San Carlos Flight Center invites Private Pilot Nico Ghilardi to share his path to becoming a private pilot, highlighting the unique side opportunities he took to get real mountain flying experience, learn about challenging weather conditions, apply short-field takeoff and landing techniques in the beauty of the Colorado mountains.

There are a lot of ways you can customize your training adventure to the way you want. If you are looking for ways to spice up your training for your private pilot certificate, join us to hear Nico as he shares his innovative training flights.

Nico Ghilardi is a private pilot with over 150 flight hours. Recently he obtained his high performance endorsement, and is currently receiving aerobatic training. He has a surplus of flying experience after adventuring on a multi-day flying trip throughout Colorado, and various other iconic destinations across the country. During the day he works as a biologist, competes in professional swimming competitions, and enjoys spending time with his family.

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.

San Carlos Flight Center invites Dave Kramer, an experienced instrument rated pilot, and avid weather specialist to talk about how frost and icing can affect an airplane. With atmospheric moisture, comes the hazards of icing.  Other than a thunderstorm, nothing else is so detrimental to flight.  California, because of it’s warmer winters, is notorious for icing. How can we predict it and where can we find it? In this seminar, anyone will be able to gain a better understanding of how frost and ice forms, how to avoid it, and what to do if you get it.

Join Dave as he discusses these important topics from a pilot’s viewpoint.  If you are an aspiring IFR pilot or a seasoned Instrument rated pro, you won’t want to miss this seminar.

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.

As part of the regular Destination Seminar Series, San Carlos Flight Center invites Nick Williams, airplane owner and instrument rated commercial pilot, to discuss his experiences flying in the Coachella Valley. Nick will highlight the key learning moments from his hours of flying around Palm Springs, Coachella Valley, and other Southern California airports. He will also discuss the different routes to take from the Bay Area, along with other considerations such as airspace, airport operations, and activities to do in the area.

If you ever considered venturing to Southern California, the Coachella Valley awaits 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. 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.

San Carlos Flight Center invites instrument-rated, private pilot Travis Bender to provide an overview of his instrument training experience, and what to expect for any pilot interested in obtaining the rating. In this seminar, Travis will highlight the different ways he studied for the written exam and prepared for the FAA checkride. Travis will also show how he used various resources such as flight simulators, chair flying, and listening on the radio to help him excel throughout his training.

If you are interested in obtaining your instrument rating, join us for this unique opportunity to learn more about what the training entails, and how one pilot succeeded.

Travis Bender is a private pilot with an instrument rating in airplanes, and an Upwind Scholarship alumni, who learned to fly at SCFC.  An avid adventurer, he loves flying to new areas and discovering fun places to fly.  Travis currently attends the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, when he is not in the air.

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.

San Carlos Flight Center invites newly certified instrument-rated commercial pilot David Agranovich to discuss his experience training for his commercial certificate. In this seminar, David will highlight the steps he took to train and prepare for the Commercial checkride. He will review the prerequisite for the rating, the commercial maneuvers you must master, and the relevant knowledge that must be acquired. The commercial pilots license calls for extensive familiarity with all things related to flying, and it’s the applicants responsibility to ensure understanding in all areas.

For anyone looking to train towards their commercial pilot certificate, join us for this seminar to learn from a newly rated pilot and his first-hand experiences.

David Agranovich is an instrument-rated commercial pilot working on his instructor certificates. He’s normally found taking his 182 out for flights in the Sierras or running shelter dogs up the coast for Pilots and Paws. In his spare time, he works at Facebook leading their efforts to counter foreign interference in elections.

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.

Can you answer these questions? What math is done to calculate altitude in a pressure altimeter? What is the formula used by the airspeed indicator? How can understanding the pitot-static instruments from a mathematical perspective help you troubleshoot instrument failures and faulty readings? Why the heck does the magnetic compass read incorrectly in banking turns? Why doesn’t the heading indicator tumble? In this safety seminar, an experienced SCFC CFI will answer all of these questions, along with any others you may have.

It is important for every pilot to have an understanding of their flight instruments, as many pilots rely on them throughout their flights. Join us to learn, review, or polish your knowledge on this important topic.

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.

San Carlos Flight Center invites Bay Area pilot Rares Vernica to talk about how he utilizes FSS to make better preflight and inflight decisions. He will highlight a number of the new features provided by FSS including the interactive map and local area knowledge enhancements. The seminar will also include a review of the mobile interface as well as mobile options for receiving updated weather as well as opening and closing flight plans.

If you haven’t used FSS recently, join us for this seminar which will bring you up-to-date and include a number of tips and tricks to get most out of the services provided by FSS.

Rares Vernica is a certificated pilot based at Reid-Hillview airport and an avid aviation learner. He has a PhD in computer science and works in the IT industry. Rares is also a volunteer with the Santa Clara County Search and Rescue 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.

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.

Sam will review basic propeller knowledge for pilots, including design differences between the major manufacturers, fixed pitch vs. constant speed operation, realistic evaluation of propeller condition before flight, and the inherent dangers of deferring propeller (or any other aircraft) maintenance. She will discuss some of the common propeller Airworthiness Directives that are owner-operator responsibility (not just mechanics). Finally, she will explain the differences between overhaul, dynamic balancing, and other major types of propeller/governor service.  This is all supported with numerous photos and years of anecdotes (some amusing and some amazing).

Propellers are an essential part of flight, and pilots should gain a better understanding about them. If you want to gain more knowledge about what keeps you flying, we encourage all pilots to attend.

Samantha Bloodhart moved to the Bay Area in 1994 from Ohio to open Sullivan Propeller Specialists with her partner Brian Sullivan. Sullivan Propeller has been in business in Hayward since we opened, now 23 years. She is a licensed FAA Repairman. Currently she is the voice of Sullivan Propeller – handling most of the administrative tasks as well as front-line on customer service. Samantha is also the primary administrator for our Repair Station and handles all the FAA requirements/compliance issues as such. Bloodhart founded Sullivan Propeller in 1994, along with Brian Sullivan.

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.

In this seminar, join us as San Carlos Flight Center invites AGI Michel Vidal-Naquet as he gives a high level overview of the different fuels used in aviation: how fuel is produced from crude oil, what are the chemical differences between the grades of Avgas and Jet-fuel, and what is the chemistry of combustion and its relation to aircraft engine design. We will also address other issues such as the use of lead and discuss some misfueling accidents.

The seminar will lead to a deeper understanding of aviation fuel characteristics, and raise awareness about the critical importance of the fuel pre-flight check.

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.