**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.

Santa Maria, the gateway to Southern California, and the beautiful Santa Ynez valley is a great destination airport for many reasons. From the beautiful wineries, to the blissful beaches and tasty BBQ joints; this is a pilot’s dream.

Santa Maria is a short flight from the Bay Area and a perfect destination for either students trying to log their long cross country time, or pilots seeking a great weekend getaway. Where else can you request to taxi directly to your hotel? Or walk from the airport to the beach? Dan Dyer, Chief Pilot at San Carlos Flight Center will reveal the plethora of opportunities, adventures, and points of interests in and around Santa Maria. Dan will review suggested routes of flight, highlight local operations at KSMX, and provide tips on how to efficiently and safely operate at this airport.

If you are interested in joining the FOG trip to Santa Maria on March 27th or you are just interested in a new destination, plan on attending this seminar.

Dan Dyer is a flight instructor and Chief Pilot of San Carlos Flight Center. He has been instructing for 15 years, has 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]

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation thought 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.

**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.

Planning for a long cross-country flight involves a lot of thinking ahead. There’s weather analysis, route selection, and planning for alternatives. There’s also the need to estimate flight time and fuel burn to meet FAA regulations for minimum onboard fuel. Seems easy right?

The only way to determine the amount of fuel you’ll need, is if you’ve already solved a host of other calculations. To be accurate, you’ll need to know ground distance, forecast winds, and aircraft performance information. You’ll also need to make some choices about altitude and route. Most pilots complete these series of calculations using grid sheets to guide their calculations, with cryptic columns label such as TH, DEV, CH, and ETE. At San Carlos Flight Center, we use a Cross-Country Flight Log sheet that makes it easy to understand the sources of information and the flow of calculations.

In this Ground School Refresher seminar, Flight Instructors Herb Patten and Dan Dyer will walk students through the variety of calculations need for each leg of flight that lead up to the final Fuel Needed number. If you are a new flight student confused about cross-country flight calculations or just need a refresher, please tune in.

Herb Patten is the Assistant 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 over 1,500 hours and flown 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 a flight instructor and Chief Pilot of San Carlos Flight Center. He has been instructing for 15 years, has 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]

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation thought 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.

SEMINAR POSTPONED – WILL OCCUR ON WEDENSDAY APRIL 1ST @ 7PM

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation thought 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.

It’s 2020. There are all manner of useful devices for working on cars and airplanes. But pilots and mechanics should know the hidden dangers.

Aviation fuels, lubricants, and cleaners are combustible and can build up fumes in enclosed spaces. Pilots and mechanics working on aircraft should know the hazards that electric tools can pose in a fume-filled environment.

SCFC has invited Chuck Jones, FAASTeam Program Manager for airworthiness from the San Jose FSDO to cover this topic. Chuck flew with the sheriff’s department in Florida before moving to Michigan and eventually California. He has owned a couple of helicopters and 2 1/2 airplanes. He started in aviation early, both as a pilot and a mechanic in Mesa AZ, at a Falcon Field FBO owned by his family. He was a crew chief in the Marine Corps and had a variety of jobs in the airlines.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn about the most effective tools for airplane repairs that have the least risk of ruining your airplane.

Chuck Jones is the FAASTeam Program Manager for airworthiness from the San Jose FSDO to cover this topic. Chuck flew with the sheriff’s department in Florida before moving to Michigan and eventually California. He has owned a couple of helicopters and 2 1/2 airplanes. He started in aviation early, both as a pilot and a mechanic in Mesa AZ, at a Falcon Field FBO owned by his family. He was a crew chief in the Marine Corps and had a variety of jobs in the airlines.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation thought 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.

Flying along, you might think it’s a beautiful crisp winter day until suddenly you take a peek at the beautiful scenery below and see frost on your wingtip. What are you going to do next? Do you know all the hazards of frost and icing?

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 for 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 is an instrument rated, tailwheel and high performance endorsed private pilot as well as a basic and instrument ground instructor with an interest in weather. He has been flying since 2012, has over 900 hours of which over 300 have been in the IFR system. He also enjoys flying at night as well as 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 thought 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.

Most people are used to the idea of school-based flight simulators in flight training, especially for an instrument rating. But there are many great reasons to take advantage of home-based flight simulators to build confidence and enhance your training. Flight simulators are easy to use, extremely helpful, and can cater to any situation.

SCFC invites Brandan Dadoun a Student Pilot, and John Lindstrom a Private Pilot, who both have actively used flight simulators throughout their flying careers, to share how it’s benefited them in becoming better pilots. In this seminar, we will cover the vast amount of flight simulation applications that you can use at home; how to set it up; and how to get the most out of it. Flight simulation has been around for a long time and has proved extremely helpful for many aspiring to become a better pilot. Along with flight simulation being an excellent procedural trainer, pilots can also practice their radio skills by talking with real Air Traffic Controllers. The possibilities are endless.

If you want to become a better pilot, gain confidence, and discover many new things that you might have never known; you do not want to miss this seminar.

Brandan Dadoun is a Student Pilot and SCFC’s Seminar Coordinator, Brandan has completed the majority of his flight training at SCFC; with over 70 flight hours. He is an advocate for getting youth involved in aviation, and is actively involved in many aviation programs. He is an active volunteer at the Hiller Aviation Museum, and previously an active volunteer in the local EAA chapter. He is excited to teach people who are ready to learn.

John Lindstorm is a Private Pilot with over 150 hours, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. John Lindstrom began working in California in software development since the early 1990s. Growing up in a Navy family, he ran into quite a few pilots and realized that, without exception, they were all simply put, “cool”. Before taking his discovery flight, he would look upwards on clear days and just enjoy the scenery, but since that day, he couldn’t help but to be in the sky too.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation thought 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.

ach year, EAA holds the world’s most renowned airshow in Oshkosh. This event boasts thousands of unique aircraft, presenters, and new learning experiences. Ambitious pilots may consider flying themselves to the show. If it’s your first time, you may wonder what does it take to create a flight plan across the country, to fly one of the most challenging arrival procedures, and most importantly to land safely?

San Carlos Flight Center invites Oliver Coolidge, an experienced Oshkosh Pilot and CFI, to talk to our local pilots about how to fly safely and efficiently into the “world’s busiest airport”. For one week each summer, EAA members and aviation enthusiasts totaling more than 500,000 from more than 60 countries attend EAA AirVenture at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they rekindle friendships and celebrate the past, present and future in the world of flight. “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration ” has it all when it comes to aircraft, you certainly won’t want to miss out. For many, arriving at Oshkosh is a rite of passage that can only be satisfied by being one of the more than 10,000 aircraft flying in, landing at what becomes the busiest airport in the world. It can be a challenging experience, but after attending this seminar, we are sure that you will feel more confident in your flying abilities.

Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or an aviation novice, AirVenture has something for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about this event, and more importantly learn how you can safely and efficiently plan flight across the country, and arrive at Oshkosh. Experience AirVenture with us. Your spot along the flightline is waiting for you.

Oliver Coolidge is the president of EAA Chapter 20. He started flying in 1969 and is a retired FedEx captain with over 14,000 hours of flying. He owns a vintage 1954 Cessna 195 and has a new project with a 1971 Beechcraft Bonanza G33 “straight tail”. He also is involved with the Flying 12 Club which is building a Van’s RV-12. Chapter 20 was recently the recipient of an EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship which has awarded a $10,000 flying scholarship to a local young aviator.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation thought safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2018 as the best flight school in the West.

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. Contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access.

If disaster strikes, you might be forced to land the airplane in the middle of nowhere. What happens next? You try to call for help, but nothing shows up. It’s getting cold outside as night falls, how can we take advantage of the remaining pieces of my damaged aircraft beside me? Taking apart your Cessna 172 may sound insane, but it could save your life.

San Carlos Flight Center invites Michael Dutton a Private Pilot and survival expert on how to handle an emergency landing, and how to deal with the NTSB afterwards. However, what about the step in between? Let’s say you’ve made it through the crash safely, but now you have to survive long enough for rescuers to find you. A packed survival kit will vastly improve your chances, but there is another great resource available to all pilots: the aircraft itself. From the avionics on board to the structural components themselves, the plane you flew in on can be lifesaving.

This is open to all pilots who are wanting a more unique take on survival operations, and how to take advantage of everything you have. If you want to stay safe on all your future trips, you won’t want to miss this seminar.

Michael Dutton is a Private Pilot, rated in both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft, with over two hundred hours. He is also an Eagle Scout from Troop 132 and has spent years as a first aid and survival instructor. When he isn’t flying or working, he still goes camping with his friends from his old Troop.

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation thought safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2018 as the best flight school in the West.

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. Contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access

Most of us have only been on cross-country flights closer than 300 miles away from our home airport. Only a few of us venture to fly even longer distances. Flying gives us the freedom to go anywhere when we deem its safe, and for one pilot he chose to make the stretch across America.

Dave Kramer, a commercial pilot, gained significant experience from his 32 day, solo trip across America. Throughout his flight, he gained many nuggets of knowledge. In this continuation seminar, he will share some of his key learnings that you can use to improve the safety of your flights. Cross-country planning for a single flight is challenging but imagine the undertaking for planning an actual “cross-country” flight. The constantly changing weather patterns over America, small airports, unexpected delays, and other challenges is what you could expect on a cross-country trip across the country. Join us to hear about his flight back from Key West to California, along with many challenges he faced.

You surely won’t want to miss this seminar if you are planning to go on a long cross-country trip, improve your flight planning, or you just want to learn more about the adventures of a fellow pilot.

Dave Kramer MD, an ophthalmologist for over 30 years, is an instrument rated, tailwheel, complex and high performance endorsed commercial SEL 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 thought safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2018 as the best flight school in the West.

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. Contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access.

As pilots, we love altitude. So much that we’ve created a bunch of different kinds of altitude: true altitude, absolute altitude, indicated altitude, assigned altitude, and two kinds of confusing ones – pressure altitude and density altitude. For many pilots, this can lead to a mental overload. Many pilots don’t have a working understanding of pressure and density altitude. Are they even real altitudes at all?

In this seminar, SCFC CFI’s introduce and explain the terms “pressure altitude” and “density altitude” and demystifies their meaning. Although the word “altitude” is used, these are clearly not measures of altitude. In fact, they are measures of atmospheric pressure and density just converted into units that pilots can understand. Confusing at first, yes, but once understood they serve a valuable purpose in determining aircraft performance.

Although few things are as important to a pilot as knowing the performance capability of the aircraft before taking to the skies, measuring the critical factor – atmospheric density – is not something that pilots can do directly. Instead we use rules of thumb, conversion factors, and our best understanding of how elevation, pressure, temperature, and humidity are interrelated. If you’ve ever opened your aircraft POH to the performance section and felt humbled, this seminar is for you.

Dan Dyer is a flight instructor and Chief Pilot of San Carlos Flight Center. He has been instructing for 15 years, has 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]

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation thought safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2018 as the best flight school in the West.

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. Contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access.