KSQL Tower Staffing Challenges

Recently, the FAA awarded the tower management contract for San Carlos Airport and a handful of other contract airports in California to a new outsource company, RVA. The new company has made some questionable staffing decisions and as a result tower services at San Carlos Airport are at risk of disappearing. The situation is very much in flux, but fortunately there is recent awareness of the importance of adequate tower staffing and a long-term solution may be coming.

SCFC extends a heartfelt thank you to both the tower control staff who keep our airport safe, and the San Mateo County Airport Management office who have been working tirelessly to help resolve this issue and keep air traffic safe.

Bay Area Tower Closures – Check NOTAMs

It is always important to check for the latest information before your flight, but now even more so. With the latest change of the contract for staffing control towers, there are several Bay Area airports that are impacted. So be sure to check for Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs)

Thankfully, KSQL still has air traffic control services. That is not the case for the following Bay Area airports. Current NOTAMs showed the following:

·        KSAC – Control Tower closed – expires February 28^th

·        KMER – Control Tower closed Saturday and Sunday – Expires March 2^nd

As always, before you fly check the latest NOTAMs.

Instrument Ground School starts Feb 24

IFR Ground School begins the last week of February at San Carlos Flight Center. Whether you have just finished your private pilot certificate and you're looking to continue training or you need a refresher, the IFR Ground School is a great way to accomplish your goals. Join CFI Herb Patten for this 12-week course which teaches the aeronautical knowledge you need for the airplane instrument rating knowledge test and for the ground portion of the practical test.

We will be using the training materials that we have developed for our instrument syllabus, so this is a great fit if you are currently or planning to do your instrument rating at San Carlos Flight Center.

Classes begin Monday, February 24th, and will occur weekly through May 12th. The classes start at 6:30pm.

Safety

Tips for Cold Weather Safety

Although the San Francisco Bay Area does not get many extremely cold days, you have probably noticed that it is definitely cooler now. Time to bring out the thicker jacket and wear gloves when preflighting. The cooler temperatures improve airplane performance, which you will notice with faster ground acceleration and a better climb rate on takeoffs. 

Colder temperatures also 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. In general, it is not 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 to verify the oil pressure gauge shows pressure within 30 seconds in the summertime but it could take approximately one minute in very cold weather. 

With colder temperatures in the morning, we occasionally experience frost on the airplane surfaces. 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 rays of 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.

Stuck Waiting for Checkride?

Are you a student pilot stuck waiting for your checkride? We know the feeling! With a shortage of examiners, bad weather, and a backlog of applicants, waiting for a checkride date can feel excruciating so close to the finish line.

However, it is important not to let your skills and knowledge lapse, so here are a few things you can do to help stay proficient. 

• Find a study buddy. Ask your CFI if they know any other students who are also waiting for a checkride. You may find it helpful to study together, and the extra person may give you extra motivation.

• Improve your skills. We can already hear you saying "duh" on this one, but hear us out. With the extra time before the test, we encourage you to train so that you can get the maneuvers right every time without getting lucky. Do this in a variety of conditions, too, so you can see what you feel comfortable with.

• Try something new. While you're staying sharp, try exploring new airports or look into a mountain checkout. These activities will expose you to new environments and give you more experience prior to earning your certificate. 

• Participate in SCFC events. SCFC's Safety Seminars are a great way to get free ground knowledge while learning something new. Our monthly FlyOutGroup trips also allow you to meet other pilots and give you a reason to fly.

While it may seem tempting, avoid neglecting flying and studying entirely. Those who do often find that as they approach their checkride date they have to cram everything into their mind, which leads to much more stress. 

SCFC Member Profile: Jad Chamoun

SCFC: Congratulations on passing the Private Pilot Checkride. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting across the finish line. How was the checkride process for you?

JC: The last few weeks before the checkride were intense, making sure everything was within ACS while refreshing my ground knowledge. The checkride itself was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking, especially after my glasses snapped in half right as I was starting the oral portion of the exam! That definitely made it a memorable moment! But I managed to put everything together and push through. It wasn’t until the DPE shook my hand as we walked back to the terminal at KPRB and congratulated me on becoming a pilot that it truly sank in—I had passed my checkride!

SCFC: With your new certificate, what destination airports are likely going to be in your future plans?

JC: Lunch in Half Moon Bay is definitely on the agenda in the next few weeks, but I’m also excited to take a longer flight along the California coast south of KSQL. Another flight I’d love to complete is the cross-country I originally planned for my checkride: KPRB–KCMA–KLGB.

SCFC: How did you keep your focus through all the phases of flight training?

JC: Finding the right balance between ground school and flight training with my CFI was key to staying on track. Flying with other instructors at times also provided fresh perspectives and valuable feedback on areas I needed to improve, which really helped me progress through training.

SCFC: Were there any particularly memorable moments from your working with your instructor that come easily to mind?

JC: One of the most memorable moments I have from flying with Jeremy (CFI) was working on perfecting my landings at KHAF—making sure they are nose wheel protected, parallel, and on centerline. We spent a lot of time in the pattern there, building the habit and getting everything dialed in.

Another funny memory from early in my training was repeatedly calling the pitot tube a ‘pilot tube.’ Every time I made that mistake, we’d both crack up. It became an ongoing joke throughout my training!

SCFC: Do you have friends or family who fly? With whom will you be sharing your aviation adventures?

JC: My manager at work when I lived in LA was the one who initially got me into aviation. He flew from John Wayne Airport, picked me up from Santa Monica Airport, and we flew together to Catalina Island for lunch. It was such a memorable day—one that made me realize I could be doing similar things one day! 

I’ve also made great friends along the way at the Flight Center, and I’m looking forward to flying with them and sharing new aviation adventures!

United Mx Hangar Tour Recap

A group of 16 SCFC instructors and students descended upon the United Airlines Technical Operations at SFO. The Mechanics took really good care of us for about 4-hours as they toured us up close and inside Boeing 777s and 787s that happened to be at the hangar that day and led us on an exclusive session in the “Engine Shop” where United Technicians overhaul 777 and Airbus A320 engines!

This was a very cool day and the pilots who were able to go can't stop talking about what they saw. Keep a look out for information coming for a tour of the United Airlines Flight Operations in the coming months!

FOG heads back to SoCal - Apr 11-13

Join the FlyOutGroup on April 11-13 for a very special event! For the second time in FlyOutGroup history, FOG and SCFC pilots will venture to March Air Reserve Base in Southern California to attend the SoCal Air Show. March Air Reserve Base is hosting the SoCal Airshow, featuring the US Thunderbirds, aircraft like the C-17 and F-18, and numerous military aircraft on static displays. You’ll also have a chance to visit a local airline boneyard and get up close with jumbo jets like the 747 and 757. 

Before the airshow, FOG pilots will be able to fly into San Bernardino Airport (SBD) on Friday, April 11th, where we’ll spend the night in a nearby hotel. The next day, we’ll spend all day at the airshow, where you can explore the exhibits, tour the flight line, and be amazed by the airshow in the skies above. The airshow does not require tickets to attend and is open to the public.

On Sunday, April 13th, FOG pilots may also have the optional opportunity to stop at Victorville Airport (VCV) on the return flight home. Victorville Airport is offering FOG pilots an exclusive tour of the aircraft boneyard and airliner maintenance facilities on the field. Not open to the public, this rare tour is being granted only to pilots attending this trip. 

This is a great opportunity for both private pilots and students to experience the challenges of navigating Los Angeles airspace, planning a long cross-country trip, and sharing the journey with other pilots. If you are interested in this trip and would like more details, please contact Travis Bender at travis@sancarlosflight.com as space is limited.

Estrella Air Museum and Lunch - Feb 8

Want a chance to see some of the greatest aircraft to defend our country? Come join us on our FlyOutGroup (FOG) trip to Paso Robles Municipal Airport (KPRB): home of the Estrella Warbirds Museum. This flight will happen on February 8.

At Estrella, you will find numerous historical aircraft and military equipment spanning from World War II through the end of the Cold War. Are you more of a fan of cars and automotive history? Next door you will find the Woodland Auto Display. The car museum is included in the same ticket as the aviation museum so you will have two museums for the price of one!

This is a great opportunity to see some historic vehicles and build cross country time. We will first meet for lunch at Joe’s One-Niner Diner at the airport terminal at 11:30 am. After lunch, we will taxi our planes to the other side of the airport where the museum is. The museum has space for us to park our airplanes. There will be no tie downs so make sure you bring chocks. We will be able to freely tour the museum together and you can either leave on your own time or stay until close.

Full Moon Flyers and Top Shelf Bay Tour

Join the FlyOutGroup (FOG) on Wednesday, February 12th, with a scenic trip to Watsonville (WVI) for dinner followed by an incredible overflight of the Bay Area at 10,000 feet! We’ll join for dinner, and then plan on flying a “Top Shelf” Bay Tour as we circumnavigate the Bay above the Class Bravo.

At Watsonville, you can park in transient parking, and we’ll all meet at the Beer Mule for dinner. The Beer Mule is located across the street from the aircraft terminal. This brewery serves forty craft beers for those not acting as PIC, and many food options sourced from the surrounding farms. Bites like Buffalo Style Fries and the Hot or Not Chicken Sando are some of their unique offerings. 

After dinner, pilots will depart WVI and climb above the Class Bravo for a great view of the city lights below. We plan on seeing San Francisco from 10,000 feet before descending back through Class Bravo to land at San Carlos. This is an excellent opportunity to bring a CFI along to review night procedures, as well as passengers in the backseat. 

We’re excited about the event, and look forward to seeing you in Watsonville! Please RSVP here so we can give the restaurant a heads-up of our headcount, as well as send you a briefing for the Top Shelf Bay Tour flight. Beer Mule has plenty of patio seating outside, so remember to bring a jacket to keep warm.