San Carlos Flight Center

Operating at Non-Paved Airports
2020-12-16 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

There was a time when all airports didn’t have asphalt, pavement, or concrete. Nowadays it’s hard to think about operating at an airport without paved ramps, taxiways, and runways. But if you come across one, will you know how to operate safely?.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Chief Pilot Herb Patten to discuss operations at unpaved airports. Sure you were taught soft field takeoff and landing during your private pilot training, but how does that compare to operating on a real soft field like a grass runway. Learn effective techniques for approaching an unpaved runway including what to expect on landing, rollout and taxing along with what hazards exist on unpaved runways. We will also discuss the details of airports with unpaved runways that are in close proximity to San Carlos.
If you are ever interested in what it takes to safely operate at unpaved airports, join us for this seminar.

Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 2,000 hours into at least 130 different California airports. He is the current Executive Director of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2015, Herb was named a Master Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.

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

Fly to Chico (KCIC) and Witness Where History Took Place in 1961
2020-12-13 - 2020-12-31 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
According to some “official” sources the first air hijacking attempt on American soil happened on July 31, 1961 when pipeline worker Bruce Britt, Sr., boarded and attempted to commandeer a Pacific Airlines flight at the Chico Municipal Airport, in Chico, California, intending to return to his home in Smackover, AK. CLICK HERE First U.S. skyjacking attempt was in Chico

Getting FAA Approved to Fly A Vision Jet
2020-12-12 12:00 - 13:30 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Many of us have flown in a jet, albeit in the passenger compartment or maybe in a flight simulator. A dream for some is to pilot a jet, and the process is not easy. It takes lots of skill, advanced training, and comprehensive review of systems and operations to fly them.
San Carlos Flight Center invites experienced pilot Kyle Harmon, a new Cirrus Vision Jet owner and type-rating holder to describe the process he took to become certified to fly a this exciting new aircraft. In this seminar he will discuss the two week process he spent at Cirrus Vision Center in Knoxville, TN and the preparation needed to pass his SF50 type rating checkride to ATP standards. Then he will talk about the series of long cross-country flight he took to build time and competency in the aircraft and to relocated the aircraft back to its new home.
Join us to learn about the operations of the first single engine light jet of its kind and the undertaking needed to fly it both locally, and transcontinentally. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity.

Kyle Harmon a commercially-rated pilot with a newly minted SF50 type rating, whom works in the tech industry and has been flying in the Bay Area since 2009. Prior to purchasing his new Vision Jet he primarily flew a Cessna P210. He is excited to share his aeronautical experiences as an owner of this one of a kind jet.

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.

Investigating Airplane Ownership
2020-12-09 19:00 - 20:30 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

At some time, most pilots consider owning their own plane. Have you? Because of the large investment and the risks associated, buying a plane can be as daunting as buying a small home. What costs should you expect? Will owning save you money over renting? What about buying an airplane with partners?
In this seminar, Nick Williams, aircraft owner and commercial pilot along with Alessandro Franco, owner of the San Carlos Flight Center, will share the advantages of buying your own airplane. They will discuss choosing the right airplane, how to navigate the purchase process, and what to consider when inspecting a potential airplane. The challenge of owning an airplane doesn’t end after the initial purchase. It is important to recognize the cost of required maintenance as well as other future expenses. Nick will also highlight how airplane ownership benefited him as a pilot by providing him an opportunity to have a deeper understanding of your airplane systems and maintenance as well as allowing him to further develop as a pilot.
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 airplane ownership.

Nick Williams is an instrument rated commercial pilot with about 300 hours, half of which are in his Cessna 152, which he has flown from Redding CA to the Mexico border and dozens of airports in between. He’s been a member of SCFC since summer 2018 and is currently studying for the CFI exams. Outside of aviation, he’s a project management professional in the software industry, and lives in Noe Valley with his wife and dogs.
Alessandro Franco is a pilot and the owner of San Carlos Flight Center. He manages the leaseback program and works closely with aircraft owners on a variety of matters, including leaseback contracts, maintenance, and aircraft sales.

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.

Handling an Electrical Failure while IFR in Busy Airspace
2020-12-05 12:00 - 13:30 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about special sign-in instructions for this seminar

The Los Angeles area is one of the most challenging and diverse airspaces to operate in, in the entire country. Pilots flying around Southern California experience the stress of dealing with busy air traffic controllers, navigating busy airspace, while simultaneously managing the aircraft. Often while operating under such a workload, we do not consider what could happen if we were to experience a systems failure, but if that happens, how would you handle the situation?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Instrument rated pilot David Mackler to recount his flight to Southern California and his encounter with an electrical system failure while IFR. David will describe at what point in his planned route that he encountered the failure and then share his decision making process and how he evaluated the risk posed by the electrical failure. David will also lead this as a case-study discussion and invite you to put yourself in his place, what decisions you would have made and when, how you would have responded, and how it might have turned out differently. Based on this experience, David will describe the changes he made to his flight planning process, and lastly will stress the importance of effective communication with ATC about inflight threats, especially while operating in close vicinity of a presidential TFR in which David also experienced that day.
Flying long distance and in new challenging complex areas can be fun, but it is important to recognize how as pilots we need to prepare for all outcomes, and be ready to handle the unexpected. Join us for a first-hand account of a pilot’s viewpoint of a complex situation – and how to make the right decision.

David Mackler is an instrument rated private pilot out of Reid-Hillview and a refugee from the tech industry. He enjoys flying for recreation and occasionally for transportation. Although a late starter to flying, David is working hard to make up for lost time.

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.

WAAS or GPS Failures when Flying RNAV Approaches
2020-12-02 19:00 - 20:30 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Instrument approaches have evolved greatly over the years. From the old VOR/DME approaches to ILS, and RNAV GPS approaches. With each new type of approach came more precision. GPS and WAAS-based instrument approaches have changed the way we fly. These approaches are very precise and have decreased our reliance on ground-based navigation facilities. But what happens if they fail?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Assistant Chief Pilot Brian Eliot to discuss what to do when you are flying an RNAV approach, and encounter an RNAV or WAAS failure. These RNAV approaches are easier to fly and more precise than the traditional approaches. With WAAS and GPS services available 99.99% of the time, it is hard to think about what would happen if they were to fail. Sometimes failures do happen, and it is crucial that we know how to handle them.
Join us, as Brian discusses what to do and how to train for these rare occurrences. You will then be prepared to handle this outage like a pro.

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.

Webinar
2020-12-02 08:00 - 17:00, 2020-11-02 08:00 - 17:00 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:

The Sacramento Trilogy
2020-12-01 - 2020-12-14 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Anytime during the first 2 weeks of December fly to Sacramento California and land at all 3 towered airports in one day. Sacramento International (KSMF), Sacramento Executive (KSAC) and Sacramento Mather (KMHR). Submit a 1 sentence description of your flight to flyoutgroup@gmail.com so we can all compare all of our experiences. Don’t forget to beware of valley fog.

Understanding and Avoiding Graveyard Spirals, An Exploration of In-Flight Illusions
2020-11-28 12:00 - 13:30 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

In primary training, pilots learn that visual and vestibular sensations do not necessarily reflect the actual position, speed and attitude of the aircraft they fly. If not recognized and remediated promptly, the discrepancy between sensation interpretation and aircraft circumstances can lead to loss of situational awareness, with possible catastrophic consequences.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Michel Vidal-Naquet, an FAA Advanced Ground Instructor, to explain common sensory illusions such as the graveyard spin, the graveyard spiral, the leans and much more. During this seminar he will describe how these illusions lead to specific accident trajectories, and discuss how they may be recognized. Learn how to positively control your aircraft during all phases of flight, to prevent from these unexpected illusions from happening.
This exploration will help pilots intimately understand the nature of common illusions experienced during different phases of flight, how these illusions relate to specific accidents, and how they can be recognized and overcomed in the future. With this knowledge, attendees can become safer pilots with a reinforced understanding of the danger of sensory illusions.

Michel Vidal-Naquet is an advanced and instrument ground instructor, and an instrument rated, commercial pilot with over 700 flight hours. He started flying in 2013 after settling in the Bay area to work as a computer scientist and engineer. His passion for aviation began during his early childhood when his family first took him on international flights. He brings a scientific point of view to his flying, and is always learning.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation 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.

Thanksgiving - NO SEMINAR
2020-11-25 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
There will be no Safety Seminar on Wednesday, November 25th due to Thanksgiving. Go out and enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends!
Join us back for our next seminar on Saturday, November 28th.
-SCFC Seminar Team

Insights of Preventative Maintenance from an A&P
2020-11-21 12:00 - 13:30 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Preventative Maintenance is often a topic that is confusing for most pilots, including who can perform the work, what work can be done, and how to make it legal. Mechanics work on airplanes daily and are familiar with all types of maintenance, and it’s crucial that pilots are aware of how to properly perform preventative maintenance.
San Carlos Flight Center invites A&P Tim Davis to discuss what preventative maintenance actually is, how pilots can actually perform it, and how to do so safely. In this seminar, Tim will discuss what tools you should have and how to use them safely, along with providing example scenarios based around the limitations of preventative maintenance for pilots. Furthermore, Tim will cover the basics of how to perform simple maintenance on aircraft including how to remove and install cowlings, install safety wires and cotter pins, put clamps on hoses, and including the all important logging procedure.
If you have ever wondered about how to perform preventative maintenance, or want to have a strong understanding of 14 CFR 43, this is the seminar for you.

Tim Davis is an 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 licence shortly after.

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.

SpaceX launch of a Falcon 9 Block 5 Rocket - Vandenberg AFB
2020-11-21 09:00 - 10:00 | Vandenberg AFB
Take a plane down to the Vandenberg area to watch a SpaceX launch of a Falcon 9 Block 5 Rocket.
Click on the link below for more details: https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch-schedule/launch-details.php?id=1311

Note: Date and Time may vary so check the link for updates

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

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

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

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

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

Winter is here with all its IMC. The game is real and this is what we train for. You probably have a general understanding of IFR charts including Victor airways and MEAs, but this is the last time to really look closely at all the information available on a chart. Do you recall how to decipher MRAs? How about the different types of fixes found along an airway? We will take a close look at some hidden gems of details on the IFR enroute charts.
SCFC Flight Instructor Herb Patten will present a safety seminar that will help to end the confusion. He will demystify the numbers and markings on the FAA’s IFR Low Enroute Charts and help pilots develop a better understanding of the details on these charts. Herb will explain waypoint and navigational aid symbology, and describe the various altitudes shown on the charts. This is a valuable safety seminar for new IFR Students and a great refresher for pilots that are already instrument rated.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity for an in depth review of the common and not so common content on IFR charts.

Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 1,500 hours into at least 120 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2015, Herb was named a Master Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ross Ferguson, CFI. Ross has been a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and Airline Pilot for more than 25 years. He has flown aircraft ranging from Ultralights to transport aircraft including many Airbus and Boeing jets. Ross has owned and operated his own aircraft and is currently a member of the US Yak-52 Aerobatic Team.

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

The San Andreas Fault
2020-11-01 - 2020-11-30 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
The San Andreas Fault roughly extends 750 SM from SE California near Arizona to NW California at the Pacific Coast. It forms the tectonic boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The slip rate along the fault ranges from 20 to 35 mm (0.79 to 1.38 in)/yr. The fault is capable of making earthquakes as big as an 8.3. For full details see Wikipedia’s The San Andreas Fault.
How much of the fault can you fly? Some, most or all. During the month of November let’s fly the fault. Take as many days as you wish to accomplish your mission level or your choice (some, most or all of it) and make sure you chart it via for FlightAware, ForeFlight, Cloudahoy, Garmin or other so you can see how close your flight matches the fault itself. Then send your chart to flyoutgroup@gmail.com so we can compare them all. How fun is this?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 1,500 hours into at least 120 different California airports. He is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2015, Herb was named a Master Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FOG Colorado Trip Recap
2020-10-14 19:00 - 20:30 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing.

Look out for a description shortly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full Moon Flyers – Changed to KSTS
2020-10-04 18:30 - 20:00 | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
Due to smoke we will change our destination tonight to enjoy outdoor socially distance dining at Santa Rosa’s Sky Lounge.
The flight is spectacular, the restaurant is in the terminal building. The night flight home can be used to renew your night currency and/or satisfy a night cross country requirement as well as the San Francisco City Nightscape is truly a memorable experience.
We will meet at the restaurant at 6:30 pm for their outdoor dining experience in light of this year’s pandemic.
Hope you can make it. Be safe!

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

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

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

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