San Carlos Flight Center

Ground School Refresher: Airspace
2022-07-09 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Carlos Flight Center, Select a Country:
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Let’s face it, airspace is an imaginary concept. It is just a shorthand way to talk about the set of Federal Aviation Regulations that apply by location and altitude, and the impact they have on VFR flight. As confusing as you think the rules are, with a quick refresher, you’ll be back to full knowledge in no time.
If it has been awhile since you sat through ground school, you may be due for an airspace refresher. In this safety seminar, we will review the different classes of airspace that are found in the United States. We’ll cover their shapes, sizes, operating rules, and also cover special use airspace. Want an easy way to keep confusing Class G airspace rules memorized, use the Flight Center’s method that teaches there are 3 types of Class G airspace, Class G-low, Class G-mid, and Class G-high. Do you know the differences between them? Where would you look it up? What happens to Class D when the tower closes? How well do you know airspace?
This safety seminar is open to current and aspiring Private Pilots, and will be of particular interest to students pilots and those who are preparing for a flight review. You will leave the seminar with a renewed understanding, and probably a few memory aids to take with your on your next flight.

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

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

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

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

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

-SCFC Seminar Team

Full Moon Flyers: Santa Rosa with Upwind
2022-07-13 19:00 - 21:00
Update 7/8: The event is currently full! If you’d like to participate and have not currently signed up, please email flyoutgroup@sancarlosflight.com to inquire about event availability.
FOG’s biggest event of the year is back!
On the evening of Wednesday, July 13th, join us at Santa Rosa (STS), where we will join forces with the Upwind Summer Scholarship to showcase the fantastic General Aviation community to the high-school students and their families. Park around 6:30 PM at Kaiser Air, then plan to meet up no later than 7:00 PM at Sky Lounge Steakhouse and Sushi Bar inside the passenger terminal. FOG and Upwind will have the outdoor patio to ourselves, allowing for plenty of seating and opportunities to view the sunset. Afterwards, enjoy the twilight flight home, where you can view the San Francisco skyline on the way back, or land at a few airports to reset your night currency.
Upwind students will fly with their instructors, but FOG pilots who are able to will often allow the students’ families to ride along in their aircraft. This is a great way to introduce the families to the aviation community and the incredible people behind it.
This is FOG’s most popular event. Last year, we set the record for the largest FOG event ever. Can we top it this time?
Due to the popularity of this event and the coordination of rides, please make sure to RSVP and book your plane early! Also, when you register, please let us know where you are departing from and if you are able to accept passengers. For those that are willing to take parents and family members, FOG and Upwind will be in contact with you to coordinate the logistics.
Please RSVP below by July 7 so that we can inform the restaurant and FBO of the headcount.
This promises to be a great event, and we look forward to a fun evening in Santa Rosa!
FOG is open to all pilots, even pilots not affiliated with the Flight Center. However, you must create a free account to register for FOG events, which you can do here. If you have any questions, please contact flyoutgroup@sancarlosflight.com for assistance.

I Failed a Checkride – Now What?
2022-07-16 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Every FAA Practical Test (or “checkride”) has three possible outcomes – pass, fail, or discontinuance. Most people pass on the first time, and you’ve likely heard a number of stories of passed checkrides. But what happens if you don’t pass? What comes next after you have been notified that the maneuver you just flew fails to meet FAA standards? Can you finish the checkride? What additional training is needed? What is involved in a retest? Is your flying career over?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Commercial Pilot Travis Bender to share stories from the two of three checkrides that he has passed to date, and details of how he handled his experience failing one. How was he notified? How did the examiner react? What training did he do between the failed checkride and the successful pass on his second attempt? In this seminar, he’ll explain how to work with your instructor to get you back in the air, and what ways you can practice your skills before the next checkride attempt. Travis will conclude with ways to turn a failed checkride into a learning opportunity and a chance to grow as a pilot.
For those who are planning on taking a checkride soon, or have failed a checkride, you won’t want to miss this seminar.

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

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

Truckee Airport Operations – CANCELLED
2022-07-20 19:00 - 20:30
This safety seminar has been canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date.

-SCFC Seminar Team

First Aid for Pilots
2022-07-23 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

A good pilot is always learning ways to enhance their safety. As pilots, we are always preparing for the in-flight “what ifs”, but what about training for after the air emergency? You’ve declared an in air emergency and been forced to the ground, now what? How can you treat your own injuries? How and when should you administer first aid to others? What should you bring in your first aid kit? What’s packed in your survival bag?
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Daniel Sanchez Ruiz as he walks us through how pilots can administer basic first aid and what life saving tools you should bring along with you. In this seminar, Daniel will discuss basic first aid techniques and give real-life examples of how to handle bandaging, splinting, problems equalizing pressure in the ear, burns and hypoxia. These examples are things any pilot can encounter during their flight, or stranded in a wreck site. Daniel will share his experience to ensure you are prepared to handle these stressful and challenging scenarios if you should encounter them.
Every pilot should have a knowledge of how to treat themselves or their passengers in case of an emergency, and have a thorough systematic thought process of going about it. Join us to feel confident about these techniques on your next flight.

Daniel Sanchez Ruiz is a senior flight instructor at San Carlos Flight Center. He began his aviation career with maintenance training in Caracas, Venezuela, but quickly moved into flying as 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 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.

Bigger, Higher, Faster – Transition to the Professional Flying Environment
2022-07-27 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Pilots take to the skies for a variety of reasons; whether it’s for a fun day trip with friends or family, or as part of your daily routine as a professional pilot. Regardless of how you use flying, have you ever wondered how the pilots behind the nation’s largest air carriers sound so professional? Or how they nail a spot landing every time? Or how they can handle flying such a large aircraft at high speeds? These pilots use industry developed techniques and procedures to ensure the highest level of professionalism and safety while flying.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Brandan Dadoun, commercial pilot, to share his experience transitioning into the professional flying environment. In this seminar, Brandan will highlight the key differences present between recreational and professional flying such as crew resource management, structured use of checklists, and adapting to larger, more complex turbine powered aircraft. Brandan will emphasize how any pilot can benefit from incorporating these new techniques and many more into their flying. After learning some things the hard-way during his career progression, he hopes to share his teachable moments for all pilots to hear.
If you want to hear more about how you can learn from the professional flying environment, or are curious about starting your career as a professional aviator, join us for this seminar.

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

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

Radio Communications 3: Non Towered Airport Communications
2022-07-30 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Flying in and out of the many airports in California 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.
This seminar is the third in a series of SCFC’s Radio Communication Safety Seminars and focuses on non-towered radio communications. Although Federal Aviation Regulations don’t require pilots to make radio calls at non-towered airports, it is strongly advised for safety. This seminar will help newer pilots understand the structure of radio calls for non-towered airports and how to improve their own radio skills.
Herb Patten, Chief Pilot AGI and CFI and Dan Dyer, CFI will walk participants through a foundation of non-towered radio communication phraseology and use, from the basics through advanced. Learn how to make radio communication easier and safer for all pilots.
This will be an important seminar for pilots struggling with radio communications. If this is you, plan to attend. Build your confidence, and be the pilot you want to be.

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.
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.

Webinar
2022-08-02 08:00 - 17:00, 2022-09-02 08:00 - 17:00

Landing Games - Teaching Past Student Roadblocks
2022-08-03 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

As a flight instructor, you are expected to produce a safe, competent student pilot that has all the required knowledge, skills, and good decision making. Interestingly, each item is built up in the student very different. Knowledge is taught. Good decision making is modeled, and mentored. But flight skills are unique, in that they are mostly acquired by the student by trial and error. This presents a challenge to a CFI – how to create a series of trial and error challenges that allows the student to make and correct for small mistakes while developing along the overall path. The ability to recognize what roadblocks to self-learning are occurring in each student can make the difference between an okay instructor and a good one.
SCFC invites CFI Dan Dyer to share some of the educational exercises he used when working with students to improve their landings, that San Carlos Flight Center instructors have collectively dubbed to as “landing games”. They include various low passes, takeoff, taxi, and landing challenges, each designed to create the right practice environment for a student to teach themselves hand-eye coordination skills by trial and error. Dan’s years of experience as a flight instructor were informed by his education in cognitive science and his passion for understanding how people think and learn. These targeted landing exercises may seem unusual at first, but each is a way of breaking apart the complicated skill of landing into component skills that can be built up.
If you are a new flight instructor looking for a way to help your students move past roadblocks in their skill acquisition journey, we invite you to join us for this presentation. The topic may also be valuable for private pilots looking to better understand the individual skill components that build up to landing excellence, or to student pilots who want to better understand the challenge their instructors are having in “teaching” landing.

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

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

Instrument Approach Plates
2022-08-06 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Instrument pilots develop familiarity with instrument approaches based on a review of the approaches they typically fly. There is a lot of similarity among the information contained in the majority of approach procedures. Every now and then, you come across an approach that may make you stop and wonder what the notation means. Can there be a glide slope on an LDA? What are some of the more challenging holds that you might find?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Brian Eliot, CFII, to share a select set of approach plates for their unique procedures. He will cover how to identify unique approach procedure notations and sift through the clutter to identify the vital differences.
While you may not actually fly one of these approaches, getting a broader exposure to some of them will make you a more informed instrument pilot. We will use examples of approaches from around the country. Join us to be a more prepared, and knowledgeable instrument rated pilot.

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

Ground School Refresher: Weather Theory
2022-08-10 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Weather can play a huge factor in any pilots pre-flight planning and actual flight. Weather is a complex subject that can affect an aircraft’s performance, ability to generate lift, along with many other things. From the subtle forming of clouds, to thunderstorms and microbursts, how can you stay safe in the air?
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Collin Korey to cover the topic of weather theory. In this seminar he will provide a general outlook on weather and how it is created, how the coriolis effect affects weather, how to detect adverse weather patterns, fog, and much more. Be more confident on your next flight knowing that you have made the right decisions for your flight.
If you have ever had difficulties trying to grasp the complexities of weather, then this is the seminar for you.

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

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 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: Harris Ranch
2022-08-11 19:00 - 21:00
A longtime favorite of pilots in California, Harris Ranch (3O8) is known for its award-winning steak and hamburgers. Located just outside Coalinga, the ranch features a hotel and multiple restaurants, as well as an excellent lighted runway for pilots to fly in. On Thursday, August 11, let’s fly down to the Ranch to have dinner at their signature restaurant.
The flight down is varied as it takes you from the urban sprawl of the Bay Area, across the Diablo Range, and then an easy flight following the I-5 corridor. You’ll get a view of the ranch from the air before descending for the thin runway that sits just to the south of the restaurant. Upon landing, we’ll walk to the restaurant together at 7 PM, where we will enjoy a variety of freshly cut steaks and other dining options. Harris Ranch is regarded as one of the best restaurants for pilots to fly into in Northern California. The food truly is excellent.
After dinner, depart for a moonlit flight back to the Bay Area. The route is easy, as you will follow the I-5 interstate until reaching Tracy, and then from there, it’s just a quick flight over the Altamont Pass into the Bay Area. If you need to reset your night currency or practice night landings for your next certificate, Los Banos, Tracy, and Byron airports all are excellent places to do so.
Important: As Harris Ranch’s restaurant is very popular, please make sure you RSVP no later than Monday, August 8th. This will ensure we can accommodate seating for everyone.
Like other FOG events, please RSVP below, and indicate if you are able to take passengers, so we can allow student pilots and other aviation community members to participate.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Update August 9: This event is currently full! If you’d like to sign up, please contact flyoutgroup@sancarlosflight.com to inquire about any extra space.
FOG is open to all pilots, even pilots not affiliated with the Flight Center. However, you must create a free account to register for FOG events, which you can do here. If you have any questions, please contact flyoutgroup@sancarlosflight.com for assistance.

Truckee Airport Operations
2022-08-13 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing
**For information, flyers, and handouts referenced during this presentation please click here.**

Truckee Airport is the gateway to Lake Tahoe. The spectacular views of Lake Tahoe are a short flight away, but pilots need to be aware of the challenges associated with these flights. Truckee is settled well above sea level, located between mountainous terrain and gorgeous vistas. This location brings variable weather conditions which can pose tricky to manage for new pilots. While it can be an excellent place to visit, pilots need to be thoroughly familiar with airport procedures and to know what to expect upon their arrival in Truckee.
San Carlos Flight Center invites David Van Quest, the Pilot Outreach Coordinator at the Truckee Airport to talk with pilots about terrain, best routes of travel, tower operations, and recently installed ADSB ground stations and their impact on flight operations. Truckee is a dynamic airport with noise abatement procedures, curfews, seasonal flight considerations such as density altitude, mountain wave, icing, wildlife and much more. David will also briefly touch on some of the things one might want to do in Truckee, along with the services the airport provides to visiting pilots.
If you are looking to plan a trip to Truckee sometime this summer, join us to feel more safe, confident, and knowledgeable on your upcoming trip to Truckee.

David Van Quest was originally from Southern California, David moved to the Truckee/ Tahoe area in 2013 to enjoy a life in the mountains. David began his career in aviation in 2018 when he was hired by the Truckee Tahoe Airport as their Noise Associate. In 2021 he earned his private pilot’s certificate and shortly after was promoted to KTRK’s Aviation & Community Coordinator where he interacts with community members and teaches pilots the best ways to come and go from Truckee.

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.

You’re Not the Only Pilot in the Sky
2022-08-17 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

The radio frequency is a precious and shared resource, with every pilot on frequency hearing everyone else’s good, bad, and ugly transmissions. Radio skills are essential but often not taught or taught poorly. Sadly, pilots often learn from listening to the radio where there is a plethora of jargon, slang and extraneous words. Learning to use direct, clear, and concise phraseology is imperative to effective radio communication; although not everyone always follows that motto.
San Carlos Flight Center invites King Air Captain and check airman Ben Taber to share with us the things that grate on the ears of other pilots and air traffic controllers. After 30 years of flying throughout North America, Ben has developed a keen ear for quality radio practices, and useful tips & tricks that can improve your radio skills and make you sound like a pro. Sounding like a professional on the radio doesn’t have to be just for airline pilots – take this opportunity to see if you have been developing bad radio habits over the years, and find a solution to remedy the issue.
Join us for this ear-opening opportunity to discover key radio practices that you might’ve missed out on for all these years.

Captain 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 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.

How Flight Sim Training Improved my Radio as a Pilot
2022-08-20 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Speaking on the radio with ATC embodies a lot of a pilots workload. Sometimes pilots like to speak too much while transmitting on frequency, leading to frequency congestion, confusion, and can overall be an annoyance. As pilots we should be direct, clear, and professional with our transmissions. SCFC pilot Brandan Dadoun has an interesting story about how his time training to be a controller on VATSIM, the virtual air traffic simulation network, actually improved his understanding and ability as a pilot.
As you may imagine, real life air traffic controllers go through extensive radio and procedures training. It turns out the same is true for people training to be virtual air traffic controllers on VATSIM. Over three years, Brandan studied the basics of airspace, airport and enroute procedures, LOAs, and detailed procedural training for all of Northern California and Oakland Center. Under supervised training, he was able to work up to controlling Oakland Center. Now, he trains others in ATC procedures in the SF Bay Area.
SCFC has invited Brandan to share what he has learned from virtual air traffic management, and how it informs his ability to use the radio effectively as a pilot. He has tips/references to the AIM on how to become a better pilot on the radio. He will also interactively show crucial examples of how being “lazy” or careless about radio phraseology can lead to confusion. Learn how to spot the confusion within multiple examples of bad phraseology, and ultimately become safer in the skies.

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

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

FOG Lunch: Watsonville
2022-08-20 12:00 - 14:00
Come join the FlyOutGroup (FOG) on Saturday, August 20th, with a scenic flight to Watsonville (WVI)! An easy location to get to from the Bay Area, enjoy a scenic hop over the Santa Cruz Mountains, and then descend over Monterey Bay. Park in Transient Parking, and we’ll all meet at Zameen’s at the Hanger for lunch.
Zameen’s is located across the street from the aircraft terminal. A new restaurant for FOG, this Mediterranean establishment is known for its gyro wraps and salad bowls. You can place your order inside, and the group will most likely be seated in the patio area. Zameen’s has received a lot of positive feedback, so bring your appetite and beat the summer heat with a refreshing lunch!
We’re excited about the event, and look forward to seeing you in Watsonville! Please RSVP below.
FOG is open to all pilots, even pilots not affiliated with the Flight Center. However, you must create a free account to register for FOG events, which you can do here. If you have any questions, please contact flyoutgroup@sancarlosflight.com for assistance.

How I Prepared for My Private Pilot Checkride
2022-08-24 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

For most pilots, the first checkride is the most intimidating one. It can be a nerve-wracking experience decoding the ACS and sitting through the glare of the designated pilot examiner. Have you prepared, studied, and reviewed what’s required of you on checkride? Are you ready to fly on your own? And can you be the safe, competent pilot that we all aim to be?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Private Pilot Obed Han to share his journey in becoming a Private Pilot. Obed will provide an overview of the training, how he prepared, some pitfalls to avoid, and how he and his instructor worked together to ensure that he was ready for the practical test. How they provided him with the required aeronautical knowledge, trained him to model proper risk management while developing full aircraft control and flight proficiency. It’s crucial that each pilot recognizes these areas as they develop themselves as a pilot.
Join us to hear more about the checkride experience, how to prepare, and have an insight into the first step of becoming a certificated pilot.

Obed Han is a Private Pilot and received his training at San Carlos Flight Center. Obed became interested in aviation after taking a Young Eagles flight in 2018. As a result he earned the James Ray Scholarship which provided him funding for his flight training. He is also involved within numerous aviation programs, including co-founding the local EAA Chapter’s Young Aviators program, participating in the RV-12 build, and volunteering as a mentor for VATSIM, virtually controlling airplanes across the Bay Area and training other ATC candidates.

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

Upwind Year End Event
2022-08-26 18:30 - 20:30
Summer of Upwind has ended, Checkride dates are set, and we are ready to celebrate another successful year of the Upwind Scholarship Program!
Please join us to congratulate both the Upwind Class of 2022 on everything they have achieved. We will be hosting their families and friends outside in our half-hangar, so come on out and raise a glass to the next generation of pilots!

We ask that you RSVP no later than Wednesday, August 24, so we can accurately supply enough food and beverage for the event.

Preventive Maintenance at a 50-Hour Service
2022-08-27 12:00 - 13:30
In November of last year, SCFC presented a seminar in which we reviewed the types of things a pilot can do that qualify as preventive maintenance. Now, we will revisit the topic in the context of a real-world 50-hour service done on a regularly flying aircraft.
San Carlos Flight Center invites A&P Tim Davis to talk in-depth about tasks pilots can perform during a 50-hour service. There are many tasks that qualify as preventive maintenance. In this seminar, Tim will identify those tasks that pilots could perform such as oil changes, cleaning and gapping spark plugs, light bulb replacements and lubrication of flight controls. He will describe the steps to perform these tasks and the required steps to document the maintenance.
If you wanted to gain a real world understanding of how to apply your knowledge of preventive maintenance, join us for this unique opportunity.

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

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

The Green Book - What’s New in the Chart Supplement
2022-08-31 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Pilots sometimes refer to the FAA Aeronautical Chart Supplement as the “Green Book” due to the color of the printed book. This reference is rich with details about airports, and is re-issued every 8 weeks, making it one of the most repurchased components of a complete flight deck. With the advent of digital flight tools and digital publishing, many pilots now access this trove of data via computer tables and in-flight cockpit displays, but the value is still there. There may be even more content than you are familiar with, as a result of recent FAA changes and improvements to the Chart Supplement.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Herb Patten, Chief Pilot to give a guided tour of the amazing details found in the Chart Supplement. What has changed? Hot Spots! What is new? Arrival Alert Notices! What is no longer published? Aeronautical chart updates. This seminar will provide you with a refresh of the content as well as helping you to find this content if you use ForeFlight.
The Chart Supplement is full of lots of features to aid in your flight planning. Join us to get reacquainted with us to be better prepared on your next flight.

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 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.

Planning a Flight with ForeFlight
2022-09-03 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

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

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

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

Colorado Trip Recap
2022-09-07 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

The 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 learn from our pilots first hand experience of how to navigate this process.
San Carlos Flight Center invites private pilots Daivde Semerzin and John Hendricks 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. Any pilot can benefit learning from their experience.
Please join us for a recap of this trip with picture and video highlights, and insights from the pilots that attended.

How a Seaplane Rating Will Save Your Life
2022-09-10 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Have you ever thought about how having a Seaplane rating will enhance your knowledge of how to handle emergencies? Most pilots have never had to think about landing in the water, until the unexpected happens. Which way will you land? Gear up, down, or does it matter? Open the doors before you land? How can you practice an emergency water landing?
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Shane Terpstra to discuss how a Seaplane rating can be a useful rating for pilots. Most of us spend a lot of time looking down as the ground goes by thinking about the best place to put our airplanes in the event of an emergency. Living in an area where water surrounds us, the possibility of having to ditch becomes even more prevalent. With a Seaplane rating, pilots can feel more at ease about safely evaluating the landing site, and ditching in the water. In this seminar, Shane will discuss how Seaplane pilots can understand the water below, and carefully handle all the risks.
Join us for this unique opportunity to explore the benefit of adding a seaplane rating to your certificate.

Shane Terpstra is an Airline Transport Pilot, Certificated Flight Instructor (Single & Multi-Engine Land and Single-Engine Sea) with Instrument Privileges, an FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor and a NAFI Master Instructor. After pursuing a career in Information Technology, Shane stayed true to his passion for aviation by continuously flying or advancing his ratings over the past 30 years. Shane has over a decade of experience as a flight instructor and is currently the Director of Safety and Chief Pilot for the largest flight club in the world. Shane is a passionate aviation enthusiast, FAA FAASTeam Lead Representative, NTSB-trained Accident Investigator, and former airline Captain. He is also a former Civil Air Patrol Incident Commander and SAR Pilot with over 20 years of experience.

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: Nut Tree
2022-09-10 19:00 - 21:00
A unique destination, Nut Tree Airport (VCB) in Vacaville is located right next to a major shopping and dining center. A former amusement park, the Nut Tree area is now home to numerous dining options, making it a great place to travel to and satisfy all kinds of appetites.
On Saturday, September 10th at 7 PM, let’s meet up at the Nut Tree airport and walk to the dining area. The flight is easy, but picking a restaurant is the hard part, with options ranging from BBQ to pizza, ramen to vitamin bowls, and sushi to Mexican food. Once you’ve secured the airplane at transient parking, walk to the south side of the hangars to the west, through the gate, and then follow the pathway to the shopping and dining center.
After your meal, treat yourself to Fenton’s Ice Cream, which is known for its one-of-a-kind creations and flavors, and is a popular place for residents of Solano County. Grab ice cream for the walk back, or enjoy dining on their patio.
The airport is lit at night, and it’s easy to pick up flight following with Travis Approach. Need to work on your night landings? Concord, Napa, and Oakland are within a fifteen-minute flight away.
Like other FOG events, RSVP below, and please indicate if you can take passengers to allow student pilots and other aviation community members to participate. Hope to see you there!

Lessons Learned from the Airlines
2022-09-14 19:00 - 20:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Earning a pilot certificate means getting a ticket to learn. But how do you learn without making mistakes? Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment. More advanced ratings provide exposure to challenging situations. In particular, pilots transitioning to the airlines train to deal with challenging scenarios and to work with others to safely make the right decisions.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Airline Captain Jessica Reinschmidt to share lessons learned from the airlines. In this seminar, Jessica will discuss how her complex training prepared her to perform under pressure, effectively work with others, and practice proper resource management both inside and outside of the flightdeck. Learn from real life examples recognizing hazardous scenarios, how to handle them, and knowing which resources to use.
We encourage everyone to join us for this unique opportunity to learn from an experienced aviation professional, ask questions, and improve your skills.

Jessica Reinschmidt is an Airbus Captain at Alaska Airlines, by way of Virgin America. Her path to the flight deck has not been a straight shot. Instead, she followed an indirect path to follow her dream. After being told in High School that she could never be an airline pilot, she pursued a degree in Meteorology, but found that her guidance counselor was wrong. She transferred to the University of Illinois’ Combined Flight/Maintenance Program. She has experience being a Line Fueler, Gate Agent, Ramp Agent, Customer Service Supervisor, and long time CFI before landing her first airline job with Mesa Airlines in 2005. She grew up in suburban Chicago, where she continues to live with her husband (a Spirit Pilot), and her two sons.

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.

The Devil in the Details of Practical Tests – Insights from a DPE
2022-09-17 12:00 - 13:30
This seminar will only be available for online viewing. IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.**
Click here to learn more about online viewing

Checkrides can be intimidating. Leading up to a checkride, applicants always hear about the stories of failure. Often applicants get too caught up in the failures of others, what they did wrong, and how the examiner “wanted” them to fail. This leads many to prepare themselves specifically for one examiner, meanwhile overlooking the details of the ACS standards and the habits that could ultimately make them a better pilot.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), Scott Rohlfing, to share with applicants how a detailed approach to flying can set them apart from the rest of the applicants. DPEs do not just evaluate an applicant on their ability to perform within ACS skill standards, but the way they behave in practice, the risks they take, and their overall aeronautical decision making. In this seminar, learn how to develop good flying practices through the attention to detail. The Airmen Certification Standards refers to many of the following details as evaluation criteria including, the proper and consistent use of checklists throughout every phase of flight, the positive exchange of flight controls, real time weather briefings, the usage and familiarization of all installed equipment in the aircraft, and much more. Learn to be aware of the way you operate and the bad habits you’ve already developed as a fledgling pilot. These details, individually may not fail you on a check ride, but collectively they will end in a notice of disapproval or worst case, an NTSB investigation or Pilot Deviation. Make it your mission to become a detail-oriented, safe and competent pilot.
Join us for this unique opportunity to hear from a DPE on how you can improve the way you fly, and feel confident about your next practical test.

Scott Rohlfing is a DPE in the San Jose FSDO District and has conducted almost 1,000 practical tests. As a Gold Seal Flight Instructor he has given more than 6500 hours of dual instruction to CFIs and pilots of every level. When not evaluating airmen or providing training, Scott has been a corporate pilot for 17 years and an active political advocate against the closure of Reid Hillview Airport.

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

FOG Lunch: Monterey
2022-09-18 12:00 - 14:00
It’s hot in the Bay Area in September. Beat the heat this month and head down to the Monterey Airport to cool off and enjoy great food at Woody’s at the Airport! On September 18th, enjoy lunch on the outdoor patio 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 before or after lunch with a variety of approaches into nearby airports like Marina or Salinas.
After landing, park at Del Monte Aviation, as Monterey does not have any transient parking near the restaurant. 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 12 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!

G1000 Idiosyncrasies
2022-09-21 08:00 - 17:00
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 instrument panel for small aircraft has been certified as a class III EFB (no paper required in the cockpit) for years. Pilots trust the G1000 avionics as a reliable source to deliver information while in flight; but there are many intricacies that many pilots do not know about. Safety requires a full discussion of some specific choices Garmin made in system design, to prevent encountering something the pilot was preferred for.
San Carlos Flight Center invites King Air Captain and check airman Ben Taber to discuss the idiosyncrasies related to the G1000 avionics. In this seminar, Taber will highlight things that pilots should be aware of while operating planes equipped with these avionics. The G1000 often has airspace lines that aren’t depicted on the MFD, flight plan entry restrictions, invalid weather depictions, no radio altimeters, and countless other complications while operating under IFR.
Join us as you learn about these new things that might’ve never appeared to you while flying this aircraft.

Capt. Bennett Taber is a check airman and training captain with over 35 years and 18,000 hours of air charter experience throughout the western United States. His first 500 hours of flying were conducted in Alaska. Captain Taber manages flight operations and charter sales for Dreamline Aviation in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a Dreamline Training Captain in Beech King Air aircraft.

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