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The Centerline
The newsletter of San Carlos Flight Center
In This Issue
SCFC News
Safety
Community
Adventure
Member News 
Welcome New Members

Eli Amesefe
Brian Cervenka
Bill Cox
Frances Dal Santo
Gerald Darcy
Cole Ettingoff 
Brendan Hermanlyn
David King
Andy Lin
Karen Massey
Em Persico
Anthony Smith
Peter Wexler

Member Achievements

Dante Pacini
Solo Flight
CFI Sid Basu

John Lindstrom
Solo Flight
CFI Kumar Gopal

Hassaan Khan
Instrument Checkride
CFI Aaren Chan

Sean O'Holleran
Commercial Checkride
CFI Miguel Mundo

Michael Lloyd
Instrument Checkride
CFI Peter Nork

David Carroll 
Solo Flight
CFI Kumar Gopal

Alex Gould
Instrument Checkride
CFI Aaren Chan

Pop Quiz
A fun monthly
knowledge test.
Editor: 
Beth Kirkpatrick

1. What would
decrease the stability of an air mass?

a) Warming from below.
b) Cooling from below.
c) Decrease in water vapor.

2. What clouds have the greatest turbulence?

a) Towering cumulus.
b) Cumulonimbus.
c) Nimbostratus.

3: What conditions are necessary for the formation of thunderstorms?

a) Moist air, lifting force, and unstable conditions. 
b) High humidity, high temperature, and cumulus clouds
c) Lifting force, high humidity, and overcast skies.
(answers are at the bottom)
Upcoming
SCFC Events and Safety Seminars
 
Jan 3 (Wed) 7:00pm
Buying Into an Airplane Partnership

 Jan 6 (Sat)  12:00pm 
Demystifying Bay Area Airspace

Jan 10 (Wed)  7:00pm 
The Role of the FAA Safety Inspector

Jan 11 (Thur) 7:00pm
SCFC Special Ops Monthly Meeting

Jan 13 (Sat) 12:00pm
You Have Got 178 Seconds

Jan 17 (Wed) 7:00pm
Flying with Passengers

Jan 24 (Wed) 7:00pm
Flying in Stormy Weather
Upcoming
Events & Trips

The Fleet
C182 - G1000
N1483L - $238/hr
N123TZ - $228/hr
N9894E - $190/hr

Piper Arrow
N200KR- $195/hr

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

C172S - 6-pack
N410BS - $163/hr
N236SP - $163/hr
N458SP - $163/hr 
N652SP - $163/hr
N106RA - $163/hr

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

C172N  
N734WZ - $140/hr

Piper Archer
N6848J - $150/hr

Tailwheel
Super Decathlon
N66405 - $140/hr

Citabria
N59WD - $135/hr

Piper Warrior
N91338 - $125/hr

C152
N714SW- $122/hr
N111RK - $115/hr
N5369H - $110/hr

Simulators
BATD GNS-430W - $30/hr
 
 (member prices shown) 

Contact Us 

Front Desk

(650) 946-1700

 

Maintenance

(650) 946-1701

 

Email Us 

[email protected]

 

655 Skyway Rd

Suite 215

San Carlos, CA 94070 

   

Pop Quiz Answers
1. a
2. a
3. a

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January 2018

SCFC News
Private Pilot Ground School Launches January 7

It is a new year and the time is right to get started or complete your flight training. Make a commitment by signing up now for the Private Pilot Ground School starting Sunday January 7th. The classes are delivered in a highly interactive manner with content that is constantly being updated and is relevant to flying in the Bay Area. The training not only prepares you for the knowledge test but provides a solid foundation for the oral portion of the checkride. Some unique features include:
  • Flexible - sessions are taught two times per week on Sunday morning and Tuesday evening.
  • Fun - meet and interact with other students.
  • Fantastic value including bonus sessions:
    • Tour and visit with SQL tower controllers,
    • Hands on with the SCFC maintenance team to explore under the engine cowling,
    • Workshops to apply XC skills and use weather briefing tools
Contact the Front Desk to confirm your seat in the class that will launch your aviation dreams.

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"PilotsofSCFC" Stories on Reddit

PilotsofSCFC is the new group at  Reddit.com, created for members of the Flight Center.  You can share your flight photos and stories, ask questions, and coordinate shared flights to SCFC and FlyOutGroup events. Check it out at  https://www.reddit.com/r/PilotsofSCFC/ 

In January, we plan to host Ask Me Anything sessions with a flight instructor and a mechanic, discuss topics like pattern operations and changes to member regulations, and group brainstorm plans for SCFC's 6th Anniversary in March. Join in the dialog and share your flight stories and photos.

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Lost and Found Clearance Sale

Did you forget anything from your last flight?  Or the one before? Over the course of 2017, our Lost and Found has accumulated some cool stuff. While we do our best to return lost items to their rightful owners, sometimes that doesn't happen.  From Jan 4th - Jan 10th, all of these formerly-owned items will be available for a cash only donation to the Upwind Foundation. Want to claim your item before it disappears into the flight bag of your fellow member?  Check out the Lost and Found photo album link on PilotsofSCFC.

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Safety
The Weather Outside is Graphical

 
Checking weather for cross country flights has become easier with the Graphical  Forecast for Aviation (GFA). The outdated Area Forecast has now been relegated to the history books. The new GFA provides a 15 hour forecast in increments of 1 hour. You can zoom and pan on a map to get the detailed forecast relevant for your flight. The interactive map can be found on the Aviation Weather Center site here and the static images can be found here . This content has also been incorporated into the Standard Briefings and ForeFlight has added it to their Graphical Briefings. For more information, you can check out the recorded safety seminar .


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Safety Seminar: You Have Got 178 Seconds
Saturday January 13, 12:00pm

In most years, nearly half of all weather-related accidents happen as a result of continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and sadly, the vast majority of those accidents are fatal.

The best defense against flying under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) is to avoid entering them in the first place. 

Gene Hudson CFI, CFII, MEI, is an Assistant Chief Flight Instructor at Tradewinds Aviation with over 16,000 hours of flight time. He is an FAASTeam representative, and has delivered over 1000 public presentations in the FAA Safety Program. Reserve your seat by registering for the seminar. 

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Safety Seminar: Flying with Passengers
Wednesday, January 17, 7:00pm

Once a pilot obtains a private pilot certificate,
a whole new type of flying is available to them as they can now fly with people other than certified flight instructors. These people are better known to the pilot as passengers.

For new pilots, the added responsibility and distraction can increase workload, stress, and risk. From the planning stages until the conclusion of the flight, there are many safety and convenience factors that contribute to completing a safe and enjoyable flight.

Join us for a seminar with Kyle Smathers as he covers the factors necessary to make sure that carrying passengers will be an enjoyable, and most importantly, a safe experience.

Ensure your seat by registering for the seminar here.

Any questions, contact us at (650) 946-1700 or  [email protected].

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Community
Member Profile: Kayley James

SCFC: Who or what inspired you to learn to fly?
KJ: My dad and I visted the Hiller Aviation Museum several years ago and as we were watching planes take off and land, we both agreed that we wanted to learn how to fly. Shortly after my dad started his training I decided to try it too!

SCFC: How has the process of learning to fly helped you outside of aviation? Do you see a connection to learning how to fly an airplane to other things in your life?
KJ: Learning to fly has boosted my confidence. I feel more able to build skills and accomplish goals. Whenever I come across a challenge, I think about all the things I've achieved while learning to fly and tell myself I can do it!

SCFC: What are your aviation goals?
KJ:  I want to fly recreationally with my dad.

SCFC: What is your favorite flying memory?
KJ:  I did a Bay Tour with an old friend and my instructor. We had beautiful weather, I flew well, and my friend told me our flight was one of the most memorable things he's ever done!

SCFC: What are your interests outside of aviation?
KJ: I love running, photography, and music. I'm studying computer science and Spanish in college.

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FlyOutGroup Planning for 2018

The Bay Area FlyOutGroup (FOG) is a group of Northern California student pilots, private pilots, and flight instructors who participate in "FlyOut" adventures.  We come up with a fun reason to fly, pick an airport, and meet up there.  Sometimes it's for training, sometimes it's purely for adventure, but it's always fun!

While FOG is supported by SCFC, it is a separate flying community coordinated by volunteers.  Do you have a great idea for a FOG Event? Now is the time to get involved.  FOG organizers are needed for 2018. Responsibilities include: 
  • Creating fun flying adventures for all aviation skill levels
  • Coordinating events with other SCFC programs
  • Joining the monthly SCFC Special Ops Volunteer meetings
If you support our goal of building an engaged pilot community, contact Dan to see how you can help. [email protected]

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Seminar: Buying Into an Airplane Partnership
Wednesday January 3, 7:00pm.

At some time, most pilots consider owning their own plane.  Have you?  Because of the size of the expense and the risks associated, buying a plane can be as daunting as buying a small home.  What costs should you expect?  Will owning save you money over renting?  What about buying an airplane with partners?

If owning an airplane, or a share in an airplane partnership, interest you, you do not want to miss this seminar. Dan Dyer will review the most frequently asked questions asked by first time buyers, including how the costs of ownership decrease per person and the risks are shared.  He will talk about various airplane ownership methods used by the pilot members of San Carlos Flight Center, and how those partnerships fare over time.  If you have questions about buying and owning an airplane, this will be a chance for you to hear answers to those and other questions asked by pilots at your airport.

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Adventure
Modesto Airport Hanger Adventure Recap

On December 9th, Dave Kramer and Bay Flight 20 traveled to Modesto Airport (KMOD) for the  CAF Hangar Dec Second Saturday Breakfast which featured a visit from Santa, Elsa from the movie Frozen, a Marines Toys for Tots Drive and a great breakfast.


The CAF Hangar serves breakfast every second Saturday of the month and lunch the remaining Saturdays.
It is a great place to share stories with fellow pilots as well as a Modesto town event. They even have dinner dances occasionally. The flight from SQL to MOD is a great beginner cross-country route that stays fun for the experienced pilot. If you are looking for a fun flying adventure, contact Glenn at  [email protected] to get on the Modesto Hanger Events mailing list.

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We keep our online calendar updated, so bookmark this page: 
http://www.sancarlosflight.com/activities/calendar. Better yet, follow the instructions at the top of the page to add this calendar to your iPhone.

Cold Weather Flying Gear

Cold weather brings dense air, great for flying. Time for you to start planning your winter flying, and for us to break out our specialty SCFC cold weather scarves and beanies. How do you get one of these awesome cozy giveaways? Fly any time the METAR calls the temperature in single digits (less than 10 degrees C) and you are entitled to SCFC's limited edition beanie or scarf! Ask at the front desk for more information.