Pop quiz: What is the new ICAO standard marking for a taxiway approaching a runway? What is the difference between a relocated threshold and a displaced threshold and what does that indicate to pilots? What is a runway approach holding sign and what are pilots expected to do?

Most pilots have an operational knowledge of the most common runway signs and markings, but if you travel to a larger airport, are you knowledgeable about some of the less common signs and markings? If it has been awhile since you sat through ground school, you may want to join us for a refresher on airport signs and markings. In this safety seminar, we will review the common markings and signs as well as delve into other less common but still important signs and markings.

This safety seminar is open to current and aspiring Private Pilots, and will be of particular interest to student pilots and those who are preparing for a flight review.

Beginning instrument training brings new challenges including new radio procedures. Flying through in the many airspaces of 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 training, rarely do instrument pilots get the time devoted to demystifying this often-confusing subject.

San Carlos Flight Center invites senior CFI Herb Patten to show how to perfect your communication and phraseology. They will cover radio phraseology from the basics through advanced ATC services with emphasis on practice approaches as well as full IFR communication. Learn how to make radio communication easier and safer for all pilots.

If you are interested in becoming better at your radio, you don’t want to miss this seminar.

Herb Patten is a Senior Instructor at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFII, an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor, and past SCFC Chief Pilot. He is a instrument-rated commercial pilot that has flown over 2,500 hours to more than 130 different California airports. He teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center, and is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2023, Herb was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA.

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

As a result of the 4th of July holiday weekend, there will be no SCFC seminar on Saturday, July 4th.

Enjoy the 4th of July and feel free to watch any of our recorded videos.

-SCFC Seminar Team

The Pacific Northwest is a hub of aviation industry and innovation, and what better way to experience this cosmopolitan region than in the air? However, with a major international airport, multiple military bases, an international border, and rapidly shifting weather patterns, flying in this airspace isn’t easy to navigate.

San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Herb Patten to delve into Seattle Airspace, flying across the US/Canada border, and different ways a Bay Area Pilot can reach the region. This seminar will break up the complex area into smaller areas so it can be interpreted and flown easily for any pilot hoping to fly in the region. In addition, we will also discuss proper procedures for cross-border flying, as well as how to handle some of the unique challenges of flying in the region, such as terrain and weather. Finally, they will highlight how to fly from the Bay Area to the Pacific Northwest VFR.

If you are hinting at flying to Seattle or Vancouver in the near future, this seminar will help you get there efficiently and safely. It is also a great primer for those attending our FlyOutGroup trip to Seattle and Canada in July.

Herb Patten is a Senior Instructor at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFII, an FAA-certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor, and past SCFC Chief Pilot. He is an instrument-rated commercial pilot who has flown over 3,500 hours to more than 140 different California airports. He teaches instrument and private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center and is the current chairman of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2025, Herb was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2024 as a Distinguished Flight School.

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.

Palm Springs, known for its days of sunshine, has been a unique Californian getaway for years. As a city nestled within the famous Coachella Valley and on the outskirts of the Mojave Desert there is something for everyone. From national parks to hiking and golf, your visit will be worthwhile.

San Carlos Flight Center invites Private Pilot Fei Fang to discuss what pilots flying to Palm Springs need to know. New destinations, especially long cross-country flights, challenge pilots to expand their skills and adapt to different scenarios. In this seminar, Fei will summarize flight planning into the Palm Springs Area at both PSP and UDD airports. Whether it is navigating around towering peaks and LA airspace, flying over vast deserts, or flying in unique airspace (TRSA anyone?) There are unique flight planning considerations to consider. She will conclude by highlighting the different amenities within the area and things to do.

If you ever considered venturing to Southern California, the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs await you for a challenging but yet rewarding long cross-country from the Bay 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. 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.

Every flight presents its own unique challenges and risks. As pilots, our responsibility is to identify these threats and find ways to mitigate them. Threat and Error Management (TEM) is an overarching safety management approach that assumes pilots will naturally make mistakes and encounter risky situations during flight operations. This model, along with many others, has been in use by professional aviators for decades. All pilots could benefit from learning this model and Safety Management Systems to significantly reduce the risk of an accident or incident.

San Carlos Flight Center has invited corporate pilot Brandan Dadoun, to share tips for a general aviation audience. In his presentation, Brandan will describe ways that this model and mindset can be used for every flight. He will incorporate this model through a variety of real-world case studies designed to emphasize the importance of TEM. 

Don’t miss out on this presentation if you want to become a safer and more attentive pilot.

Brandan Dadoun is a corporate pilot flying the Embraer Praetor 600. He has two type ratings and extensive flying experience throughout the country. Brandan completed all of his flight training at SCFC and has been involved in the community since 2015. He was formerly the Safety Seminar Program Director, where he served in his role for many years. The Federal Aviation Administration recognized his efforts for improving aviation safety with awards in 2022 and 2023. 

It seems like there are two groups of people who become flight instructors: pilots who love to share the art and skill of flying with new students, and pilots who love to share the art and skill of flying with new students while building hours toward a career in the airlines.

If you’re a new instructor, you may be facing the challenge of finding a school to align yourself with.  The industry fluctuates wildly, with sometimes too many instructors and sometimes not enough.  In the past year, flight schools have been flooded with new instructors as airlines temporarily shut down hiring, leaving many instructors teaching years past the time they originally thought.  So what’s a new CFI to do?  How do you get your foot in the door?

We asked SCFC Chief Pilot Dan Dyer to share some of his experiences on the hiring side, to give insights that may help new CFIs better position themselves in the tight job market.  He’s been a flight instructor himself for over twenty years and has been hiring instructors at San Carlos Flight Center for thirteen years of that.  He’ll review how the Flight Center looks for new instructors, some common deficiencies he’s seen in CFI applications, and help CFI applicants put their best foot forward.  How to handle in-person and Zoom interviews?  How to come prepared for a flight test?  What research to do before you apply, and what to ask for during negotiations.

This is an interesting look behind the scenes of one General Aviation business.  It is designed mostly for new instructors, but anyone may find these tips useful in future job searches.  Join us for a better understanding of what makes a quality flight instructor.

Dan Dyer is the founder of the San Carlos Flight Center and has built the motto of Safety, Community, and Adventure for over 12 years.  Dan was an instructor for over 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 [email protected]

This seminar will be open to all, both in-person and virtually. While we encourage in-person attendance, those watching virtually can join the livestream page at 7 PM PST. You may utilize the “Ask a Question” button and submit questions to the presenter. 

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.

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.