Bring Me Planes to Match My Members

San Carlos Flight Center has been successful in delivering on our mission - safety, community, adventure, resulting in more members joining the club, a performance increase in our maintenance team, and more flight instructors. What SCFC needs to keep all these pilots and members happy is a more airplanes.

As a flying club, SCFC members own and leaseback most of the fleet aircraft. More flight hours mean it’s easier for airplane owners to cover the high annual costs of owning the airplanes. If you are an airplane owner, or have ever considered investigating ownership, now is a great time. Flight hours are up, and we have very competent pilots to rent the planes, and dedicated mechanics to ensure the planes are maintained in top shape.

SCFC’s current membership and summer growth plans mean we could accommodate three more C172 S models, another 1 or 2 C172 G1000s, another Archer, and more C152s. If your plane isn’t getting the hours or the service quality you’d like to have, please talk to Dan or Alessandro at San Carlos Flight Center about bringing your plane to us.

Bay Tours – What to Expect During KSFO Runway Construction

San Francisco Airport has begun a major runway improvement project. Runway 1R is being repaved with the project expected to last until October 2, 2026. During that period, KSFO will be using runway 28L and 28R for both departures and landings. Normally, runways 1R and 1L are used for departures. Because all departures will now be from the 28s, the KSFO tower is not accepting surface Bravo transitions. Our normal Bayshore transition along the 101 at or below 2000 would conflict with departures.

Thankfully we have many other options for either a Bay Tour or transitioning to northwest. A great alternative is to transition overhead Oakland airport. From San Carlos, perform the Oracle departure when runway 30 is in use and fly toward the mid-span of the San Mateo Bridge. Another option is to fly out to the coast and follow the coastline. Be mindful of the Bravo airspace floors for that route. 

SCFC's New Portable Offices

San Carlos Flight Center has officially shifted operations to portable offices located at 800 Skyway Road. Two portable buildings are set up, one where our lobby and general operations are held and the other is our classroom where we'll offer seminars and ground school. 

Parking is limited near the portables and spaces fill up quickly. If there aren't any parking spaces available, park at 701 Skyway Road. Please refrain from parking in front of the old SCFC building as demolition will commence in the near future. 

For any questions regarding the portable offices, stop by or contact the front desk. 

First Seminar in the Portables

On Wednesday, May 6th at 7:00pm, San Carlos Flight Center will have its first seminar in the portable offices located at 800 Skyway Road: Shrimp Boats and Corridor-Cakes: How Airspace Got Like This.

AGI/IGI Sal will reconstruct the National Airspace from cloud clearances in the forties to the “all-weather positive control concept“ in the fifties to today’s ADS-B requirements. Over one hundred years, personal liberty clashes with public safety and separation technology is tragically outpaced by aircraft performance.

Throughout the talk, Sal will discuss online government archives that you can use to solve your own regulation mysteries. If you have an interest in history or want to know how we got to the current airspace rules, join us for this insightful presentation.

Click here to learn more and register

Safety

Working with Oakland Tower

Of the two Class Charlie airports in the area, Oakland is by far the choice for GA pilots. Long runways, friendly controllers, and a separate tower frequency for the North runways make Oakland a great place for pattern operations or for transitioning on sightseeing tours.

All SCFC pilots (using Bay Flight callsigns) should know procedures and customs to keep radio frequencies clean. Here are some things to refresh you on.

Pilot should not contact OAK Tower directly, instead they should contact ATC in an outer area (NorCal) or an adjacent Delta airspace (San Carlos, Hayward) about 20 miles out to confirm ATIS, receive a transponder squawk code, and establish radar contact. After being formally entered into the system, you will be handed off and instructed when to contact the tower.

Know the local reporting points around Oakland. When establishing initial contact with NorCal to the North, you should have a chart reference and be able to visually identify Golden Gate Fields, the Bay Bridge, Cal’s Memorial Stadium, the Mormon Temple, and St Mary’s College. When transitioning, pilots should be able to find the Coliseum, Lake Chabot, Mid-Span San Mateo Bridge, and Highway 880.

The two Oakland Tower frequencies regularly hand traffic off from one area to the next, so know the two frequencies and have the pre-dialed on Standby whenever possible. OAK N Tower is 118.30, OAK S Tower is 127.20.

Finally, all pilots should know the noise sensitive areas adjacent to Oakland Airport and maintain altitudes and engine power settings to avoid unnecessarily impacting local neighbors.

Staying Safe: Aerobatics

See and avoid is the primary method used for avoiding other traffic. Despite all the advanced technology that exists today providing traffic awareness, we are still expected to use visual contact to avoid traffic. Tools like ForeFlight with ADSB-In and traffic displays on panel mounted avionics equipment are great for situational awareness.

Spotting and avoiding airplanes performing aerobatics can be especially challenging because of the nature of their maneuvering. There will be a delay between what is shown on traffic display units and the actual aerobatic airplanes altitude due to the rapid altitude changes during maneuvers.

While not required, NOTAMs can provide awareness where aerobatic activity may be occurring. ForeFlight can depict these graphically if you turn on the NOTAMs layer or check one of many other sources. It is common to see aerobatic activity northeast of Byron (C83) just past Clifton Court Forebay.

In particular, be aware of the upcoming Aerobatic Contest at Tracy (KTCY). The event begins May 13th and continues until May 16th. Aerobatic activity will be constant in the area immediately east of the airport and in areas south and southeast of the airport from the surface to 5,500ft from 7am to sundown each day during this time.

Handling Spring Crosswinds

We’re already halfway through springs and the springs winds have proven exciting as usual. If you’re taking off or landing, be sure you’re using crosswind correction to keep the plane parallel with the runway and over the centerline.

To determine the crosswind component of the wind, use the Rule of Sixths. If the wind is only 10° off the runway, the crosswind component is only 1/6 of the total wind. As the angle to the runway varies, the amount of crosswind component goes up - another 1/6 of total for each additional 10°. Practice dividing the total wind by 6 every time you hear an ATIS update. Example: "Wind 340 at 9kts” means 1/6 of the total wind is 1½ kts. Because the wind is 40° off Runway 30, crosswind is 4 of those, or 6kts.

Proper crosswind technique (rudder to stay parallel, bank to hold centerline) will work regardless of whether you have the exact crosswind number in your mind. And remember, when the wind is really strong, if you are not able to make the plane parallel using rudders, you should divert to another airport.

SCFC Member Profile: Stuart Hoover

SCFC: What inspired you to start flight training and how did you choose San Carlos Flight Center?

SH: I come from a family of flying, being now a third generation pilot, flying is all I’ve wanted to do. Choosing the flight center was easy as I was already working at the airport and knew the flight center was the best school on the field to help me achieve my aviation goals.

SCFC: Congratulations on passing your Instrument checkride! What advice would you give to another student working on their instrument rating?

SH: The most valuable and fun instrument training I received was doing approaches in actual IFR conditions with my instructor. Especially early on, this makes the practice of tracking an approach course and nailing step down altitudes very real very quick, and I recommend it to all IFR students. A foggy day at KHAF this summer is the perfect training opportunity!

SCFC: What has been your most memorable flight so far, and why?

SH: As a fresh private pilot, being able to take my Dad up as my first passenger after he had flown me to so many air shows, fly-ins, and quick aerobatic flights over the years was the most rewarding feeling and a full circle moment.

SCFC: How has working at the San Carlos Airport been insightful for training? 

SH: Working at Rabbit fuel for the past 7 years has provided me with countless opportunities and connections. From meeting my first instructor who walked me into the flight center to set up my account, to the experience of right seating on PC12 flights and seeing the charter world up close, I can never imagine not working around airplanes. 

SCFC: What are some of your long-term goals in aviation? Any specific adventures you're looking forward to?

SH: Aviation is both a hobby and career path for me, all I can ask for and work towards in the future is getting paid to do what I love everyday! In the immediate future I am setting up to fly a C182 out to Airventure at Oshkosh this summer. I have flown once before and been twice in total but it is an event that is hard not to be at!

Full Moon Flyers: Nut Tree (KVCB)

This month, join Full Moon Flyers in Vacaville on a flight to Nut Tree Airport on May 1st. At just over 50 NM, Nut Tree makes for an easy cross country destination. This is a great opportunity for students or pilots looking to gain valuable night experience. The airport is lit at night and you can follow the well lit I-80 back towards Oakland for an easy flight back.

Once you land in KVCB, secure your aircraft on the transient parking ramp. The walk is about 5-10 minutes to the Nut Tree Plaza where there will be a variety of restaurants to choose from. Attendees will meet at a restaurant by 7PM. Make sure to RSVP below so that our organizers have an accurate headcount.

Click here to learn more and register

4-Day Monument Valley and the American Southwest

Experience the ultimate adventure with the FlyOutGroup's tour of the Southwest. This 4-day trip from Thursday, May 28th to Sunday, May 31st will feature flying to the best of the Southwest United States, posing unique challenges with stunning awards.

Start with a delicious lunch at Catalina Island (AVX), followed by a breathtaking approach into San Diego Lindbergh Field (SAN), a large yet accommodating Class Bravo Airport. After landing, go where you desire whether that’s exploring the San Diego Skyline, visiting the gorgeous and vibrant Balboa Park, or stepping onto the USS Midway. Take in the sights on the way to lunch at Sedona Arizona (SEZ) where you will be greeted by the vast amount of large red rocks unique to this area. Finish your day by heading to the stunning Meteor Crater and spend the night at a private airport in Monument Valley, where you’ll experience unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape. Starting with a tour of a Meteor Crater followed by a breathtaking visit to the Grand Canyon. After sightseeing, land at Harry Reid Las Vegas International Airport (LAS), making for two Class Bravo Airports. End your night with some fun in the vibrant culture of Las Vegas.

On Day 4, we’ll make our way back home via Bishop and Mammoth, posing the unique challenge of mountain flying with gorgeous views of the surrounding Sierras.

Fly in comfort in any of our Cessna 172s, 182s, or the 206. If low wing is your ride, use the trip to get experience to count toward a checkout in the Piper Dakota with one of our experienced instructors. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore the beauty of the Southwest from a unique and exciting perspective.

Click here to learn more and register