Topic: Do you know how all of your flight instruments operate? Join us for this in-depth review.
On Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 19:00 Pacific Standard Time (20:00 MST, 21:00 CST, 22:00 EST, 17:00 HST, 18:00 AKST, 20:00 Arizona, 03:00 GMT)

Select Number:
WP15103267

Description:
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.

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.

Presented to you by a knowledgeable SCFC CFI

To view further details and registration information for this webinar, click here.

Topic: How do you effectively get a weather briefing? Do you know about all the ways 1800WxBrief can help you with your flight?
On Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 12:00 Pacific Standard Time (13:00 MST, 14:00 CST, 15:00 EST, 10:00 HST, 11:00 AKST, 13:00 Arizona, 20:00 GMT)

Select Number:
WP15103266

Description:
Pilots routinely use services from ATC but we often underestimate the benefits we can obtain from another service provided by the FAA, Flight Service Station (FSS). Talking to a briefer from FSS can be invaluable in helping us understand weather, get updated information and generally help improve our decision making process. But when was the last time you used FSS and are you familiar with the number of improvements that have been made to the service they offer?

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.

To view further details and registration information for this webinar, click here.

Topic: A Personal Account of Instrument Training. Join us to learn more about what the training entails.
On Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 12:00 Pacific Standard Time (13:00 MST, 14:00 CST, 15:00 EST, 10:00 HST, 11:00 AKST, 13:00 Arizona, 20:00 GMT)

Select Number:
WP15103245

Description:
With the ability to fly through the clouds, and fly in various weather conditions; the opportunities for an instrument pilot are endless. Pilots with this qualification can fly to more places at ease, but not without training and preparation.

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. Bender will show how various resources such as flight simulators, chair flying, and listening on the radio helped him excel through 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.

To view further details and registration information for this webinar, click here.

Happy New Year! Our first online IMC club for 2021 will be at 7 pm this coming Wednesday, January 6. Our special topic will be ‘All About NOTAMs’ and there will be a winter weather ‘What Would You Do?’ scenario of interest to both VFR and IFR pilots.

FAA Wings credit is available by registering here.

To join the Zoom Meeting, click here at 19:00 Wednesday.

Safe flying in 2021!

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Topic: Want to learn more about your propeller from propeller specialists? Join us for this seminar.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 19:00 Pacific Standard Time (20:00 MST, 21:00 CST, 22:00 EST, 17:00 HST, 18:00 AKST, 20:00 Arizona, 03:00 GMT)

Select Number:
WP15103191

Description:
Is this tiny nick on the propeller an airworthiness item? How perfect does the paint need to be to keep the propeller balanced? If my propeller isn’t completely broken, do I still need to send it to the shop? San Carlos Flight Center has invited Samantha Bloodhart of Sullivan Propellers for an enlightening and educational presentation to promote awareness of safety related propeller and propeller governor issues.

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.

To view further details and registration information for this webinar, click here.

Topic: Join the local San Carlos IMC Club to keep your IFR skills sharp.
On Monday, January 11, 2021 at 19:00 Pacific Standard Time (20:00 MST, 21:00 CST, 22:00 EST, 17:00 HST, 18:00 AKST, 20:00 Arizona, 03:00 GMT)

Select Number:
WP15103185

Description:
IMC Club is a national organization meets monthly in the form of local chapters with the objective to promote instrument flying, proficiency, and safety. Pilots of all experience levels join to review actual IFR flying scenarios, review knowledge, and foster general discussion.

To view further details and registration information for this webinar, click here.

Topic: Do you know the chemistry of aviation fuel? Join us to find out more about the fuel that feeds your engine.
On Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 12:00 Pacific Standard Time (13:00 MST, 14:00 CST, 15:00 EST, 10:00 HST, 11:00 AKST, 13:00 Arizona, 20:00 GMT)

Select Number:
WP15103178

Description:
One of the first tasks a student pilot learns is to make sure during the preflight check that the proper fuel is loaded into the airplane. This is a critical step since having the wrong fuel onboard leads to engine malfunction and failure. Sadly, misfueling accidents continue to occur on a regular basis. But what is it that differentiates aviation fuels and why is it critical to have the proper fuel for the airplane?

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.

To view further details and registration information for this webinar, click here.

Topic: ForeFlight is a great resource for many pilots, especially while flying IFR. Join us to figure out how.
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 19:00 Pacific Standard Time (20:00 MST, 21:00 CST, 22:00 EST, 17:00 HST, 18:00 AKST, 20:00 Arizona, 03:00 GMT)

Select Number:
WP15103127

Description:
ForeFlight, the iPad based electronic flight tools app, provides a lot of information for pilots to use both on the ground and in-flight. For VFR pilots that have mastered the functionality of ForeFlight relevant to VFR operations, is a different approach required?

If you are a Private Pilot beginning instrument training, you may be feeling a little lost in the fog of how to effectively use ForeFlight for your instrument training. What taps bring up the instrument approach chart? How can you use ForeFlight to plan and file an instrument flight plan? In this seminar, SCFC Chief Pilot Herb Patten will provide guidance for VFR pilots wanting to get the most out of ForeFlight, as they begin their instrument training. Tune in with your iPad at the ready so you can follow along.

Although we have many seminars devoted to ForeFlight use, this should be an interesting and new approach specifically for instrument students. Find out how to use ForeFlight to become cleared to depart and not have to go missed in your training.

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 1,500 hours 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.

To view further details and registration information for this webinar, click here.

Topic: IMC Topics Are Taken From Real Life Events and Discussed to Aid the Decision Making Process for Pilots.
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 19:00 Pacific Standard Time

Location:
online

Select Number:
WP25103108

Description:
This is an audience participation event. After a brief Audio/Video presentation we ask “What Would You Do”? Everyone is encouraged to join in the discussion. Videos depicting actual flights that encountered challenges are chosen from a library provided by EAA . Pilots of all skill levels are encouraged to attend. Click the link below for more information and to register TODAY.

To view further details and registration information for this seminar, click here.