list of things you want to do and places you want to go.
There are so many reasons to fly and so many great flying challenges that await us, it’s a shame some pilots rarely push themselves beyond a $100 hamburger flight. Join CFI Herb Patten as he shares ideas for flights and activities to consider now that you are free of your instructor. The list of ideas contain unique nearby destinations, airports to go to that can build your skills, and destinations that have nearby activities.
Join us for this exciting discussion that will give you new, fun ideas for ways to use your pilot skills and share the wonder of California with your family and friends.

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. 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
2021-12-02 08:00 - 17:00, 2021-11-02 08:00 - 17:00 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:

Winter Flying
2021-12-01 19:00 - 20:30 | 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

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.

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. 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: Monterey
2021-12-01 - 2021-12-31 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
This month’s airport is a bit closer to home, but it offers many amenities and sights! Monterey (MRY) is a common cross-country airport for students, but have you ever landed and explored the area? With a variety of restaurants, natural features, and indoor attractions, this is a great getaway from the holiday hustle and bustle you may find in the Bay Area.
Monterey has a restaurant on the field – Woody’s at the Airport, which can be located in the terminal building. The best way to reach it is to park at Del Monte Aviation and walk down the quiet road to the airline check-in area. Go up the stairs to access the restaurant.
If you’d like to get off the airport and into town, park at Monterey Jet Center, which offers crew cars that are leased out for a couple of hours. Ten minutes away is Carmel, which has dozens of nice restaurants and shops and is much quieter in the winter than in the warmer months. A variety of hotels and lodging can be found here, as well, making this a great place to fly in for a nice getaway. Monterey also has numerous attractions, from Cannery Row to the Aquarium, which both warrant a few hours to each.
A rental car also allows you to explore the Pacific Coast Highway or Carmel Valley. Contact either FBO to secure a car before your trip.
On the departure, take some time to fly south along the coast to the famous Bixby Bridge. The mountains in the area seem to drop into the water, leading to some amazing views from your aircraft. It’s about 13 NM south of the airport.

If you’re a student pilot, ask your instructor to see if you can fly to Monterey for your cross-country training this month! All other pilots, please let FOG know how your trip was with a PIREP.

Collegiate Aviation – Careers in Aerospace
2021-11-27 12:00 - 13:30 | 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

There are many great options for students looking for a college aviation program. Many colleges offer programs designed to prepare students to join the aviation industry by providing training to become pilots or air traffic controllers. These colleges operate under FAR Part 141 and provide an FAA-approved curriculum.
In this seminar, we have invited pilots from a handful of the most prominent aviation college programs in the country to share their experiences. How do the programs differ? What should a new student know when evaluating these programs?
If you are exploring your next step in aviation education, join this seminar and ask our panelists about their reasons for selecting their schools and how their experience lived up to the expectations.

Dante Pacini is a flight instructor with an instrument instructor rating. He began flight training as part of the Upwind Summer Scholarship Program and San Carlos Flight Center and continued his aviation education at University of North Dakota (UND) where he currently works as an instructor. He plans on pursuing a career at the airlines.

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. 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 – Wednesday, November 24
2021-11-24 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
In observance of Thanksgiving, we are not holding a safety seminar on Wednesday, November 24th. Please enjoy the time with loved ones and friends.
We’ll see you on our next seminar that is airing Saturday, November 27 at 12 PM – “Collegiate Aviation – Careers in Aviation”. In the meantime feel free to browse our growing seminar archive of over 400 safety seminars available to web members. For more information on our web membership visit our website listed here.
-SCFC Seminar Team

Instrument Ground School Refresher – Departure Procedures
2021-11-20 12:00 - 13:30 | 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

IFR departures are one of the most poorly-understood and under-taught topics in IFR flight. The process of getting safely from the surface to the safety of the en-route IFR structure, while avoiding surrounding obstacles, can be daunting. IFR airports can have many different departure procedures. Do you know which one you can expect?
In this Instrument Ground School refresher, CFI Brian Eliot teaches the principles behind IFR departures and the corresponding procedures. He will identify the sources for these procedures and review the critical safety items, as well as what to expect in practice.
If you want a thorough review of this subject, you will want to tune in for this session. This program is a must for pilots working on their instrument rating, or working to stay current with instrument departures.

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. 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.

Saving Lives: Why Charter Regulations Matter
2021-11-17 19:00 - 20:30 | 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

San Carlos Flight Center invites long-time charter Captain Ben Taber to identify some common ways that pilots may inadvertently cross the line and expose themselves to not only penalties but significant risks. In this seminar, Ben will explain how the rules imposed on charter operations were created to reduce risk to life and property, along with explaining why you are forbidden to offer your flying services to the general public.
Regulations prohibit private pilots from being compensated in any way for their role as a pilot. However, every year, both private and commercial pilots run afoul of regulations by conducting flights that can be interpreted as acting as an air carrier or charter operator. Join us for this opportunity for all pilots to increase their awareness and knowledge of flight operations that may on the surface appear reasonable but are in fact illegal charter operations.

Capt. Bennett Taber is a check airman and training captain with over 35 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 2019 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: Airport Signs and Markings
2021-11-13 12:00 - 13:30 | 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

Pop quiz: What is the new ICAO standard marking for a taxiway approaching a runway? What is the difference between a relocated threshold and a displaced threshold and what does that indicate to pilots? What is a runway approach holding sign and what are pilots expected to do?
Most pilots have an operational knowledge of the most common runway signs and markings, but if you travel to a larger airport, are you knowledgeable about some of the less common signs and markings? If it has been awhile since you sat through ground school, you may want to join us for a refresher on airport signs and markings. Join SCFC CFI tyler Sorensen as he reviews the common markings and signs as well as delve into other less common but still important signs and markings.
This safety seminar is open to current and aspiring Private Pilots, and will be of particular interest to student pilots and those who are preparing for a flight review.

Tyler Sorensen is a Bay Area native. He grew up in Fremont and graduated from CSU East Bay. After working in the tech industry for nearly a decade, Tyler made the decision to pursue a career in aviation full-time. It has been his dream to fly since the age of ten, so he got his private pilot certificate in Palo Alto in 2018, and then went on to earn his other certificates soon after. While just being able to share the excitement of flight is amazing, Tyler’s favorite part of teaching is when the student achieves a breakthrough moment on a challenging subject and gains a new level of confidence and understanding.

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. 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.

Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA) Procedures
2021-11-10 19:00 - 20:30 | 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

As instrument-rated pilots, we all have knowledge on many procedures but how often do we execute the unique ones? One unique IFR procedure is the Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA). A VCOA, is an alternative IFR departure procedure design for aircraft which cannot meet the performance requirements of standard IFR obstacle departure procedures (ODPs).
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Brian Eliot to review the charting conventions for VCOA procedures, the basis for their design, and where a pilot can expect to encounter them. We will look at airports and runways served by VCOA. Finally, we present a scenario of requesting and receiving at a non-towered airport a departure clearance incorporating VCOA and follow the progress of the flight thereafter.
If you need a refresher on this procedure or want to learn more about how to fly this correctly, don’t miss out on this seminar.

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. 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.

IMC Club Meeting
2021-11-08 19:00 - 20:30 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
IMC Club is a national organization that meets monthly in the form of local chapters with the objective to promote instrument flying, proficiency, and safety. Pilots of all experience levels are encouraged to and review IFR flying scenarios, review knowledge, and foster general discussions.

If you’re interested, please RSVP to brian@sancarlosflight.com and see the zoom invite link below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89786834855?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 897 8683 4855
Passcode: [REDACTED]

FOG Lunch: Paso Robles
2021-11-07 12:00 - 14:00 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
No plans on Sunday, November 7th? Don’t worry, FOG has you covered! Join us at noon at Joe’s One-Niner Diner in Paso Robles (PRB) for a great brunch served right at the airfield.
Joe’s One-Niner Diner is known for its comfort food in the Paso Robles area. Specialties include their Biscuits and Gravy, as well as anything topped with their homemade Ranchero Sauce. Located in the terminal building at the Paso Robles Airport, pilots can park in transient parking or ACI Jet and walk to the restaurant.
Afterward, feel free to visit the Estrella Warbird Museum and the neighboring Woodland Auto Display, which are located on the southeast corner of the field. The air museum has a large collection of military aircraft dating back to the Second World War, and the auto museum is known for its collection of classic racing cars.
When flying in, please remember to use caution around the special use airspace north of the field. ACI Jet has fuel and other services at PRB, should you need them.
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. We’re looking forward to the event, and hope you are, too!

UL94 - After 2 Months of Use
2021-11-06 12:00 - 13:30 | 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

With the approval and availability of unleaded fuel for use in most GA aircraft, many owners & operators have made the switch. Swift’s UL94 Avgas offers many operational benefits compared to traditional 100LL. What are these benefits and how has this fuel improved the operations of a flight school and their aircraft?
Join the Owner of San Carlos Flight Center, Alessandro Franco, as he discusses the implementation of UL94 in a flight school environment. He will share the process of obtaining and implementing the STCs, the maintenance benefits observed over the past two months on engine spark plugs, cylinder operation, and oil changes, along with an overview on the operating limitations and environmental benefits.
As the first and only flight school at San Carlos Airport to run their entire eligible fleet on Unleaded Avgas, this is a great opportunity to learn more about how to transition your flight school or aircraft to Swift’s UL94 Avgas.

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 was happy to be involved in bringing Swift’s UL94 Avgas to the SCFC fleet, the 1st at San Carlos Airport.

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. 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.

Night Flying
2021-11-03 19:00 - 20:30 | 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

On November 7th, Daylight Savings 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 it’s time to focus on what is different 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. 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 Week 4 Signup
2021-11-02 18:30 - 21:00
Week 3 in-person class sign up.

Airport of the Month: Santa Ynez
2021-11-01 - 2021-11-30 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
This month’s Airport of the Month is Santa Ynez (IZA). Santa Ynez is located on the backside of the Coast Range behind Santa Barbara and is known for the surrounding valley with numerous vineyards, small shops, and quaint villages.
The towns of Santa Ynez and Solvang are easily accessible with a bike, or many ride-share providers service the area. Solvang has a busy downtown area, and many restaurants can be found along the main boulevard. Solvang has a unique Dutch-themed atmosphere, so keep an eye out for the unique architecture and European flair.
For those looking to spend a longer time in the area, why not visit a local vineyard for wine-tasting? This area is known for its fertile grape-growing conditions, and with the rollback of COVID-era procedures, many of the vineyards are open again for wine tasting.
The airport has self-serve fuel, a pilot lounge, and a great website with lots of resources and helpful information. If you visit Santa Ynez this month, let us know what you think with a PIREP!

IFR Operations in the Bay Area
2021-10-30 12:00 - 13:30 | 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

Have you ever wondered why sometimes your practice instrument approaches work well with NorCal and other times it seems like you are just not in rhythm with the controller? Or why the controller may tell you a practice approach is not available? Ever hear the controller ask you about an LTA?
SCFC invites CFI Herb Patten to share some observations about doing instrument approaches in the Bay Area. In this seminar, you will learn about what approaches are not authorized and why, which approaches are limited, and how best to communicate with the controllers.
This topic will be of interest to any instrument pilot that flies in the Bay Area. The insights you gain from this seminar will help you make your next instrument flights go smoothly and avoid getting full scale deflection with a controller.

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. 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.

Destination San Diego
2021-10-27 19:00 - 20:30 | 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

San Diego is a classic Californian destination that boasts pristine beaches, attractions, and beautiful weather. With gorgeous surroundings it’s easy for a pilot to get distracted and not consider the complex airspace and local aeronautical challenges.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Instrument Rated Pilot Brandan Dadoun to discuss what pilots flying to San Diego need to know. With San Diego being a long-cross country from the Bay Area, pilots can put their cross country planning skills to the test. In this seminar Brandan will cover unique flight planning considerations for San Diego including local arrival and departure procedures, route selection for IFR and VFR pilots including TEC routes, transiting the San Diego Bravo airspace, W&B and fuel planning, and services/fees/facilities at multiple locations. Brandan will also cover the advantages of flying into one of the many San Diego airports including: SAN, MYF, and SEE. While concluding on the various activities one can do while enjoying a gorgeous weekend getaway.
Join us for this unique opportunity to delve into operations at the airports within the vicinity of San Diego, and how you can fly there safely and efficiently.

Brandan Dadoun is an instrument-rated private pilot and SCFC’s Seminar Coordinator. He has completed the majority of his flight training at SCFC with over 350 flight hours and has extensive flying experience throughout all of California in both piston and turbine-powered aircraft. He is actively involved within many aviation programs and is currently pursuing his commercial and multi-engine ratings. When he’s not flying, 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 2019 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.

Foreflight vs FltPln Go
2021-10-23 12:00 - 13:30 | 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

Almost every pilot has heard of ForeFlight, but did you know that there is a similar app that’s free to use on the App Store? Garmin’s FltPln Go offers many similar features as ForeFlight, yet doesn’t cost money or require a paid subscription. So, which app is best? What extra features come with ForeFlight?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Travis Bender, an instrument-rated private pilot, will explore the features of each app and share out his findings on each’s performance, user interface, and overall functionality. The seminar will explore the basics of each app, and will highlight the key similarities and differences pilots can expect to find. While this is not a tutorial on how to use either product, it will serve as a helpful guide to selecting the right plan for you. Travis has used both platforms extensively for the last five years in both VFR and IFR environments and will touch on his experiences with each product. By the end, viewers will have more guidance and will be well-informed on which platform they should use.

Travis Bender is an instrument-rated private pilot who learned to fly at the Flight Center. He is actively working on his commercial and CFI ratings, and leads the Marketing and Events team at SCFC. When he’s not at the airport, Travis currently works in a strategic finance role at a major Silicon Valley company.

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. 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
2021-10-20 19:00 - 21:00 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Fall is here, and with the cooler temperatures comes earlier nightfall. Need to practice night flying, or just want to gain more experience at night? Come join us for dinner at Seabrisas Eatery in Hollister (CVH) on October 20th 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 walk across the street to the local airport restaurant – Seabrisas! 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.

What’s Happening at San Carlos Airport
2021-10-20 19:00 - 20:30 | 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

Keeping an airport strong takes a lot of hard work. The airplane owners and pilots of San Carlos Airport are fortunate to have a great team from San Mateo County maintaining and protecting the airport. Issues are addressed instantly, from runway surface issues to refurbishing the hangars, and limiting neighboring construction against flight operations.
SCFC invites San Carlos Airport Manager Gretchen Kelly to update the pilot community on anything that can impact the safety of flight operations. What upcoming closures can pilots expect? What changes can pilots expect to operating rules and procedures? What is the status of work to improve traffic pattern coverage by the contract control tower?
If you fly at San Carlos Airport, this presentation will bring you the latest news and information for pilots coming from the SQL Airport Management office.

Gretchen Kelly manages the San Carlos and Half Moon Bay Airports. Before her current position, she worked in corporate flight planning, medium-hub airport operations, and FAA airport certification/grant funding. Gretchen is a private pilot and holds a master of public administration from USC. She credits her talented staff and home delivery-everything for her work/life balance.

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. 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 Week 2 Signup
2021-10-19 18:30 - 21:00
Register for Week 1 In-Person Ground School Class. Please note, you must be registered for the course and have paid the course fee to be eligible to attend the class.

Insight into the A&P Certificate
2021-10-16 12:00 - 13:30 | 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

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 2019 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.

Pilot Report: What I Saw Flying into Oshkosh
2021-10-13 19:00 - 20:30 | 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

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 or to fly one of the most challenging arrival procedures, and most importantly to land safely.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Oshkosh Pilots Oliver Coolidge and Obed Han as they talk to our local pilots about how they safely and efficiently flew into the “world’s busiest airport” for AirVenture 2021. 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. 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. Join us to learn more about the real-world application of cross-country flight planning, decision making, analysis of complex NOTAMS, and how to safely operate amidst thousands of aircraft.
Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or an aviation novice, if you have wondered what it takes to fly into AirVenture, join us for this seminar.

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 is building a Van’s 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 with over 40 hours in different types of aircraft. He is continuing his training thanks to the EAA James Ray Scholarship. 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 2019 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: Half Moon Bay
2021-10-10 12:00 - 14:00 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
On October 10th, make the quick hop over the Santa Cruz Mountains to Half Moon Bay (HAF) for lunch. The flight is quick from points around the Bay Area but is much faster and less stressful than navigating the traffic on Highway 92. This is a perfect flight to take friends and family on, as it affords stunning views of the local coastline, beaches, and mountains in such a short flight.
After landing, taxi to the small ramp on the southeast side of the airport (located south of the taxiway that takes you to Runway 30, see picture to the left). Secure your aircraft and we’ll walk through the gate to meet at Mezza Luna at 12 PM, one of the best restaurants in the town. Enjoy an Italian lunch, and afterward, feel free to walk around the area. Pillar Point towards the west offers short hiking trails to secluded beaches, or venture to the marina, where you can buy fresh seafood right off the back of the boats that caught them.
While October is often a good time to visit Half Moon Bay, low fog and clouds may prevent VFR traffic from participating. If this is the case, we will alter our destination to Stockton (SCK). The FOG coordinator will advise those who registered if a change is needed.
Please RSVP below so we can inform the restaurant of our headcount. We hope to see you in Half Moon Bay on October 10!

Weather Factors for a Go/No Go Decision
2021-10-09 12:00 - 13:30 | 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

Knowledge of the weather is an important part of staying safe while flying, and is a critical part of preparing for each flight. Pilots evaluate the data available for the mission and make an educated “go” or “no go” decision. On long cross-country flights, the decision is made anew, every few minutes of the flight as conditions change and weather reports and forecasts are updated.
San Carlos Flight Center invites commercial pilot Dave Kramer to investigate the different weather factors that can contribute to a pilot’s decision making process. In this seminar, Dave will share scenarios from his own flying in which he has been able to safely mitigate potential risks to allow a flight. Audience members can expect a realistic, scenario based presentation investigating the effects of certain weather patterns on someone’s route of flight.
Join us for this seminar as we take a look at those borderline “no go” decisions and offer additional safe options available to turn a “no go” into a “go”.

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. 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.
