San Carlos Flight Center

Blades of Glory: What Every Pilot Should Know About Propellers
2022-02-19 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

Is this tiny nick on the propeller an airworthiness item? How perfect does the paint need to be to keep the propeller balanced? If my propeller isn’t completely broken, do I still need to send it to the shop? San Carlos Flight Center has invited Samantha Bloodhart of Sullivan Propellers for an enlightening and educational presentation to promote awareness of safety related propeller and propeller governor issues.
Sam will review basic propeller knowledge for pilots, including design differences between the major manufacturers, fixed pitch vs. constant speed operation, realistic evaluation of propeller condition before flight, and the inherent dangers of deferring propeller (or any other aircraft) maintenance. She will discuss some of the common propeller Airworthiness Directives that are owner-operator responsibility (not just mechanics). Finally, she will explain the differences between overhaul, dynamic balancing, and other major types of propeller/governor service. This is all supported with numerous photos and years of anecdotes (some amusing and some amazing).
Propellers are an essential part of flight, and pilots should gain a better understanding about them. If you want to gain more knowledge about what keeps you flying, we encourage all pilots to attend.

Samantha Bloodhart moved to the Bay Area in 1994 from Ohio to open Sullivan Propeller Specialists with her partner Brian Sullivan. Sullivan Propeller has been in business in Hayward since we opened, now 23 years. She is a licensed FAA Repairman. Currently she is the voice of Sullivan Propeller – handling most of the administrative tasks as well as front-line on customer service. Samantha is also the primary administrator for our Repair Station and handles all the FAA requirements/compliance issues as such. Bloodhart founded Sullivan Propeller in 1994, along with Brian Sullivan.

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 Palm Springs
2022-02-16 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Palm Springs, known for its days of sunshine, has been a unique Californian getaway for years. As a city nestled within the famous Coachella Valley and on the outskirts of the Mojave Desert there is something for everyone. From national parks to hiking and golf, your visit will be worthwhile.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Private Pilot Brandan Dadoun to discuss what pilots flying to Palm Springs need to know. New destinations, especially long cross-country flights, challenge pilots to expand their skills and adapt to different scenarios. In this seminar, Brandan will summarize flight planning into the Palm Springs Area at both PSP and UDD airports. Whether it is landing at airfields below sea level, navigating around towering peaks, flying over vast deserts, or flying in unique airspace (TRSA anyone?) There are unique flight planning considerations to consider. Brandan will also place an emphasis on certain weather patterns prevalent within this region, and how they affected his planned route of flight. He will conclude by highlighting the different amenities within the area and things to do.
If you ever considered venturing to Southern California, the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs await you for a challenging but yet rewarding long cross-country from the Bay Area.

Brandan Dadoun is an instrument-rated private pilot and SCFC’s Seminar Coordinator. He has completed the majority of his flight training at SCFC and has extensive flying experience throughout California in both piston and turbine-powered aircraft. Currently, he is working on pursuing his commercial and multi-engine ratings and enjoys being a regular speaker in the seminar program. In 2021, Brandan was recognized by the FAA for his achievements in promoting aviation safety. Outside of 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.

IFR Low Enroute Charts
2022-02-12 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

The charts used by VFR and IFR pilots are as different as the flights themselves. VFR charts are filled with ground-recognizable objects to aid a pilot in navigation. IFR charts have almost none of that, as IFR pilots need to be able to complete the entire flight without visual reference to the ground. As a VFR pilot, you probably have a general understanding of some of the basics of IFR charts including Victor airways and MEAs, but there is a lot more information there. Do you know how to decipher MRAs? How about the different types of fixes found along an airway? We will take a close look at some hidden gems of details on the IFR enroute charts.
SCFC Chief Pilot Herb Patten will present a safety seminar that will help demystify the numbers and markings on the FAA’s IFR Low Enroute Charts and allow pilots to develop a better understanding of the details on these charts. He will explain waypoint and navigational aid symbology, and describe the various altitudes shown on the charts. This is a valuable safety seminar for new IFR students and a great refresher for pilots that are already instrument rated.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity for an in depth review of the common and not so common content on IFR charts.

Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 3.00 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 2021, Herb was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA.

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

Flying the Bay Tour
2022-02-09 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

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

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.

FOG Lunch: Stockton
2022-02-06 12:00 - 14:00
For February, join FOG on a fly-out lunch to Stockton! Top Flight Grill is located in the airport terminal building and a quick walk from Transient Parking or the Atlantic Aviation FBO. The restaurant has typical American fare, as well as Mexican-inspired cuisine.
Stockton Airport is a great cross-country destination for students, with ATC services and a long runway. Grab your CFI and gain experience flying into new airports and utilizing FBO services. Pilots can also test their instrument skills with a variety of instrument approaches into the airport, including an ILS and RNAV approach to Runway 29R.
Interested in going? Sign up below so we can get a headcount for food, and we’ll see you in Stockton at 12:00 PM on February 6!

Pre-Flight Inspection Tips From A Mechanic
2022-02-05 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

The pre-flight inspection is a critical prerequisite for every flight. Pilots are taught how to perform one early on in training, but have you ever stopped to think about what is critical to check? What should you be looking for to identify potential issues? Wouldn’t you like to see through the eyes of a mechanic what they pay attention to?
San Carlos Flight Center invites A&P Mechanic Tim Davis to provide tips on how to properly conduct a pre-flight inspection. In this seminar, Tim will highlight what to look for and a mechanics perspective on how to look at a Cessna 172 when conducting a pre-flight inspection. Tim will describe common aircraft structure and systems as they relate to pre-flight inspections.
Through the eyes of an experienced mechanic, join us to get a different perspective on your pre-flight routine.

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.

Transferring an International Certificate to US
2022-02-02 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Every country regulates aviation in its own way. Different values, different priorities, and different regulatory philosophies make the experience of becoming a pilot very different in Europe than in the United States. So when life forces a pilot to change countries, what happens to their pilot’s licenses?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Private Pilot Sebastian Schweers to discuss his experience transferring his international pilot certificate to an FAA certificate. During this seminar, Sebastian will break down the steps one must follow to transfer a foreign certificate to one recognized in the United States. What new training was required? What testing? How was the checkride different for a foreign pilot than for a student pilot starting fresh in the US. He will conclude by highlighting the differences during his flying experience both in Europe, and now in the United States.
If you are curious about this process, or are interested in learning more about how to adapt to a new flying environment, join us for this seminar.

Sebastian Schweers is a Private Pilot both in the US and in Switzerland. Recently he transitioned his foreign certificate to be used for flying in the United States. With a wealth of flying experience both internationally, and now in America, he is excited to share his journey of transferring his 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.

Webinar
2022-02-02 08:00 - 17:00, 2022-01-02 08:00 - 17:00

Airport of the Month: Truckee
2022-02-01 - 2022-02-28
Ski season is in full swing, and what better way to get to the snow than by air? The Truckee Airport is a 90-minute flight from the Bay Area and offers numerous connections to the surrounding Tahoe attractions.
Truckee is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains and is known for its scenic approaches over Donner Pass and Lake Tahoe. The airport has ATC services, and also has fuel and a large passenger waiting area. It gets busy, especially on weekends, so pay attention to Ground Control and the aircraft marshallers, who may direct you to a specific parking area. (The UNICOM frequency may help with this). The airport also has a variety of noise abatement procedures and VFR arrival/departure routes, so please read up on these on their website before flying.
After landing, you can rent a car, or utilize public transportation to get around. The Truckee Area Regional Transit bus system offers a one-bus ride from the airport to Northstar Ski Resort, which has lodging, ski slopes, hiking, and many more winter activities. The bus also goes to North Shore and downtown Truckee, as well.
Truckee is a mountain airport, so please ensure that you have a mountain checkout before planning a trip. Don’t have one, or want a refresher? The Flight Center offers mountain flying training for pilots and is a great way to build your pilot skill set, no matter if you’re a student or airline pilot. Visit this page to learn more.

Ground School Refresher: Aeromedical Factors
2022-01-29 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Human body dynamics are complicated on the ground, and really interesting when you take them up thousands of feet in elevation. The reduction in ambient air pressure can cause various impairments that directly affect safety of flight.
Join CFI Terry Kelly as he reviews important Aeromedical Factors such as the four types of hypoxia, the impact of medicines and alcohol on the human body, and how the human eye and mind can be fooled by various spatial and visual illusions. He will also go over some common over-the-counter medications that pilots might not consider to impair their ability to fly, but may actually be dangerous.
Come and join this online seminar in the ground school refresher series to review the impact of flight on the human body and become a safer pilot.

Terry Kelly is a CFI at San Carlos Flight Center, who has a background as a first responder working as a wildland firefighter. He has first-hand experience dealing with many of the aeromedical factors that pilots need to be aware of. Aeromedical factors are a very important subject for him, as we spend so much time making sure the plane is safe to fly and the weather is safe to operate, but so little time on the most important part of flight… the pilot.

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.

Transition to Multi-Engine
2022-01-26 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

One engine is good. Two are better. A multi-engine rating opens up a whole new set of aviation opportunities. Have you ever wondered what it takes to upgrade your ASEL to an AMEL? Or maybe you’ve wondered how much additional knowledge and training it could possibly take to operate a twin-engine aircraft safely? Bring your curiosity and join us to find out.
San Carlos Flight Center CFII Brian Eliot will present a seminar designed to introduce ASEL pilots to the world of AMEL. He will walk the audience through the basic requirements found in FAR Part 61, including both knowledge items and flight skills, and then dive more deeply into the required flight proficiency items in terms of preflight inspections, ground operations, maneuvers, and emergency procedures.
Whether it’s in your near future or still in the dream phase, plan to join us for this informative safety seminar all about transitioning to Multi-Engine Aircraft.

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

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

Radio Communication Basics
2022-01-22 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Flying through SF Bay Area airspace requires a high degree of situational awareness and sophisticated radio skills. And yet, radio communication is rarely taught as a specific subject during private pilot training. Usually, new pilots just absorb what they hear on the frequency around them, both good and bad. Although some radio techniques are covered in ground school, rarely do student pilots get the time devoted to demystifying this often-confusing subject.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Chief Pilot Herb Patten and CFI Sid Basu to bridge the communication gap, help newer pilots understand the structure of radio and how to improve their own. The presentation will begin with a review of radio communication phraseology and use. What part is structured? What part is unstructured? What words are good official phraseology, and what words are considered jargon, slang, or poor grammar?
If you are new to radio communication, or just want a great review to fill gaps in your pilot education, please join us for this unique opportunity.

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

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

tes
2022-01-20 08:00 - 17:00

Flying in the Flight Levels – it’s Different Up Here
2022-01-19 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Most general aviation pilots rarely go above 18,000 feet MSL because of limitations in aircraft performance. But as pilots gain hours and move up to faster and higher-performing aircraft, the flight levels beckon. What happens up there in that magical Class Alpha world for fast planes and low pressure? Safe pilots must learn new rules to operate there, and must understand the challenging operational and health risks associated with high-altitude, unpressurized travel. To start, let’s get one pilot’s perspective of what’s different up there.
San Carlos Flight Center invites commercial pilot Chris Rimer to share his experience flying a single-engine turbocharged Beech Bonanza in the West. In this seminar, he will highlight high-altitude operations including those in the flight levels. Chris will also provide an overview of oxygen requirements, equipment, and safe practices while flying at altitude. We’ve asked him to use a real world example, so he will review a flight he took to Colorado that took him into the flight levels. He’ll end the presentation relating how these concepts can be applied to flying any type of aircraft, in turn improving your knowledge and knowing your limits.
We invite pilots of all experience levels to join this presentation and share their experiences in similar scenarios. If you have any plans of operating at high altitudes, or want to learn more about the performance envelope of your aircraft, 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 earned both his commercial single- and multi-engine/instrument-land ratings this year, 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 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: Watsonville
2022-01-16 19:00 - 21:00
Come join the FlyOutGroup (FOG) on Sunday, January 16th, with a scenic flight to Watsonville (WVI)! An easy location to get to from the Bay Area, enjoy a scenic hop over the Santa Cruz Mountains, and then descend over Monterey Bay. Park in Transient Parking, and we’ll all meet at the Beer Mule for dinner.
The Beer Mule is located across the street from the aircraft terminal. A new restaurant for FOG, this brewery serves many craft beers for those not acting as PIC, and many food options sourced from the surrounding farms. Bites like Yucatan-style Pulled Pork and Jambalaya are some of their unique offerings.
We’re excited about the event, and look forward to seeing you in Watsonville! Please RSVP below.
Note: The full moon is on Monday, January 17th. As the MLK holiday is on that day, we’re moving the event forward by one day, given that the Beer Mule is closed on Mondays.

IFR and G1000
2022-01-15 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

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

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

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2019 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. 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.

Arcana from the AIM
2022-01-12 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

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

Capt. Bennett Taber is a check airman and training captain with over 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.

FOG Lunch: Lampson
2022-01-09 12:00 - 14:00
Located in the North Bay, Clear Lake is one of the biggest lakes in the area, although it is often hidden by the mountains between Santa Rosa and the Central Valley. The local airport in the area, Lampson Field (1O2), has an airport diner on the field, so what better way to spend a Sunday than by grabbing lunch at a new restaurant?
Enjoy lunch or dinner with fresh, local ingredients from Red’s at the Skyroom. This new restaurant features West Coast-fare with a variety of entrees and drinks for you and your passengers. With patio seating, this is a great place to replenish after a training flight or as a break on a long cross-country trip to the north. After your meal, venture around the ramp area to see a collection of vintage aircraft from a variety of eras.
A few FOG pilots sampled the food earlier this year. Here is what FOG Pilots Heidi and Bob had to say:

“Red’s was fabulous food. They open at 10:00 a.m. and have a few breakfast items even though there are none on the menu. I recommend the crab cake eggs benedict (see picture). There is indoor air-conditioned seating and lots of shaded outdoor seating. I highly recommend it as a great nearby-to-the-Bay-Area destination.”
-Heidi & Bob

The airport also has an RNAV approach if you want to practice your instrument skills, and features 100LL fuel at a self-serve pump. 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!

Are Two Engines Better than One? A Pilot’s First 200 Hours of Multi-Engine Flight
2022-01-08 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

There’s an old adage that says “If one engine is good, two engines are better.” There are many benefits to multi-engines including faster speed, safety through redundancy, and suitability for cross-country travel. This is a story of one pilot’s journey obtaining the airplane multi-engine rating and his goal of flying the Baron Twin as much as possible over a 2 year period while logging over 200 hours. This ambitious goal brought many memorable trips and learning experiences worthy of sharing.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Commercial Pilot Dave Kramer to share these lessons learned after gaining a wealth of experience flying across the country. In this seminar, Dave will reflect on his experience flying the Baron in various conditions, highlight challenging scenarios, and describe the mission profile for flying the multi-engine aircraft. Additionally, Dave will share what motivated him to obtain his multi-engine rating and why he has chosen to fly multi-engine aircraft as his primary aircraft of choice.
If you are interested in a multi-engine rating or want to hear first hand about the experience in one, you will find this seminar insightful. For more on this topic, tune in for a follow-up seminar on Baron Systems on January 26 to learn more about multi-engines and the Baron available for rental at SCFC.

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.

Helicopters - What Are They and How Do They Work?
2022-01-05 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Most of us have seen helicopters flying in the sky, but how many of us know how they work? While airplanes and helicopters share the skies, rotary aircraft still remain something of a mystery to fixed-wing pilots. Without a deeper understanding, helicopters seem to defy many common characteristics known to fixed-wing pilots.
San Carlos Flight Center invites commercial and rotorcraft pilot Michael Dutton to share more about helicopters. In this seminar we’ll take a high-level look into how a helicopter flies and the controls involved with their flight. Additionally, he will provide an overview of the rotorcraft certificate, motivation for pursuing the certificate, summary of the requirements, and expected timeline. Lastly, Michael will answer common questions such as, what is autorotation? And how do helicopters handle differently than aircraft? There are many differences between helicopters and airplanes that fixed-wing pilots likely do not understand. These questions and many more will be answered during this seminar.
If you were ever curious in learning more about these unique machines, join us for this seminar.

Michael Dutton is a private pilot in helicopters, and is a commercial pilot with instrument rating in fixed wing. 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 his CFI training.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2019 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. 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: Mariposa
2022-01-01 - 2022-01-31
One of Yosemite’s gateways, Mariposa (MPI) is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Did you know that Mariposa offers a handful of amenities in addition to being a fun cross-country destination?
AirBornn Aviation is the local FBO, and provides rental cars to pilots with advance notice. You can use the rental cars to drive to Yosemite National Park, making the trip to this famous national park much shorter, given that you are already in the mountains. Jump onto Highway 140 for the drive, which takes just over an hour, and follows the Merced River to the park. Other options include going to Badger Pass, where you can ski, or rent snowshoes and cross-country ski gear for a hike to Glacier Point.
Don’t want to head to Yosemite? Walk 15 minutes along the road (or use the courtesy car) to the small village just south of the airport, where a small diner awaits. The Airport Bar and Grill serves American-fare for lunch and is a quiet local favorite.
Have you been to Mariposa, or going there this month? Let us know at flyoutgroup@sancarlosflight.com how it is.

NO SAFETY SEMINARS – December 25, 29 & January 1
2021-12-25 12:00 - 2022-01-01 13:30
In observance of the holiday season, San Carlos Flight Center is not holding safety seminars on Saturday, December 25th, Wednesday, December 29th, or Saturday, January 1st, 2022.
Please stay tuned for an exciting list of future seminars coming in the new year. In the meantime, feel free to browse our online web archive available to web members with a growing library of over 400 safety seminars.
We wish you a joyous holiday season and a happy new year!
-SCFC Seminar Team

Advanced Private Pilot Jeopardy
2021-12-22 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Missed out on the last private pilot jeopardy challenge? Or are you looking to test the depth of your aeronautical knowledge? The San Carlos Flight Center has just the answer for you!
Calling all pilots to participate in an Advanced Private Pilot Jeopardy! Put yourself to the test against other pilots to win the title of Private Pilot Jeopardy Champion.
In this game show styled safety seminar, you will be quizzed on advanced topics from subjects as wide ranging from Federal Aviation Regulations, airspace, aeronautical charts, weather, radio procedures, airport operations, and much more. Come to this seminar prepared with all the knowledge you brought to your private pilot checkride. All information that a VFR private pilot should know is fair game. May the best pilot win!

Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 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.

Prepping ForeFlight for a Long-XC Trip
2021-12-18 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Long-cross country flights require a significant amount of planning prior to departure. In a digital age, pilots should learn to use tools like ForeFlight to enhance their overall flight planning process. Foreflight is a useful tool for many pilots as it provides a number of tools a pilot might need to plan a flight, obtain a weather briefing, and track their flight in real time.
San Carlos Flight Center invites private pilot Brandan Dadoun to provide a walk-through of how he uses ForeFlight to plan a long cross-country flight. In this seminar, he will investigate what it takes to accurately plot checkpoints, create a “flight” in ForeFlight, file flight plans, calculate performance values, and ensure that you as the pilot are familiar with “all available information concerning a flight.” Brandan will go through a sample flight mission so that viewers/attendees can follow along in real-time using ForeFlight on their own device.
ForeFlight offers a wealth of features that can sometimes be overwhelming. We hope you will join us for this seminar to see a practical aspect of this app towards real-world flight planning.

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.

Investigating Aircraft Ownership
2021-12-15 19:00 - 20:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

At some time, most pilots consider owning their own plane. Have you? The purchase of an airplane can be a daunting task, not only because of the significant cost, but also because of the complexity of the purchasing process. It’s somewhere between purchasing a small home and an expensive automobile.
In this seminar, Nico Ghilardi, a new aircraft owner, will share the journey he went on during his recent aircraft purchasing experience. He will discuss his own unique experience, starting from the motivation itself, selection of the desired aircraft, identification of a suitable plane on the market, pre-buy inspection, flight training in type, insurance, escrow, ferry flight to KSQL, and post-acquisition issues such as parking/hangaring, identification of mechanics, and ELT registration. In addition, Nico will cover some of the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing an experimental category airplane.
If you ever considered purchasing your own airplane and want to hear firsthand about airplane ownership and learn from the experiences of others, join us for this unique opportunity to become enlightened about the purchasing process.

Nico Ghilardi is a private pilot with an instrument rating, high power and complex endorsements. He has 360 hours of flying experience in more than 7 different aircraft types. He has done two multi-day trips, one in a C182T and the other one in a Turbo Centurion. Recently he purchased his own RV-14A and brought it to KSQL from KWEA, a small airport near Dallas, TX. When he is not flying, he works as a research scientist in a biotech company and enjoys swimming competitively.

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.

A Deeper Understanding of Weather Theory
2021-12-11 12:00 - 13:30
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

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
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
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
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.
