A safe flying adventure, requires a safe pilot and a safe airplane. As pilots, we do what we can to inspect the plane before flight and to return it to the flight line in the same condition in which we found it. Mechanics who service and maintain aircraft we fly often have a deeper perspective. What can an experienced mechanic tell pilots and airplane owners that can improve our care and handling of the aircraft?
Tim Davis, a mechanic member of the SCFC Maintenance Team certified with Inspection Authority has offered to share with us some insights from the past few months of servicing SCFC fleet and outside aircraft. Some of the airplane care tips are for pilots, and some are for airplane owners who do preventative maintenance on their own planes. Do you know what adjustable item in the cockpit is the one mostly easily damaged inadvertently by pilots? Is there really a right way to clean the windshield? Is there a pilot role in propeller care?
Pilots of all levels can learn from hearing stories from mechanics, especially those who are able to communicate important topics to pilots who want a deeper understanding of how to protect and care for our aircraft. We hope you’ll join us.
Tim Davis has been an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic at San Carlos Flight Center since 2020. 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. In 2024, Tim earned his IA and is now a senior member of the SCFC Maintenance 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 2024 as a Distinguished Flight School for the fourth year in a row.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.
