IFR Departure Procedures

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.

Believe it or not, IFR departures can be one of the most challenging parts of an IFR flight. The process of getting safely from the surface over all surrounding obstacles and up into the safety of the enroute IFR structure, all while operating at maximum performance configuration, slower speeds, and high pitch attitudes can be daunting.  The procedures for getting to altitude and established on a route can be accomplished in many different ways, and airports have many different published departure procedures.  How do you know which one you should expect?

In this safety seminar, CFI Brian Eliot will review a few of the instrument departure procedures for local Bay Area airports.  He will deconstruct the published procedures and show the most critical safety items, as well as what to typically expect in common practice.  This program is a must for pilots working on their instrument rating, or working to stay current with instrument departures.

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.