SCFC Holiday Party - Dec 19 (Fri) 7:00pm

The SCFC pilot community, a tight-knit group of adventurers and achievers, are invited to celebrate our shared experiences and accomplishments. Mark your calendars for Friday, December 19th at 7:00 PM, as we host our annual Holiday Party and Member Appreciation Night!

This is an excellent opportunity for you to meet and greet fellow members, staff, and instructors. Whether you’re a seasoned pilot who’s been with the Flight Center for years or a newcomer, this event is for everyone. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the new year and strengthen the bonds within our community.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether you train at the Flight Center or fly your own plane. We’re thrilled to have you join us and learn more about how the Flight Center can be an integral part of your flying journey.

Appetizers and drinks will be provided, and you’re more than welcome to bring guests along. Embrace the festive spirit by donning your favorite holiday attire. Let’s raise a toast to the incredible flying we accomplished in 2025 and eagerly anticipate the exciting adventures that await us in 2026!

To ensure there’s enough food and drinks for everyone, please RSVP here. Your presence will make this event even more special and memorable.

Gift Certificates Make Pilot Holidays Bright

Every year, the holiday season may bring out the same question from the people in your life "What is on your wish list?" Your family and friends want to find a way to bring you a gift you'll cherish more than the "Ask me. I'm a pilot!" shirt they gave you last year. Sometimes the best gift is the simplest gift - the gift of flight time.

Now your great Aunt Sharon can go online to our website and send you holiday love in the form of a SCFC Gift Certificate, which can be used for aircraft rental time, CFI instruction time, simulators, books, shirts, or a new SCFC mousepad. The certificate can be in any amount, perfect for your 6-year old nephew's gift of $5, or your sister the Googler's gift of $1000.

Point your loved ones to sancarlosflight.com/gift-certificate for a gift they'll never forget!

SCFC Office Closure Dates for December

December begins the year-end holiday season, which means occasional office closures. Please note the days the office and maintenance department will be closed or closing early for the remainder of the year.

If you are planning to fly on a day we are closed, please make your reservation ahead of time so we can put the keys into the overnight lockbox for your flight. And a reminder to email info@sancarlosflight.com with photos of the hobbs and tach time before and after your flight. Thank you and happy holidays.

Give Back this Season with the Upwind Foundation

The goal for next year is to again award five (5) scholarships. What better way to start Upwind's next season than with a challenge! A group of anonymous donors has offered to match the first $5,000 we're able to raise from now until Giving Tuesday, December 2nd. Any donation you’re able to contribute will go twice as far, and make twice the difference in the lives of the next generation of pilots.

Many of our Upwind Scholarship recipients have gone on to a career in aviation, or have undertaken aviation-related coursework at their university. Some contribute actively to general aviation as a Private Pilot. We are proud of all of our Upwind scholarship recipients and are especially proud that all of our work is funded by aviation enthusiasts like you.

You can make online donations here or you can print the donation form here and send in your donation. Help us start out our 14th year with an updraft!

Safety

Leave Yourself Plenty of Outs

Not every day is completely free of clouds, but that doesn’t mean a VFR pilot is necessarily grounded. Safe VFR flights can occur even on days with some areas of clouds or reduced visibility. The key is proactive planning and conservative in-flight decision making.

Cloud layers at very high altitudes can be safely flown under, and localized clouds can be flown around. Flying over low clouds introduces the risk of not being able to successfully identify a good force landing area in event of engine failure.

Unlimited visibility is great, but safe VFR flight can occur in less. When flying in 15SM visibility, there is still adequate ability to see alternate airports, terrain, etc. Other aircraft is often more difficult to spot in reduced visibility, so be sure to take advantage of VFR Radar Traffic Advisories.

The key is always to make sure you maintain VFR conditions, leave yourself lots of alternatives, and exercise the PIC decision to turn back or land when conditions call for it.

Runway 12 Operations

San Carlos airport predominantly uses Runway 30, however, Runway 12 is designated as the calm wind Runway. Recently, the winds have been calm and Runway 12 has been more commonly used.

On departure from Runway 12, the voluntary noise abatement procedure advises turning to a heading of 100° once safe to do so. The crosswind turn is initiated after ½ mile beyond the Runway and within 300’ feet of the traffic pattern altitude (TPA). To avoid flying a wide pattern, that crosswind leg should be kept short.

It's common for the tower to request pilots to extend their downwind when there are several planes waiting to depart. Extending your downwind means that pilots need to be aware of SFO Bravo airspace. If your traffic pattern is kept to the normal distance from the Runway ½ to 1 mile, then you can avoid the surface Bravo airspace by not extending past Highway 92. Remember, even if told to extend downwind, this never is a clearance to enter Bravo airspace.

Sometimes Runway 12 is in use but you see a plane landing on Runway 30. In most cases, this is due to an airplane arriving under IFR. For San Carlos, the IFR approaches are aligned with Runway 30 and when the winds are calm, the IFR flight may request landing straight into Runway 30. Want to know more about IFR? Then sign up for the IFR Ground School that will begin next year here.

Power-Off Gliding Distance

FAA safety regulations become more strict as pilot privileges increase. For example, commercial pilots must carry onboard flotation gear any time they are operating for hire beyond power-off gliding distance from shore. Of course, private pilots should as well, but aren’t required to by FAA regulation.

Flight Center pilots spend most of their flying time over land, except for crossing the bay to the East and the occasional SF Bay Tour near Alcatraz. Pilots can extend “power-off gliding distance” by flying at higher altitudes and maintaining higher airspeeds. With the right route, altitude, and airspeed, you can cross from Coyote Hills to the Cement Plant and never been beyond gliding distance.

San Carlos Flight Center is putting together “Over Water” kits, members will be able to check out when they feel they need it. The kits will contain life-vests and a flare gun, that can be opened and used in the off-chance they are needed. Return the kit unopened and we’ll know you had a great flight.

Flying in Colder Temperatures

Colder temperatures mean the oil temperature after engine start will often remain below the green arc for longer than usual, which can cause concern for new pilots. It isn't necessary to wait for the oil temperature to rise into the green band before run-up or takeoff. For more details on the limits of airplane oil temperatures, you should check the Amplified Procedures section (i.e., Chapter 4) of your airplane's POH.

For the Cessna 172, the POH notes that after engine start, pressure verification could take approximately one minute in very cold weather.  It also states that takeoff can be performed when the oil temperature gauge is below the green arc after a suitable warm up period (2 to 5 minutes), assuming the engine accelerates smoothly and the oil pressure is steady.

Another consideration is the infrequent accumulation of frost on the wings. Frost is hazardous and reduces lift and has been attributed to takeoff accidents. If you encounter frost on preflight, do not try to scrape it off, as you may damage the aircraft’s surfaces. Instead, point the rudder of the aircraft into the sun, and allow the sun to melt the frost. You may also need to rotate the plane so that the leading edges of the wing are pointed into the sun to melt any frost.

Colder weather doesn’t mean flying stops. It helps airplane performance, but be mindful of the other impacts you may encounter while enjoying flying over the winter months.

SCFC Member Profile: Eric Mannarino

SCFC: What gave you the idea to start flight training in the first place?

EM: I was in Civil Air Patrol as a kid and had an opportunity to take the controls of a Piper Cherokee 6 which stuck with me. It simply took time to get to a place where I could afford to start and persist until I reached that goal.

SCFC: Congratulations on passing your Private Pilot Checkride. How do the new privileges and responsibilities feel? 

EM: It feels great! It's like a dream come true. It is wonderful now for me to be able to share this achievement with all of my close friends and family. 

SCFC: What do you remember being the most challenging part of your training?

EM: While I was training, the most challenging thing for me was finding the time to study all of the ground material. Since I was working a full time job, I found it a challenge to find the time for flight lessons.

SCFC: What tips would you give new student pilots?

EM: I would suggest that new student pilots should be patient with themselves. They should also try to understand the why of what they are doing and learning, not just how to do it.

SCFC: What great flying adventures are you planning to take in the coming years?

EM: Believe it or not I have already started the process of buying an airplane. I have many friends and family from San Diego up to Seattle and in Colorado and in Texas. As a pilot in my own plane, I plan to visit them over the next few years.

Young Aviators Workshop - Jan 3 (Sat)

On Saturday January 3rd, SCFC is hosting a one-day aviation event for high school students who are interested in finding out more about aviation. The Young Aviators Workshop (YAW) builds on a program established years ago at San Carlos Flight Center to give young people a way to get involved in aviation before they are old enough to begin flight training.

The workshop is a great way to participate in some fun and educational activities while socializing with their peers. The activities include a briefing on navigation charts used by pilots, discussions about the steps of becoming a pilot and career options, as well as a look under the cowling of an airplane to learn about aircraft engines and systems.

This is a great first step for high school students that someday plan to apply for the Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. If you are interested, sign up online here. The program begins at 9:00 am and goes until 1:00 pm. Lunch is provided.

Upwind Foundation Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026

The country's best flight training scholarship program for young pilots is beginning its 14th year of operation and applications are now available.

Each year, the pilots of San Carlos Airport come together in support of the Upwind Foundation, and their mission of providing 9-week summer flight training programs to local area high school students. Applicants are typically in their junior year of school when they apply to the Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. All interested students are encouraged to submit an application online here.

Applicants must obtain a medical certificate, complete essays and a video that conveys their interest in aviation, their ability to succeed in the program, and discuss the difference the scholarship program will make in their journey to become a pilot. For more information, go to the Upwind website, or plan to attend the Upwind Scholarship Information Session to be held on Saturday, January 17th at 3:00 PM.

Scholarship applications must be submitted by February 20th, 2026.

Alaska Airlines SFO Chief Pilot, Kim Gabrelcik, Speaks at SCFC on Dec 6

The SCFC Women in Aviation has invited Alaska Airlines SFO Base Chief Pilot, Kim Gabrelcik, to lead a talk on December 6 at 11am. This is a great opportunity to hear from a leader in commercial aviation for anyone interested in going to the airlines.

Kim will share stories of her career journey, discuss the leadership challenges and opportunities facing female aviators today, and take audience questions at the end.

All are welcome.

RSVP and Learn More

Full-Moon Flyers Hollister - Dec 4 (Thu)

Need to practice night flying, or just want to gain more experience at night? Come join us for dinner at Seabrisa’s Eatery in Hollister (CVH) on Thursday, December 4th at 7 PM. Enjoy a great meal, and get night current before taking your family on flights over the Holidays!

On the way down, soak in the gorgeous sunset over the coastal mountains before descending into Hollister Airport. Make sure to remain clear of the San Jose final approach course, and consider talking to NorCal Approach to have an extra set of eyes looking out for you. Park in transient parking, and then walk across the street to the local airport restaurant – Seabrisa’s Eatery! A local favorite for many pilots in the area, they’re known for their unique flavors and vegetables grown from many of the local farms.

After dinner, Hollister is a great place to work on night landings or fly to San Jose (SJC) to complete your night requirements there. With big runways, it’s easy to make the landings a stop-and-go, and you’ll enjoy the challenge of flying alongside jet traffic.

Everyone is welcome to join us, so RSVP here and we’ll see you at the event.