San Carlos Flight Center

Upwind Wine and Cheese Party and Silent Auction
2023-03-17 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
It’s that time of year again!
The Upwind Foundation and SCFC invite you to a fundraising Wine and Cheese Soiree on Friday, March 17th at 6:30 pm. All are welcome!
We will celebrate the summer of fundraising, complete our silent auction, and as a special treat, we will meet the winners of the 2023 Upwind Scholarship. Join us to celebrate with the winners and their families.
Please RSVP below so we can get a headcount for food and drinks.
Online bidding for items in the silent auction is open now!

Transitioning to a Jet
2023-03-15 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Interested in learning more about becoming a professional pilot? View more seminars like this available on our Members Only Seminar Library by clicking here.

The jump from 120 to 500 knots is not a simple transition. With this speed comes the need for heightened situational awareness and aeronautical decision-making. Adapting to this new fast-paced environment is difficult, yet reveals practices that all pilots should incorporate.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Charter Pilot Bennett Ashley to talk about his experience transitioning to the Learjet 60. In this seminar, Bennett will share lessons learned from his past year flying the Learjet and how he has incorporated these practices into his daily flying. During his formalized training, he was held accountable for proper aircraft management at higher speeds and altitudes. After receiving his type rating, he realized the importance of knowing your aircraft systems, emergency procedures, and performance to better understand and handle any aircraft.
We encourage any pilot who wants to better understand their aircraft and incorporate professional pilot practices into their flying to attend this seminar.

Bennett Ashley is a Commercial Multi-Engine Pilot and a Learjet 60 SIC. He has had the privilege of completing his flight training in the San Francisco Bay Area and now flies for a large charter company based in Van Nuys, California.

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

Ground School Refresher: Aircraft Engines and Systems
2023-03-11 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in our wealth of Ground School Refreshers that are available to members in our Members Only Seminar Library. For an example, click the link here.

Are you a master of the systems in your aircraft? Do you understand the fine differences between the ignition system vs. the electrical system? When was the last time you refreshed your knowledge of engine principles or the induction system? If it has been a while or you just need a refresher, this is the place to be.
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Jack O’Leary to talk about aircraft engines and the other systems used on most small general aviation aircraft. In this seminar, learn the science behind combustion and understand the ignition systems, magnetos, carburetors, constant speed propellers, and associated common failures that all pilots need to know. A competent pilot starts with a full understanding of their aircraft. In this seminar, Jack will give you the foundation you need.
Join us for this seminar to further your understanding of piston engines and common systems onboard single-engine piston aircraft.

Jack O’Leary is a CFI at San Carlos Flight Center. Born and raised in Minnesota, he moved to California to follow his dreams of becoming a pilot. Jack’s interest in flying came from hearing his grandfather’s aviation stories and flying in a seaplane around Minnesota. He progressed through his ratings to eventually become a full-time flight instructor, and he couldn’t be happier. Outside of flying, Jack graduated into the world of tech, and enjoys the outdoors, whether that being out on the water or hiking with his wife and dog.

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

Understanding BasicMed
2023-03-08 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Like our content? You may also be interested in watching one of over 500 Safety Seminars available to watch in our Members Only Seminar Library. Click here to view.

BasicMed is an alternate way for pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements. Just take the right FAA Form 8700-2 and the BasicMed Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC) to your state-licensed physician for the exam. This can take the place of the Class 3 medical exam that was required to be done by an Aviation Medical Examiner.
San Carlos Flight Center invites FAA Basic Med Program Manager, Bradley Zeigler to dive into the details of the BasicMed program. BasicMed is an intuitive and great alternative to the traditional medical certification program and in this seminar learn about the regulations, limitations, and scenarios in which BasicMed can serve as a great resource for pilots.
If you use the regular Aviation Medical Exam process, you still may want to view this seminar to see what your alternatives are in the future. If you are planning on using the new BasicMed process, tune in to find out how to get started.

Brad Zeigler has logged more than 20 years in the aviation safety industry and 30 years as a pilot. Celebrating his 15th year at the FAA, he is currently with the Flight Standards General Aviation and Commercial Division, focusing on issues related to airmen certification policy and regulations. In addition to serving as the program manager for BasicMed, he is crafting the next generation of rules pertaining to new aircraft entrants such as powered-lift and drones. Brad holds Airline Transport Pilot, Remote Pilot and Flight Instructor Certificates. He is an active general aviation pilot and bases his Cessna 182 in the Washington DC 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 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars.

Full Moon Flyers: Hollister
2023-03-07 19:00 - 21:00
Need to practice night flying, or just want to gain more experience at night? Come join us for dinner at Seabrisa’s Eatery in Hollister (CVH) on March 7th 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 – Seabrisa’s Eatery! A local favorite for many pilots in the area, they’re known for their unique flavors and vegetables grown from many of the local farms.
After dinner, Hollister is a great place to work on night landings or fly to San Jose (SJC) to complete your night requirements there. With big runways, it’s easy to make the landings to a stop-and-go, and you’ll enjoy the challenge of flying alongside jet traffic.
Everyone is welcome to join us, so please RSVP below and we’ll see you at the event.

Beyond Simple Airspace
2023-03-04 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in watching similar seminars in our Ground School Refresher series, available to view in our Recorded Seminar Library located in the Members Only section. Click here to watch an example.

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

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

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

A Day In the Life of a Charter Pilot
2023-03-01 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in similar presentations by Captain Ben Taber such as his in-depth Radio Communications seminar “You’re Not the Only Pilot in the Sky” available in the Members Only Seminar Archive or by clicking here.

It is impossible to learn the answer to every situation while you are a student pilot. Most of a pilot’s learning happens after becoming a private pilot, and continues with every flight. Even after flying for so many years, pilot’s will encounter some interesting and unexpected situations that they never experienced before.
With over 20 years of flying as a charter pilot, Capt. Ben Taber has had numerous unforgettable moments in the cockpit. In this seminar, he will discuss his memorable times as a charter pilot, often when something did not go as planned and he was forced to adapt to a situation.
If you have ever wondered about the daily experiences professional pilots face, this is ought to seek your interest.

Capt. Bennett Taber is a check airman and training captain with over 20 years and 18,000 hours of air charter experience throughout the western United States. His first 500 hours of flying were conducted in Alaska. Captain Taber manages flight operations and charter sales for Dreamline Aviation in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a Dreamline Training Captain in Beech King Air aircraft.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

Transition to the Cessna 206
2023-03-01 08:00 - 17:00
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

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

The Cessna 206 is a six seat, high-performance airplane. It is known as the Stationair and has a variety of mission profiles. With more payload, seating capacity and speed than a Cessna 182, the Stationair provides the capabilities for pilots that have outgrown the 182. In addition to the constant speed propeller the 206 also comes equipped with a turbocharged engine which is an additional complexity for the pilot stepping up from a Cessna 182.
All these features make it a good airplane for carrying six adults over a medium distance or for flying at higher altitudes without suffering the engine degradation found in normally aspirated engines. It is a great airplane for a trip to Las Vegas, Boise, or Seattle. The higher payload provides flexibility but must be managed to conform to aircraft weight & balance limitations.
San Carlos Flight Center is pleased to introduce a Cessna 206 to the fleet. This seminar provides the foundational knowledge necessary to understand the engine components, oxygen system, instrumentation, and operating procedures.
Join CFI Herb Patten as he reviews the systems of this aircraft and why it has earned its reputation as the airborne family hauler. This seminar is a fundamental part of the ground training required of pilots planning to get checked out and fly this aircraft at San Carlos Flight Center.

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

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

Destination New Cuyama (L88)
2023-02-25 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in learning more about other unique destinations. Visit our Members Only Seminar Archive and search “Destination” to view our Destination Series. For an example, click the link here.

New Cuyama, a Southern California airport closed for years, has now reopened and is more ready than ever for your arrival. Nestled between the Central Valley and coastal mountain ranges, New Cuyama Airport is surrounded by national forests, wildlife refuges, and national monuments, which makes safely accessing the airport a task involving regulatory awareness and compliance. The Bay Area FlyOutGroup (FOG) plans to make the trip in Spring to see the extensive airport renovations, and is encouraging all FOG pilots to attend this pre-event briefing.
San Carlos Flight Center and FOG invite pilot and New Cuyama Airport Ambassador, Steve Sappington to discuss New Cuyama (L88) airport operations and flight planning considerations. We have asked him to share with us what pilots flying into L88 need to know, including special considerations such as noise abatement procedures, surrounding wildlife, terrain, and weather patterns. He will utilize visual imagery and other flight planning software to help emphasize his points, and conclude his presentation with an overview of things to do in the area.
If you ever considered venturing to New Cuyama, this will be an informative head start to your flight planning. We hope you can join us for this presentation, and for our subsequent FlyOutGroup (FOG) fly-in event, more details TBA at the end of the seminar.

Steve Sappington is a 1600-hour private pilot who enjoys exploring the West with his wife Nance in their vintage Cessna 182. As a volunteer, he helped Blue Sky Center orchestrate the rebuilding and reopening of New Cuyama Airport (L88) in October 2022.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

VFR into IMC: Trapped by the Weather or Trapped by Ourselves?
2023-02-22 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in learning more from Professor Emeritus Dale Wilson; to view his “A Perspective on Night Flying from a Human Factors Specialist” available in our Members Only Seminar Archive click here.

To non-pilots, it may seem like a simple, binary decision – is the weather okay to fly today? Pilots know that “weather” is really a combination of many issues, winds, moisture, stability, visibility, cloud cover, temperature, etc. Many of these factors are complex and can change rapidly throughout the day. For pilots on a defined mission, facing a complex, marginal weather situation, there may be a temptation to “squeeze the gap” between closing ceilings and visibility ahead. As with most decisions a pilot must make, this decision has real life and death consequences.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Professor Emeritus, ASA Author, and CFI Dale Wilson to discuss the human-factor elements responsible for VFR flight into IMC. VFR into IMC is still the number one cause of fatal general aviation weather-related accidents. Why is this? In this seminar, join Dale to find out. He will also explain mitigation strategies to help you avoid getting trapped by this deadly threat.
We invite all pilots to tune in for this presentation to increase awareness of the decision-making process and overall flight safety.

Dale Wilson, M.S. ATP, CFI, MCFI/MGI, is Professor Emeritus at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA, and is the author of popular ASA books, Managing Risk: Best Practices for Pilots, and more recently, Human Factors: Enhancing Pilot Performance. Since 1996, he has taught courses dealing with the physiological and psychological aspects of pilot performance, safety management, threat and error management, and aviation weather. He continues his passion by writing numerous articles in aviation journals and magazines. To find out more about our speaker and his work visit his web page at the Aviation Department’s website click here.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

Radio Communications 1: Radio Basics
2023-02-18 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in the continued next seminar of our Radio Communications series, accessible by clicking the link here.

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

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

Ground School Refresher: Beyond Simple Airspace
2023-02-18 08:00 - 17:00
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in watching the rest of our Ground School Refresher Series, available to view in our Members Only Seminar Library. For an example of relevant seminars, search “Ground School Refresher” in our Library, or click here for an example.

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

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

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

From Pilot to Instructor
2023-02-15 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in our “Obtaining a New Rating” series which is available for our Members in our Seminar Library. For an example click here.

The Flight Instructor Initial practical test is arguably the most comprehensive checkride an applicant has to prepare for. Not only must the applicant retain a high level of knowledge, but they must be able to teach it. SCFC invites newly-certificated Flight Instructor Travis Bender to explain how becoming a Flight Instructor made him a safer pilot by developing a thorough understanding of complex ground topics, decision-making awareness, and by teaching the material.
In this seminar, Travis will review the requirements to be a CFI, the test elements outlined in the Practical Test Standards and highlight the important safety considerations that CFIs bear the responsibility of. He will share how he studied for each knowledge and flight area along with the methods he used to be ready to take the practical test. Many CFIs tend to rush the training process only to leave their students behind struggling to understand the material. It is the CFIs responsibility to ensure they are ready to teach their students, and that starts with a competent instructor.
If you are working on becoming a CFI, join us for this presentation to understand the process along with gaining an understanding on certain ground and flight emphasis topics.

Travis Bender is a Flight Instructor who learned to fly at San Carlos Flight Center and leads the Marketing team. When he’s not at the airport or in a plane, 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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

FOG Lunch: Stockton
2023-02-12 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 12th!

Blades of Glory: What Every Pilot Should Know About Propellers
2023-02-11 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in our Maintenance Seminar Series available in the Members Only Seminar Archive, click here.

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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

Left Turning Tendencies
2023-02-08 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in our “Ground School Refresher: Aerodynamics” to further your understanding of complex aerodynamic concepts. This seminar is viewable in our Members Only Seminar Archive by clicking the link here.

This phrase left turning tendencies means nothing to most people, but it soon means a lot to new student pilots who find that the plane tries to nudge itself off the left side of the runway on a high-power takeoff roll. Private pilots must know at least four left turning tendencies and be able to talk about them during their checkride. However, few pilots actually know what is happening behind the few memorized rote phrases. Interestingly, most newly certificated flight instructors get at least two of these wrong – the result of pilot urban legend coming down from generations of flight instructors passed.
To clear this up, San Carlos Flight Center welcomes back former Chief Pilot Dan Dyer, who covers this topic in CFI new hire training and as part of SCFC’s CFI Finishing School. Dan will cover all FIVE times the nose of the aircraft may yaw suddenly, requiring pilot action to stabilize. He will also show that most of these aerodynamic forces work IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, and explain their origins and in which flight conditions each is strongest. Finally, he’ll explain the two most commonly missed left-turning tendency questions from CFI hiring interviews.
Every single engine, propeller driven pilot will need to account for these tendencies with rudder control, regardless of how deep their understanding of the aerodynamic principles involved are. If you would like to push your knowledge of the FIVE left turning tendancies, tune in to this presentation.

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

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

Full Moon Flyers: Monterey
2023-02-05 19:00 - 21:00
With the full-moon happening on Sunday, February 5th, come with FOG to Monterey (MRY) for a dinner at Woody’s at the Airport! Enjoy dinner in the venue that overlooks the airline ramp, allowing you to view take-offs and landings with your meal.
The flight down is an easy one from the Bay Area, and an excellent choice to take passengers on a short flight if they have never been on a general aviation plane before. With views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Silicon Valley, and Monterey Bay, the flight down is one they won’t forget. Instrument pilots or students can practice their skills with a variety of approaches into the airport, as well. Afterwards, you can refresh your night currency at Monterey or any of the other local airports on the way back to the Bay Area.
After landing, park at Del Monte Aviation, as Monterey does not have any transient parking near the terminal. From there, it’s a short walk to the terminal. Woody’s is located upstairs from the entrance, before the TSA checkpoints. Please plan to be at the restaurant around 7 PM.
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!

Hired By The Airlines, Lessons All Pilots Should Know
2023-02-04 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in a similar seminar “Reaching For The Sky, How I Became an Airline Pilot”, available in our Members Only Seminar Archive which is accessible by clicking the link here.

The first step for a career in the airlines is often obtaining a private pilot certificate, followed by years of additional certificates and ratings. At every step, a pilot’s aviation knowledge, flight skills, and risk management abilities are deepened and strengthened. Pilots who someday want to fly with the airlines would benefit from an awareness of how each safety procedure, each checklist, each emergency maneuver, and every flight gives them the chance to build the foundation for a safe career as an Air Transport Pilot.
Toward that goal, San Carlos Flight Center has invited back Josephine Pham Gia, a former SCFC pilot who now flies as an airline pilot, to share her story and to highlight the key takeaways from her Private Pilot Training that still influence her today. From topics such as skillful airplane handling and systems knowledge, but also an understanding of how single-pilot resource management sets the foundation for commercial crew resource management. There is something here every pilot can relate to.
It’s always information to hear from another pilot – to share in their decision-making and learn from their missteps. Josephine will share how she learned from mistakes in her Private training to position herself as a safer, more competent pilot ultimately landing a job with an airline. For those who want to build good habits either for your day-to-day flying or for a career as an airline pilot, we hope her path can inspire you.

Josephine Pham Gia is a CFI, CFII, and MEI and soon to be Airline Pilot for Mesa Airlines. Josephine has worked in the aviation industry since 2013 first starting as a flight attendant, soon to take her first discovery flight in 2017, and receive her Private Pilot Certificate in 2019. As an active student in the United Aviate Program she quickly progressed to obtain her ratings, build time, and land a job with one of the nations largest regional airline carriers.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive.

Electronic Logbooks
2023-02-01 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

You may also be interested in a few seminars that are related to this topic such as our wide array of ForeFlight tutorials. These can be accessed by going to the Members Only Seminar Archive and searching “ForeFlight” or by clicking here for an example.

Logging flights can be a burden, even more so when calculating totals while preparing for a checkride, renewing your insurance, or applying for a new job. As technology evolves, so do our logbooks. Pilot logbooks in electronic format are easy to use, have every applicable field, and ensure the highest level of neatness and accuracy all with no page limits.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Private Pilot Ritwik Ummalaneni and Airline Pilot and CFI, Daniel Stellini as they give us a rundown of properly logging pilot time and experience, as well as how to use two of the most popular electronic logbook applications, LogTen and ForeFlight. As ForeFlight is becoming the preferred electronic flight bag (EFB) application for General Aviation pilots, many are tapping into its robust pilot logbook capability to supplement (or altogether replace) their paper logbook. In this seminar, get an overview of logging requirements such as required entires, along with comparing the differences between the paper and electronic logbooks.
If you have ever considered logging your flights electronically, this is the seminar for you.

Daniel Stellini is a CFII and a United Airlines pilot with extensive experience from Cessnas to Boeing 777’s. He is committed to developing safe and competent pilots, and is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor. In his freetime, he likes playing music, and teaching others how to become better pilots.
Ritwik Ummaleaneni is a Private Pilot working on his instrument rating. He completed all of his training at SCFC with Daniel, and is looking forward to presenting with him.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

Upwind Scholarship 2023 Informational Meeting
2023-01-28 15:00
San Carlos Flight Center is proud to partner with the Upwind Foundation to deliver flight training to the recipients of the Upwind Summer Scholarship. The Upwind Summer Scholarship Program provides a unique opportunity for high school students to become FAA-certificated pilots over the summer between their junior and senior years. The program is made possible by the generosity of local pilots and aviation stakeholders. Learn more about the Upwind Foundation and Summer Scholarship Program here.
The Upwind Foundation is holding an informational meeting for prospective applicants to meet previous scholarship recipients and their parents, flight instructors, and other Upwind staff. This is a great opportunity to find out more information about the program, get answers to any questions as well as assistance with the application process. We look forward to seeing you there! The open house is on Saturday, January 28th at 3 PM. Click here to RSVP on the Upwind website.
The details of the informational meeting will be sent to all those that are registered.

Destination Las Vegas
2023-01-28 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Las Vegas is a popular destination among many travelers, so maybe it’s time you considered flying there yourself. Vegas is a perfect example of cross-country challenge for California pilots. With good flight planning, you and your passengers can make this trip safely despite busy airspace and mountains surrounding the valley airports.
San Carlos Flight Center brings together SCFC Chief Pilot Herb Patten and pilot Alessandro Franco to discuss some of their recent flights into Las Vegas, and to share with us what pilots flying can expect when flying into into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Henderson (HND), and North Las Vegas (VGT). In this seminar, they will summarize the flight planning between the San Francisco Bay Area and Vegas and point out many special considerations along the way. With high elevations, terrain, and extreme temperatures, pilots should operate carefully into this highly dense traffic area. Dozens of helicopters, hundreds of jets, and military traffic dominate the airspace around Las Vegas and as pilots, it’s important to be aware of them. Their presentation will summarize these operations, how to navigate airspace, and tips on what to do after you land.
If you ever considered venturing to Las Vegas, this will be an informative head start to your flight planning. We hope you can join us.

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

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

Helicopters – What Are They and How Do They Work
2023-01-25 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
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 CFI, and CFII in fixed wing with private pilot privileges in helicopters. He’s been flying while working at the San Carlos airport for over seven years, first working for the Flight Center before moving on to Airport Operations. In his off-days, he’s still at the airport as he continues flying and advancing his flying skills.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

What Aircraft Owners Need to Know About Maintenance
2023-01-21 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

The joy of airplane ownership is flying your beloved airplane, however, that airplane needs to be maintained. You probably are an expert pilot but how much do you know about maintaining your aircraft? Maintenance can be confusing, such as how often should you be getting an oil change? What routine maintenance should you have done? What should you be looking for as your engine approaches TBO?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Director of Maintenance Suzie Garcia-Duer to talk about aircraft maintenance for owners. In this seminar, she will highlight how aircraft owners should approach maintenance on their aircraft, and review common maintenance that should be considered. Suzie will share the approach that all aircraft owners should have towards maintenance as having a properly maintained airplane starts with an informed owner.
If you are an aircraft owner or considering ownership, join us to ask questions, and be prepared with the maintenance journey that lays ahead in aircraft ownership.

Suzie Garcia Duer started her aviation career in College of Alameda’s aviation maintenance technology program in 2017. After graduation and going through a battery of tests to get her A&P, she found her first aviation job: repairing and restoring fabric aircraft. From this first experience, Suzie developed a high standard for herself and the work she does. She continued her education by obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance Management from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in 2022. Her strong work ethic, painful attention to detail and obsessive pursuit of knowledge and experience have allowed her to move from A&P to IA and now to the Director of Maintenance at San Carlos Flight Center.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive.

Hazards of Frost and icing
2023-01-18 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Flying along, you might think it’s a beautiful crisp winter day until suddenly you take a peek at the beautiful scenery below and see frost on your wingtip. What are you going to do next? Do you know all the hazards of frost and icing?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Dave Kramer, an experienced instrument rated pilot, and avid weather specialist to talk about how frost and icing can affect an airplane. With atmospheric moisture, comes the hazards of icing. Other than a thunderstorm, nothing else is so detrimental to flight. California, because of it’s warmer winters, is notorious for icing. How can we predict it and where can we find it? In this seminar, anyone will be able to gain a better understanding of how frost and ice forms, how to avoid it, and what to do if you get it.
Join Dave as he discusses these important topics from a pilot’s viewpoint. If you are an aspiring IFR pilot or a seasoned Instrument rated pro, you won’t want to miss this seminar.

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 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

FOG Lunch: Lampson
2023-01-15 12:00 - 13:30
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 the restaurant.
On January 15th at noon, enjoy lunch or dinner with fresh, local ingredients from Red’s at the Skyroom. This 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 before. 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.”
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!

Going Vertical With the G1000
2023-01-14 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

The G1000 was introduced in 2004 and was part of the age of the glass cockpit. It transformed the traditional 6-pack into a multi-screen display that presented a wealth of information to pilots. In addition to the graphical depiction of flight instruments, the G1000 also introduced a set of new functionality.
While the G1000 has been around for nearly two decades, many pilots have only scratched the surface of some of the capabilities that it provides. Do you know how many different ways the G1000 can be used to change altitudes? Are you familiar with how to program the G1000 to not only follow the lateral navigation of a flight plan but also vertical navigation?
In this seminar, CFI Herb Patten, will explore the many capabilities of the G1000 to perform vertical navigation. We will explore all aspects of vertical navigation starting with the basics of the altitude display information and ending with the rich feature set of vertical path tracking. Attend this seminar to take your G1000 IQ to the next level.

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, and has flown over 2,500 hours in more than 130 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2021, Herb was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

Keeping Instrument Proficient
2023-01-11 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

An Instrument Rating opens pilots up to a whole new type of flying, but demands adherence to strict sets of procedures that keep pilots and passengers safe when there’s no view out the window. IFR pilots are responsible for keeping their skills sharp so that accuracy stays high even in high workload situations. Without regular use, instrument flying skills lapse and skills deteriorate. FAA regulations for Instrument pilots are designed for more than just currency; their goal is proficiency and competency.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Commercial Pilot Brandan Dadoun to discuss ways to keep your skills sharp as an instrument pilot. After successfully passing an Instrument Rating checkride, many new IFR pilots may not immediately put their skills to use, leaving many unprepared and unsure of what lay ahead. In this seminar, refresh yourself on what you can and cannot do with an instrument rating, instrument currency, and ways to keep your instrument skills current and proficient. Brandan will emphasize practices that will always keep you ahead of the airplane, develop your confidence, and help prevent the development of unsafe habits.
If you are an instrument-rated pilot, join us to keep your IFR head in the game, and ready for your next flight.

Brandan Dadoun is a commercial, multi-engine pilot and SCFC’s Seminar Coordinator. He has completed the majority of his flight training at SCFC with over 500 flight hours and has extensive flying experience throughout the West Coast in both piston and turbine-powered aircraft. In 2021, Brandan was awarded by the FAA for his achievements in promoting aviation safety. Outside of flying and presenting, he enjoys playing the saxophone and staying active.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.

Ground School Refresher: Aeromedical Factors
2023-01-07 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
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.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Chief Pilot Herb Patten, and CFI Dan Dyer as they review 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. They 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.

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

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive.

Full Moon Flyers: Watsonville
2023-01-06 19:00 - 21:00
Come join the FlyOutGroup (FOG) on Friday, January 6th, with a scenic flight to Watsonville (WVI)! An easy location to get to from the Bay Area, enjoy a quick 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. This brewery serves forty craft beers for those not acting as PIC, and many food options sourced from the surrounding farms. Bites like Buffalo Style Fries and the Hot or Not Chicken Sando are some of their unique offerings.
After dinner, feel free to play a round of cornhole or ping-pong with your fellow pilots, and don’t miss the chance to pick up a few cans of craft beer to take home. Ask the Beer Mule staff which ones they recommend.
We’re excited for the event, and look forward to seeing you in Watsonville! As it’s a Friday evening, please RSVP below so we can give the restaurant a heads-up of our headcount.
Note: Beer Mule has plenty of patio seating outside, so please remember to bring a jacket to keep warm.

RESCHEDULED – Destination Las Vegas
2023-01-04 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing

**THIS SEMINAR HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 AT 12PM**
Due to the storm affecting the Bay Area this evening, Destination: Las Vegas is being rescheduled to Saturday, January 28th at 12 PM, in the interest of our team members’ safety.
Web Members can choose to watch any of our nearly 500 pre-recorded seminars in the Seminar Video Archive.

Las Vegas is a popular destination among many travelers, so maybe it’s time you considered flying there yourself. Vegas is a perfect example of cross-country challenge for California pilots. With good flight planning, you and your passengers can make this trip safely despite busy airspace and mountains surrounding the valley airports.
San Carlos Flight Center brings together SCFC Chief Pilot Herb Patten and pilot Alessandro Franco to discuss some of their recent flights into Las Vegas, and to share with us what pilots flying can expect when flying into into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Henderson (HND), and North Las Vegas (VGT). In this seminar, they will summarize the flight planning between the San Francisco Bay Area and Vegas and point out many special considerations along the way. With high elevations, terrain, and extreme temperatures, pilots should operate carefully into this highly dense traffic area. Dozens of helicopters, hundreds of jets, and military traffic dominate the airspace around Las Vegas and as pilots, it’s important to be aware of them. Their presentation will summarize these operations, how to navigate airspace, and tips on what to do after you land.
If you ever considered venturing to Las Vegas, this will be an informative head start to your flight planning. We hope you can join us.

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

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2022 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Livestream access is free for everyone, but recorded seminars are available solely to members at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web archive of over 400 recorded safety seminars.
