Challenges Flying to Oshkosh
This seminar will be held in-person at SCFC, attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition.
Interested in more seminars related to long cross-country trips and flight planning? Check out our series of flight planning presentations available in our Members Only Seminar Library. Click here for an example.
| Each 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 it takes 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, and Private Pilot Obed Han to talk 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.
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| Oliver Coolidge 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 has built their own 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. Obed Han is a Private Pilot. He is an EAA James Ray Scholarship recipient and continues to advance in his training because of it. He is also involved within numerous aviation programs, including co-founding the local EAA Chapter’s Young Aviators program, participating in the RV-12 build, and volunteering as a mentor for VATSIM, virtually controlling airplanes across the Bay Area and training other ATC candidates.
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 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third 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. |
Ground School Refresher Flight Instruments
This seminar will be available for online viewing.
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Are you interested in learning more about ground school-related topics? Check out our entire series of ground school refresher seminars available in our Members Only Seminar Library. Click here to view.
| When pilots first start flying, they learn enough of the basic flight instruments to read and interpret them in flight. You have learned a bit more, but it may have been a while. In this Ground School Refresher, we’ll take a new and fresh look at the fundamental flight instruments, pushing maybe a little deeper than you did as a student. Join us for a review and maybe even to learn something new. When pilots first start flying, they learn enough of the basic flight instruments to read and interpret them in flight. You have learned a bit more, but it may have been a while. In this Ground School Refresher, we’ll review the fundamental flight instruments, pushing maybe a little deeper than you did as a student. Join us to learn, review, or polish your knowledge on this important topic. 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.
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| Sid Basu is a CFII, and MEI with his Commercial ASEL, AMEL and instrument rating with over 2000 hours total time and over 1500 hours of dual given. He has been flying since 2008 and has been instructing at San Carlos Flight Center since 2017.
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| 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 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row. 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 library of over 500 recorded safety seminars. |
Reflections on the Pilot in Command Role in General Aviation
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
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Interested in learning more about regulations surroundings pilots? Check out similar seminars available to view in our Members Only Seminar Library by clicking here.
| Most pilots first hear the term “Pilot in Command” (PIC) during flight training. You may have learned the textbook definition, but do you really understand how to act as PIC? It comes with a great deal of responsibility. Do you know how to handle difficult situations where it requires you to assert your authority as PIC? San Carlos Flight Center invites Captain Brian Schiff, an experienced ATP and CFI to provide valuable insights into the responsibilities of being a PIC. With years of experience flying as a Captain in professional flying environments, he’s developed a better understanding of what a true PIC should embody. In this seminar he will discuss the regulations that govern PIC authority, the importance of aeronautical decision making, and setting a good example for others. Being a PIC is a significant responsibility that requires both technical knowledge and good judgment. Brian’s experiences will shed light on the many aspects of this role and help pilots better understand their responsibilities when flying general aviation aircraft. Join us for this unique opportunity to learn more about the responsibilities of a PIC and incorporate these practices into your daily flying.
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| Captain Brian Schiff is an ATP and CFI. Schiff is a highly-experienced pilot who is type-rated on a variety of aircraft, including Airbus A320, Boeing 727, 757, 767, DC-9 (MD-80), CL-65, LR-JET, and G-V. He has a strong background in general aviation and holds several flight instructor ratings, as well as being a former FAA Pilot Examiner. Schiff is an accomplished educator, known for simplifying complex procedures and concepts for his students. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Masters of Science Degree in Aviation Safety from the University of Central Missouri. Schiff is a regular presenter, an FAASTeam Representative, NAFI Board Member, has been published in many aviation publications.
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| 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 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row. 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 library of over 500 recorded safety seminars. |
In-Person Workshop – Under the Cowling: A Look at a Cessna 172 Engine
| This is a non-live-streamed, in-person workshop at San Carlos Flight Center. Registration is required. To register, create a free flight center account by clicking here, return back to this page, scroll down and click “sign up”. We welcome anyone to attend this unique look into an aircraft.
As a pilot you learn about airplane engines and systems from the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. That information is supplemented by details from your specific Airplane Flight Manual. So what more do you need to know? You crank the starter and everything works. But how does it work and how do the various systems such as the fuel, induction, and ignition work together to keep the engine flying? Ever wonder how the fuel flows from the tank to the cylinders? Or what happens when the air intake filter becomes blocked? Or what are the purposes of those tubes coming out of the bottom of the engine? Are you ready to take your airplane systems knowledge to the next step? San Carlos Flight Center invites A&P Charles Rudolf for a unique perspective on airplane engines and systems. In this in-person seminar, you will learn the details of the fuel, ignition, induction and more. This in-person seminar will be conducted using a Cessna 172 with the engine cowling removed so you can get an up-close appreciation of the components of a typical, small single engine airplane. Space is limited so don’t delay in signing up for this unique experience. You will walk away with a new depth of knowledge that most pilots don’t have. | |||
| Charles Rudolf is an A&P Mechanic at SCFC. Charles has been an active A&P for over 2 years and enjoys working on general aviation aircraft. He enjoys teaching others and is looking forward to speaking with the greater pilot community.
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 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row. 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 library of over 500 recorded safety seminars. |
IFR and G1000
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
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Interested in learning more about instrument flight? Check out our Members Only Seminar Library for many IFR-related seminars such as instrument currency, approach plates, departure procedures, and other complex IFR subjects. Click here to watch.
| The G1000 offers a plethora of features that are used by both VFR and IFR pilots. All pilots should have a basic level of competence in operation of their G1000 equipped airplane, but it is even more relevant for IFR pilots because of the intricacies of the G1000 and the impacts of failures under IFR. San Carlos Flight Center invites Brian Eliot, Assistant Chief Pilot, to discuss the most efficient use of the interface. This will improve pilot awareness of the various G1000 modes and understanding of incipient system failures. During this seminar Brian will cover the fundamentals of IFR flight using the G1000 interface, explain how to efficiently use the G1000 for instrument flight, and how to handle failures. Join us if you are an aspiring IFR pilot and want to know how the G1000 will be a useful aid in your training, or if you are a seasoned IFR pilot looking for a refresher on the G1000 interface.
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| 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.
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| 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 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row. 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 library of over 500 recorded safety seminars. |
Navigating Brain Biases and Mastering Decision-Making
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing
Interested in learning more about the potential hazards different flight conditions have on our decision-making? Check out a related seminar covering the effects of High Altitude Flight on decision-making. This seminar is available to view for Members in our Seminar Library by clicking here.
| Flying involves making a continuous series of decisions. Human decision making has a number of known pitfalls and error laden tendencies that can be a hazard in flight. As pilots, we can improve our decision-making by understanding the brain’s decision-making process and recognizing biases that may affect our choices. San Carlos Flight Center invites ATP and CFI Gerry Binnema to cover a basic model of decision making, and discuss the six brain biases that can lead us to make risky decisions. In this seminar, learn a new approach to decision-making by understanding our brains behavior and its influence both in and out of the flight deck. By recognizing these biases and utilizing a new approach to decision-making, pilots can effectively manage risk and avoid dangerous situations. We encourage all pilots to tune into this seminar to gain valuable insights into the workings of the brain and its surprising relationship to our everyday flying.
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| Gerry Binnema is an ATP and CFI, a former aircraft accident investigator, safety officer, and aviation safety consultant with a passion to help people fly safe.
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| 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 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row. 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 library of over 500 recorded safety seminars. |
Risky Weather
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing
Interested in learning more about decision-making and risk management? Watch a similar seminar, “VFR into IMC: Trapped by the Weather or Trapped by Ourselves?” available to view to Web Members on our Seminar Library. Click here to watch.
| Risk is present everywhere. Managing risk is a topic deeply ingrained into our aviation safety culture. Pilots are responsible for identifying risks associated with each flight and take appropriate action to avoid them. While this process may sound easy, it can be a real challenge in the constantly changing environment we operate in. San Carlos Flight Center invites ATP and CFI Preston Harrison to share more on understanding key elements of risk mitigation both before and in-flight. While some hazards are easy to identify, others can be more challenging to pinpoint. In this seminar, he will share his experience dealing with an inadvertent icing encounter and the unpredictability of weather. Even with thorough briefings and risk assessment, he was missing the greater picture. Join us to unravel what common risk assesment tools do not tell you. Sometimes, when there is a doubt, the best thing to do is cancel the flight. By anticipating and making sensible decisions about risk, pilots can prevent dangerous situations and fly safely. Join us to hear about this unique situation and make better decisions about your flying.
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| Preston Harrison is the current Multi Engine Flight Standards Instructor at ATP Flight School located at Ellington Field (KEFD) in Houston, TX. He is a Gold Seal CFI, CFII and MEI as well as a FAA Instrument Ground Instructor. In 2023, he was named a Distinguished Flight Instructor by AOPA. Preston’s aviation career began in Lake Charles, LA where he earned his Private Rating in 2013. He continued his training in Austin, TX in 2020, where he earned all his additional pilot and flight instructor ratings. He has since instructed at multiple airports all over Texas and now spends most of his time doing advanced multi engine training such as complex endorsements, commercial and private add-on’s, CFII and MEI training out of his home airport in Houston.
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 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row. 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 library of over 500 recorded safety seminars. |
In-Person Seminars Begin – Private Pilot Jeopardy
| Starting with this presentation, most of our seminars will be held at SCFC’s office. In-person attendance is free and open to all. Web Members will still be able to access our seminars online, both live and recorded. Click here to learn more about the transition. Do you remember everything from your private pilot checkride? Being safe means keeping all that knowledge current and finding a fun way to test yourself. The San Carlos Flight Center has just the answer for you! Calling all pilots to play Private Pilot Jeopardy! Put yourself to the test against other pilots to win the title of Private Pilot Jeopardy Champion. You are surely up for a challenge with our facilitators Chief Pilot Herb Patten, and SCFC Founder Dan Dyer. In this game show-styled safety seminar, you will be quizzed on Federal Aviation Regulations, cockpit resource management, weather safety, aeronautical principles, situational awareness, and much more. Come to this seminar prepared with all the knowledge you brought to your private pilot checkride. All information that a VFR private pilot should know is fair game. May the best pilot win!
Herb Patten is the 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 flown over 2,500 hours in more than 130 different California airports. He 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. Dan Dyer is the founder of the San Carlos Flight Center, and has built the motto of Safety, Community, and Adventure for over 8 years. Dan was an instructor for 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 dan@sancarlosflight.com
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 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third 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. |
A Comprehensive Look into the 100hr Inspection
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing
Interested in learning more from a mechanics perspective? Watch our growing library of mechanically orientated presentations such as Pre-Flight Tips from a Mechanic, What is a 50hr Inspection? and Preventative Maintenance. All of these seminars are available to view in our Members Only Seminar Library available by clicking here.
| Many airplanes get inspected every 100 hours, but do you know what the 100-hour inspection entails? Do you know what issues are commonly found during 100 hour inspections? Or do you know what the mechanics are inspecting or looking for throughout this process? If not, you will want to attend this seminar. San Carlos Flight Center invites A&P Charles Rudolf to give an overview of what problems are typically found during the 100 hour and how to spread more awareness to pilots. In this seminar he will detail the tasks that are performed in a typical 100-hour inspection, provide an overview of how to handle discrepancies, and highlight the common issues that are associated with 100hr inspections. Charles will also relay how pilots can commonly cause wear and tear risking the potential for even further damage on the aircraft. By using real-life examples and pictures, pilots can be more aware of the most frequent issues present during inspections.
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| Charles Rudolf is an A&P Mechanic at SCFC. Charles has been an active A&P for over 2 years and enjoys working on general aviation aircraft. He enjoys teaching others and is looking forward to speaking with the greater pilot community.
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| 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 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row. 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 library of over 500 recorded safety seminars. |
Ground School Refresher: VFR Charts
This seminar will only be available for online viewing.
Click here to learn more about online viewing
Interested in learning more about ground-school-related topics? Check out our Ground School Refresher series which covers a wide variety of different topics available in our Members Only Seminar Library. For an example, click here.
| VFR charts pack an extraordinary amount of material and represent a 3-dimensional world of terrain and airspaces in 2 dimensions. With such a wealth of information, do you really know how to read them? For example, do you know how to identify where certain VFR reporting waypoints are on a chart? Or can you determine if the airport you are landing at has an operating beacon, pilot controlled lighting, or lighting at all? San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Edward Abraham to give pilots a refresher on VFR charts. He will entertain you while educating you about common as well as uncommon VFR charts symbology. In this seminar expect a thorough investigation of these charts, the related symbology, and interesting facts that you could use to impress your friends. Throughout the presentation, Edward will provide many real-life examples and allow the audience to follow-along looking at charts on their own. While you may know the basics, there is always something new or some little nuance that we didn’t realize. All pilots can benefit from a refresher on VFR charts, so join us to refresh your memory and learn more.
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| Edward Abraham is a CFI at San Carlos Flight Center. A Bay Area native and aviation enthusiast, his passion took flight after graduating from San Jose State University with a degree in business management and a minor in aviation. After graduating, he worked as a Customer Service Supervisor for United Airlines while simultaneously building hours and working towards his advanced ratings at the San Carlos Airport. Edward is excited to be a flight instructor for the San Carlos Flight Center and looks forward to teaching the next generation of pilots.
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| 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 2023 as a Distinguished Flight School for the third year in a row. 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 library of over 500 recorded safety seminars. |