Flying in and out of the many airports in 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
Make sure you're current to take passengers because we're flying all the aliens back the Bay Area
It's impossible to learn the answer to every situation while you are a student pilot. Most of a pilot’s learning happens after becoming a private pilot, and continues with every flight. Even after flying for so many years, pilot’s will encounter some interesting and unexpected situations that they never experienced before. With over 20 years
Aircraft manufacturers present performance data in tabular or graphical form, and attempt to indicate how the aircraft will perform in a variety of different atmospheric conditions and power settings. Usually found in Section 5 of the Pilot’s Operating Manual, these charts can be used to help pilots determine takeoff and landing distance, fuel burn, and
San Carlos Airport has very specific departure procedures to limit the noise of airplanes above residential areas. Right now, KSQL has the Bay Meadows, Woodside, and Belmont Slough departures, but at the end of the month, new noise abatement procedures will be released. Every pilot will need to immediately adopt these new guidelines. In this
NOTAMs carry information of an immediate or transitory nature that has not yet made it into an aeronautical chart. This includes airspace and controlling regulations; you are now bound to comply with the new rules, without any textual or graphical description yet appearing in a printed chart or other document. It’s critical that pilots know
Are you master of your aircraft? Do you understand the full power and capability of the systems and avionics on your aircraft? Or have you just met the minimum capability to be a Private Pilot. Challenge yourself! The Private Pilot certificate is a license to learn. Start on the path to add enough knowledge and
Flying in the San Francisco Bay area is spectacular, a real privilege for local pilots. The Pacific Ocean, a dramatic coastline, beautiful hills, and many famous landmarks. As pilots, we are afforded a rare bird's eye view that we long to share with our friends and family. So what exactly is a "Bay Tour"? And,
