In This Issue

SCFC News

Safety

Community

Adventure
Member News
Welcome New Members

Michael Danser
David Demay
Kevin Ferrer
Daren He
Edgar Hernandez
Justin Lee
Jeremy Marin
Neil Misra
Vladyslav Stepanov
Reid Vaughan
Lukasz Weber
Zhan Zhang



Member Achievements

Michael Imison
Commercial Pilot
CFI Russell Bowerman

Mari May Baratto
Instrument Instructor
CFI Herb Patten

Katie Dill
First Solo
CFI Adam Kelly

Sid Basu
Instrument Instructor
CFI Herb Patten

Al Serrato
Instrument Rating 
CFI Russell Bowerman

Jordon Dornbos
First Solo
CFI Stephen Heesacker

Evan Reeve
First Solo
CFI Lukasz Zoromski

Ameya Raul
Private Pilot
CFI Russell Bowerman

Praveen Krishnan
Instrument Rating
CFI Reed Coté
Pop Quiz
A fun monthly
knowledge test.
Editor: Dan Dyer

1. What is the crosswind component of a wind 50° off the runway at 18 knots?
a) about 10 knots
b) about 15 knots
c) greater than 18 knots

2. If a student pilot was limited to 8 knots crosswind component and 15 knots total wind, which of the following for cause the student to cancel the flight?
a) 15 knots at 30°
b) 13 knots at 40°
c) 18 knots straight down the runway
3. What factor limits the crosswind landing abiity of most small training airpanes?
a) insufficient bank capability to hold the centerline
b) insufficient rudder capability to stay parallel
c) loss of elevator control in crosswind

(answers are at the bottom)
Upcoming SCFC Events and Safety Seminars
Upcoming 
Events & Trips
 
May FOG Challenge

Airport of the Month
The Fleet

C182 - TAA
N1483L - $238/hr
N123TZ - $228/hr
N182EE - $234/hr

C182 - Analog
N9894E - $195/hr

C172S - G1000
N63251 - $180/hr
N6198N - $180/hr
N646DW - $172/hr

C172S
N106RA - $165/hr
N236SP - $165/hr
N410BS - $165/hr
N458SP - $165/hr
N21591 - $165/hr

C172R 
N996RA - $154/hr
N2370F - $154/hr

C152
N111RK - $125/hr
N530CA - $125/hr
N5369H - $121/hr

C210
N210VV - $350/hr

Piper Archer
N6848J - $163/hr

Piper Saratoga
N349MA - $345/hr

Baron
N169SP - $350/hr

Simulators
 IFR G1000 - $75/hr
BATD GNS-430W - $40/hr
 
(member prices shown) 
Contact Us 

Front Desk
(650) 946-1700
 
Email Us 

795 Skyway Rd, Suite A
San Carlos, CA 94070 
  
Pop Quiz Answers

1. b
2. b & c
3. b
SCFC News
Headset Rentals Returning to SCFC
After a long year of limited loaner headset availability due to the pandemic, we are now in a position to rent them out to Members again! Though we are still encouraging members to bring their own, we finally have enough in the office to be able to loan out for your flight.

Rentals will be $5 for Members, which helps cover the cost of disinfecting each headset and replacing the windscreen after use. 
Safety
When the Answer Back is Silence
Last Friday some Flight Center pilots encountered the unexpected. Returning to KSQL and tuning in the ATIS they heard nothing. No recording, no sound, nothing. Initial reaction was that the ATIS was being updated, so they waited a few minutes and still no ATIS. The tower frequency was also suspiciously quiet. The usual call in and position report was made but no response. Now what? Well, it turned out San Carlos Tower was experiencing a power outage.
How does this impact the airport? The airport office does have a generator, it does not power the equipment in the Tower. With no power, ATIS won’t be available, and the controllers switch to using handheld radios. That means the controllers can hear you, but the signal from their handheld radio may not be strong enough to be heard at a distance.

What should you do? Fall back on your training. Be aware that towers can experience disruptions for several reasons. If no response from a tower, treat the airport as non-towered and make position reports as appropriate. Proceed with caution and ensure the runway is clear and safe before landing. Another option is to contact a neighboring tower such as Palo Alto, as they likely will be aware of the situation and can provide information.
Risk Management and Renters Insurance
Being a safe pilot involves learning to recognize and avoid risk. Let's take a moment to understand how we can limit the financial risk we take on as airplane renters and members of a flying club.

Aircraft owners and flying clubs like SCFC have insurance policies to cover any damage that occurs to planes in the air and on the ground. Most policies include a deductible which is passed on to the renting pilot. As a renting member, you assume the cost for anything that happens, from the first day of student training through every future flying adventure. Unexpected damage like a wingtip hit while rounding the corner of a hangar, a battery left on, or skidded tire damage could cost you up to $2,500, regardless of who is at fault.
How do you manage and avoid that risk? Even if you can pay $2,500 without blinking, you still should consider getting a Renters Insurance policy. Most policies protect you from both the cost of repairs, but also from the cost of defending yourself if a case goes to court. Peace of mind for about $150 a year. To find out more about Renters Insurance, go to AOPA.org, or talk to Zanette Aviation Insurance.
Parking for Overnight Flights
For multi-day flights, cars should not be left in the parking lot. Instead, you can park your car in the aircraft tie-down spot. Please note that while most pilots know the rules for aircraft in a ramp area, few know the rules for automobiles. Drive slowly, avoid driving over chains and tie-down ropes, yield to all aircraft, and know how to park.
Vehicles parked in tie-down areas must be parked directly over the T, and not between Ts. 

Failure to properly park your car may result in damage to your car or to neighboring aircraft. Contact the Front Desk or call the airport office for more guidance.
Community
SCFC Member Profile: Katie Dill
SCFC: Congrats on your recent solo. How did the first solo flight compare to what you were expecting?
KD: It was surprising to see how much more focused and attuned I was. I could hear, feel, and see things I hadn't before because of this new found hyper-focus. I am sure part of this was because I was alone and there was less distraction. But for the most part it was the heightened sense of responsibility. All my senses showed up for the job and I was fully there with the plane.

SCFC: People become pilots for many reasons. What drew you to flight training?
KD: My father was a pilot. Every weekend he would fly our family in his Cessna 310 from the suburbs of New York City to the Adirondacks upstate. It was such a wonderful way to see the country and I just loved the sensation of hauling butt down the runway and taking flight! From a young age, I wanted to be a pilot. It's a bummer that he isn't here now to see me fly (he died 10 years ago). I can hear him now telling me..."more right rudder!"

SCFC: Flying is a complex balance of knowledge, skill, and decision making. What training challenges have been the most rewarding to overcome?
KD: My favorite part about flying other than the view is the incredible feeling of learning! It is not often as an adult that I get to go the distance from knowing nothing about something to having enough aptitude to do it on my own. In one early lesson at Half Moon Bay working on taxiing, I must have looked like a drunk driver at the controls! It was hard to adjust my reflexes and steer with my feet. But after much practice, I got better. It is so gratifying to see the difference from where I started. The same with straight and level flight, landing, maneuvers, etc! Eventually you develop a new reflexes and a new intuition — what was once impossible becomes second nature.
SCFC: How does the process of learning to fly compare to other educational adventures you’ve been on?
KD: About 12 years ago, I got my motorcycle license. It's certainly easier than learning to fly but the coordination required and the need to reprogram your reflexes is similar. The book study portion is also WAY easier. With flying I feel like I am taking courses in Physics, Meteorology and Mechanics all at once!

SCFC: What flying destinations or trips do you most look forward to?
KD: I plan on reliving childhood flights that was so enjoyable, to take my family to Tahoe for weekend getaways. In addition, I can't wait to explore spectacular terrain like Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and Zion! See you up there :-)
Upwind Thanks the Aviation Community!
Thank you to all those that have supported the Upwind Foundation through your generous donations. We have had outstanding involvement from the aviation community and thank all those that donated items to the Upwind auction and for all of you that bid on those items. The online auction raised $18,700 which is 3% more than the previous year. The Upwind Foundation is on track to reaching our 2021 fundraising goal of $63,000.
This year the Upwind Foundation awarded four scholarships to high school juniors. What's next for these four worthy students? They are in the processing of completing the Private Pilot online ground school. Sunday, May 30th, they will attend the pre-summer "Launch" event where they will be briefed on the schedule of training for this summer. Flight training is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 7th and continue for nine-weeks. Their daily schedule begins at 9:00 am with an hour briefing, followed by a combination of flights, self-study, and a group ground school. They end their day at 5:00 pm. If you see them around the Flight Center, offer them words of encouragement!

If you have not had a chance to donate this year, you can donate online here.
SCFC Welcomes CFI Derek Vejby
Please welcome Derek Vejby to SCFC. Derek has joined the CFI team, and started last week. He is quickly coming up to speed on the SCFC syllabus as well as SQL airport operations. If you happen to see him studying in the briefing room, stop by and say hi.

Derek trained at Livermore ATP and completed his training in December of 2020. He is an instrument rated CFI and MEI. Most of his training has been in the Livermore area so he is getting exposure to SQL, PAO, HAF and HWD.
Adventure
Yellowstone and the Northwest for 2021
The flagship FlyOutGroup trip for 2021 takes pilots to Yellowstone National Park and the beautiful Pacific Northwest on July 7 - 11. Experience flying into one of the country's most pristine national parks and revel in the scenery from both the air and the ground.

Yellowstone is a great destination to safely explore in the pandemic, with plenty of space to social distance and participate in outdoor activities. 

The second half of the trip takes pilots across the Pacific Northwest to the cosmopolitan city of Seattle, where they will be able to island-hop between islands in the Puget Sound, fly around volcanoes, and view the city from above.
The trip promises to give pilots experience in making long cross-country trips, flying over mountainous terrain, high-density altitude situations, and flying over large bodies of water. Whether you are a seasoned pilot or a building time towards your next rating, this trip promises to show you the power of general aviation travel.

To register for this incredible trip, please sign-up here, or email flyoutgroup@gmail.com to secure your spot. 
May The Fourth Be With You: Skywalker Ranch Fly-By
Did you know Skywalker Ranch is located in Marin County at 5858 Lucas Valley Road? And, since we are pilots, we can fly over it. So if you want to have some fun and take a scenic flight up the coast, check out Skywalker Ranch in May.
The principal operation of the facility is as a motion picture sound mixing and recording facility, as well as serving as the corporate offices of Lucasfilm. Other Lucasfilm properties provide animation and visual effects; Skywalker handles sound, music, and allied services.

Assembled parcel by parcel since September 1978, Skywalker Ranch has cost Lucas up to US$100 million. Lucasfilm acquired 3,000 acres of adjoining land for a total of over 4,700 acres. Only 15 acres have been developed. The Ranch contains a barn with animals, vineyards, a garden with fruits and vegetables used in the on-site restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool and fitness center with racquetball courts, the man-made “Ewok Lake”, a hilltop observatory, a 300-seat theater called “The Stag” as well as theater screening rooms, and parking that is mostly concealed underground to preserve the natural landscape.

Have fun seeing the ranch from the air and may the force be with you.
One of the more remote airports in the state, Garberville Airport (O16) is known for the steep terrain on all sides of the field, making it a challenge to plan a proper descent from pattern altitude to the runway.

Pilots should plan on circling over Garberville as part of their descent, taking note of the terrain and wind conditions as they fly towards pattern altitude. Keeping the pattern tight is required due to the mountains to the east of the airport, and pilots should be mindful of the hill on the approach end of Runway 18, which obstructs a normal approach. While landing on Runway 36 looks easier, be on the lookout for the mountains to the south, which you need to avoid as you turn back towards the runway. Following the river is a good option, as it will keep you away from high terrain. Regardless of which runway you use, make sure you know how to fly a short approach and use your flaps effectively to get down safely.

Garberville has fuel at the airport, and it is a great place to practice clearing obstacles in the airport environment. The flight into the airport is beautiful, as the surrounding trees and coast help serve as an impressive backdrop to the region. Choose to fly up either via Highway 101, where you view wineries, forests, and valleys, or the coast, which features incredible cliffs and shoreline. No matter how you get to Garberville, spend some time practicing mountain approaches before having a picnic lunch on the grass near the airport while taking in the mountain air.