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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

Claire Archer
Serg Buslovsky
Mike Gabelman
Sumit Garg
Daniel Grimshaw
Bill Healey
Edwin Jacobson
Carson Katz
Jeff Kember
Kristina Kitagawa
Larry Morelock
Pedram Roshdinavid
Giotta Silveus
Prateek Singh
Allen Swift
Sheng Zhong

Member Achievements

Jeff Kember
Instrument Checkride
CFI Aaren Chan

Reed Bouchelle
Private Pilot Checkride
CFI Jeff Reeder

Dante Pacini
Private Pilot Checkride
CFI Sid Basu

Kevin Yalowitz
Private Pilot Checkride
CFIs Kumar Gopal &
Herb Patten

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

1. True or False: Density Altitude increases landing distance requirements.

2. On a hot day, at high altitude with no wind your landing roll distance will:
a. increase
b. decrease

3: You are planning a trip with your C172 loaded to maximum weight. Assuming standard temps, landing at sea level with an 18kt headwind on a grass runway. Will your landing distance:
a. increase from standard requirements
b. decrease from standard requirements
c. stay the same as standard requirements
(answers are at the bottom)
Upcoming
SCFC Events and Safety Seminars
 
Jun 6 (Wed) 7:00pm
NASA ASRS - Airspace Vilation Related Incidents

Jun 9 (Sat) 12:00pm
Oakland Center ARTCC

Jun 13 (Wed) 7:00pm
Transition to Tailwheel

Jun 14 (Thur) 7:00pm
Special Ops Meeting

Jun 20 (Wed) 7:00pm
Mountain Flying & Flying the Rockies Prep




Oct 27 (Sat) 8:00am
BAY FLIGHT2018
Upcoming
Events & Trips
Jun 14 - 17 (Thurs - Sun)
Seattle

June 25 (Mon) 7:00pm
Full Moon Flyers LVK

Jun 27 - Jul 1 (Wed - Sun)
Colorado

July 14 (Sat) 12:00pm
FOG Lunch: California State Fair

July 27 (Fri) 7:00pm
Full Moon Flyers with Upwind SCK

Aug 10 (Fri) 12:00pm
FOG Lunch: HAF

Aug 24 (Fri) 7:00pm
Full Moon Flyers: MRY

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

C182
N182EE - $205/hr
N9894E - $195/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 - $160/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
 

Reddit Group

655 Skyway Rd
Suite 215
San Carlos, CA 94070 
   
Pop Quiz Answers
1. true
2. a
3. a

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June 2018

SCFC News
Support Your Favorite Instructor
It's time to vote! The 2018 AOPA Flight Training Excellence Awards Poll is now open! Cast your vote for your favorite flight school and instructor to help SCFC be the first school to win the award twice. The surveys take less than 10 minutes each and offer us great feedback. San Carlos Flight Center is always looking to improve so any and all participation is helpful. It's also a great way to thank your instructor for all their hard work! 

Please visit The AOPA Flight Training Poll to cast your vote today!

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BAY FLIGHT Conference: Eliot Floersch 
We continue to add guest speakers for the BAY FLIGHT 2018 pilot conference in October. We are excited to announce that accomplished CFI, Eliot Floersch, has joined the program. Eliot will present "Surviving Against the Odds", discussing how advances in avionics can improve a pilot's ability to handle emergency procedures even in low IFR conditions. More than just a cool toy in the cockpit, synthetic vision can be a powerful too to a pilot in instrument conditions.

BAY FLIGHT 2018 is booking up now toward our limit of 150 attendees. We will continue to add programs and speakers as we finalize arrangements.  If you want to participate, sign up soon to secure a seat.  www.bayflight18.com

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SCFC Releases "How to" Videos
There is a lot going on at our club and new members
may find it overwhelming to learn how things work. We hope to minimize the learning curve with the release of our "How To" videos. Our first set of videos includes "Taking Care of the Aircraft", "Scheduling a Flight,  "Understanding Flight Currency" and a few other important topics. The videos are narrated by a variety of current staff and members. While the video production team is hard at work generating new content, they can't do it alone! If you're interested in helping out by lending your voice to a video, contact Michael at 
[email protected].

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Let's Talk Ownership
Aircraft ownership is one way to get a deeper connection to aviation. Is ownership right for you? Here's some things you might need to know:

In general, owning an aircraft for the first time can be a bit nerve-wracking. Having a plane online at flight school can help ease some of these concerns because flight schools and clubs generally handle the overall maintenance, care, and management of the plane, allowing you to kick back and relax. Aside from that, a flying plane is a happy plane. Planes that don't fly often experience more corrosion than active aircraft. A great way to keep a plane active is to rent it out to other pilots. Having SCFC manage your plane for you lets us worry about tracking hours for scheduled inspections, keeping AD's complied with, and keep up with FAA regulations for you.

Among other things, SCFC is known for the maintenance of our fleet by ensuring the necessary preventative maintenance is provided to the aircraft to not only keep it flying, but keep it flying for a long time to come. Our goal is that planes in our fleet get better with time, starting from first day they arrive. SCFC keeps owners informed of member concerns, repair needs, suggestions, and insight for their aircraft. We take every issue and concern seriously because safety and member/owner satisfaction is our highest priority.

If you'd like to learn more about aircraft ownership, email  [email protected]  and we'll get any questions you may have answered to the best of our ability.

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Safety
Knot What You're Used To
SCFC has changed our tie downs to ropes
instead of chains. Ropes can be pulled tighter creating less-long term damage on the aircraft. There will be a "How To" video on the proper way to secure the aircraft with the ropes on our website. 

Ropes are now in Flight Center and Juliet Parking. Chains will remain in Kilo, as this area is for long wings and are considered "taxi-through spots.

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Scoring Your Landings
How would you rate your last landing? How would someone waiting at the Hold Short line rate it? With at least one landing per flight, you should always try to make it your best, but some pilots aren't using the right scoring system.

What are the most important aspects of a landing that rate the highest scores?  Aligning the body of the aircraft and the wheels to the direction of motion (PARALLEL) and flaring to the right nose-high landing attitude (NOSE PROTECTED). What should you be able to do well, but isn't as mission-critical?  Being perfectly center atop the center of the runway (OVER THE CENTERLINE). For normal landings at normal size airports, the aircraft can be slightly left or right of centerline without impacting the safety of the landing.

What goal from short-field landings do people often mistakenly aim for, that aren't important for normal landings?  Touching down as close to the runway threshold as possible. Normal landings have normal flares, with time to adjust the landing aircraft into the big three - PARALLEL, NOSE PROTECTED, and OVER THE CENTERLINE. Attempting to land short increases risk of stall on approach, causes wear and tear on the aircraft, and adds unnecessary pressure on the pilot. Short-field technique is good for an emergency landing on an extremely short field, but it's bad and risky to use in normal situations.

Both short-field and soft-field landing techniques can focus the pilot too much on the moment of contact, which can be impacted by factors outside of the pilot's control. For normal landings, it's far better for the pilot to focus on placing the plane in the right location at the right attitude a few inches above the runway, and letting the aircraft land when it is ready.

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Mountain Flying & Flying The Rockies Prep
Wednesday June 20, 7:00pm
Flying in the mountains can be some of the most amazingly beautiful and satisfying flying you may ever accomplish. But it comes with increased risk, and, thereby increased responsibility. Every day, GA pilots who fly in the mountains safely calculate and plan for such risks, and you can too. 

Join CFI Brian Eliot for an overview of elements of mountain flying. We'll look at how terrain and mountain weather patterns affect one another and what that means to pilots of small aircraft. We will discuss how to calculate density altitudes  and what it means for landing and departing at high-altitude mountain airports. And no mountain flying discussion is complete without emergency preparedness and survival gear.

While this seminar serves as a pre-trip briefing for the FOG 5-Day Mountain Trip through the Rockies, it is also open to non-participating pilots who wish to obtain the ground instruction related to a mountain checkout. Please note that this is a 2 hour seminar. and qualifies for FAA Wings credit. More details are available on the SCFC website

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Summer is Coming...
Summer months bring longer days and opportunities for fun adventure. Before setting out on that long cross country, be sure to familiarize yourself with these weather hazards. 

Expect Coastal Stratus and Low Clouds. As the land heats during the day, warm moist pacific air will be drawn in over the cold California current, causing costal fog. The regional high pressure system will cap the fog into layers of low stratus beginning in the late afternoon lasting until the next day.  Don't get caught scud running!

Afternoon Air Mass Thunderstorms in the Sierras are attributed to a combination of factors. Between the heat of the day and the westerly winds over the Sierras, air will be lifted over the mountains and moisture will precipitate into air mass thunderstorms. Remember, these can be seen and you should avoid them by at least 20 miles. 

Heat expands the air causing it to be thinner. Plan for high density air and its effects on performance. Remember the afternoons are warmer than the mornings. Consult your POH and make appropriate adjustments to flight plans. 

Summer Turbulence is usually a result of thermal turbulence from the land heating and therefore increases through out the day.  This area is usually below scattered cumulus or the haze layers, so it should be smooth above.

Morning Turbulence can occur just above the nocturnal temperature inversion and is usually a few hundred to 2000 feet AGL. Not a big issue if you expect it.

Dust Storms can occur in windy areas as well as under virga as the downdrafts from the clouds can stir up the dry land below.  Even though virga is beautiful, downdrafts have been clocked at 6000 ft/min. Think of virga as a do not enter sign.

Happy Flying!

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Community
Member Profile: Dante Pacini
SCFC: When did you realize you wanted to be a pilot? 
DP:  I have always had an interest in aviation and have always wanted to become a pilot since I was a little kid. After I took an intro flight for my birthday in 2013 I knew this was what I wanted to pursue for the rest of my life.

SCFC: How did it feel to receive the Upwind Scholarship?
DP:  The Upwind Scholarship is an amazing
program and it was so exciting to be awarded the opportunity. I am so happy that I got to learn about my passion under some of the best CFI's that aviation has to offer, alongside my best friends.


SCFC: What was it like training with the Upwind program?
DP:  The Upwind summer was intense, difficult, and tiring, but it was the most fun I've ever had. The best part of the program was being able to get my license while spending time with Giles, Peter and Alex and the amazing staff of the Flight Center. Showing up to the Flight Center every morning knowing that I would be spending the rest of the day flying and learning about aviation made it an awesome experience.

SCFC:  You just got your PPL! Congrats! How did it feel to become a Private Pilot?
DP:  The long process of becoming a private pilot for me was difficult. It had its bright spots and its rough patches but when I finally was handed my license it was a amazing felling. All the hard work that the Flight Center, especially Sid Basu my primary CFI, put in finally paid off.

SCFC:  Who was (or will be) your lucky first passenger?
DP: My mother.

SCFC: What are your interests outside of aviation?
DP:  I'm a big sports fan and played Football and Baseball for my high school. I love watching all the bay area teams and spending time with my friends and family.

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Calling All CFIs - Teaching Tips for Commercial
San Carlos Flight Center CFIs meet regularly to share teaching tips, track changes in the industry, and ensure effective instruction delivery for SCFC students. The CFI meetings, held Wednesdays at noon, are closed-door professional discussions for CFIs only, with an occasional CFI candidate. This is one way the SCFC instructor core maintains our quality.

On a few dates this summer, the SCFC CFI team is welcoming in outside CFIs, from schools and flying clubs all around the SF Bay Area. These CFI Round Tables will allow us to share some of our most important topics with other local instructors, and hear their perspective on Bay Area flight training. The most recent CFI Round Table covered myths in teaching engine management, including oil, engine temperature management, and leaning.  The next CFI Round Table is on Wednesday, June 20th at noon and will cover Tips for Teaching Commercial Pilots.  Recent regulatory changes mean that commercial pilot candidates can now take their checkrides in non-complex aircraft.  Even experienced instructors will need new tips, procedures, and standard power settings for the new aircraft.

Brian Eliot will be guiding the discussion for the next CFI Round Table, which will qualify for FAA WINGS credit.  Lunch is provided for CFIs who have previously registered on the FAASafety website.  We hope you will join us.

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It's Time for the Upwind Kick-off!

Summer is here and that means the beginning of the Upwind flight training program. On Monday June 11th the three Upwind students Aditya, Alessandro, and Daniel will begin their flight training. The Upwind training is an intense 9 to 5, five (5) days a week, nine (9) week program. The training not only includes flight lessons but extensive ground training. You will often find them in the classroom doing self-study or taking a ground lesson. Please stop in, introduce yourself and offer to help answer any questions they may have or offer words of encouragement. The Upwind program is made possible by
pilots donating their time and giving financial support. Please consider making a donation to the Upwind Foundation today. 



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Adventure
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
July 23 - 29 (Mon - Sun)
EAA AirVenture is the world's largest fly-in gathering and one of the world's largest aviation events. Featuring daily air shows, nearly 1,000 forums and workshops, and 800 exhibitors there is excitement for pilots, passengers and aviation enthusiasts alike.

Each year, AirVenture brings you attractions you can't find anywhere else, and 2018 is no exception. A few highlights for this year's program include:

"Year of the Tanker" - the Air Force Reserve is bringing part of its impressive fleet of military refueling aircraft
One Week Wonder project - help build an airplane in seven days!
Twilight Flight Fest - Fly Zone will return with some exciting aditions to their lineup of activities

Fore more information on AirVenture 2018, or to purchase tickets, visit www.eaa.org.

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5-Day Colorado Mountain Flying Journey
June 27 - July 1 (Wed - Sun)
Each year an armada of FlyOutGroup airplanes departs the Bay Area bound for a fun and amazing mountain flying adventure!

This year we head back to Colorado for some awesome Rocky Mountain flying. We will take the northern route through Utah, landing at the Class B KSLC for an overnight stay in Salt Lake City. Day two we journey into the heart of the Rockies for a two-night stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, our home base for mountain flying. Salida is situated among the best mountain passes and a few minutes south of the famous Leadville Airport, North America's highest airport at 9927'. Day Four we overfly the Grand Canyon en route to Las Vegas.

The trip is a great opportunity to complete your G1000 avionics or airplane-specific checkout and earn your high performance endorsement. Each plane will have 1 CFI and 2 pilots on board. Your registration fee is a $200 deposit and event fee is your CFI daily rate and aircraft flight hours. With two pilots per CFI and aircraft, the daily rate is halved between you and whomever you fly with to get mountain flying experience.

It promises to be an unforgettable flying adventure with plenty of room for ground-based fun as well. Visit the SCFC website for hotel information or to register for the event. 

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FOG Heads to Seattle!
June 14 - 17 (Thurs - Sun)
Travel up to the stunning Puget Sound region and explore one of the world's most pivotal aviation centers - Seattle! With sights like the Boeing Factory, Mt. Rainier, Snoqualmie Falls, and the gorgeous San Juan Islands, Seattle has something for everyone.



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

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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.

Register early for BAY FLIGHT 2018
to receive the Early Bird Special!
Registration Now Open!

To save $20 on your Bay Flight 2018 registration fee, go to BAYFLIGHT18.com and register before July 31, 2018. SCFC Members will save an additional $30.

Your BAY FLIGHT registration includes:
  • Entrance to BAY FLIGHT 2018
  • Participation in all plenary sessions and breakouts
  • FAA WINGS credit for appropriate seminars
  • Lunch
  • Breakfast and afternoon snacks
  • Opportunity to meet other Bay Area pilots
  • Invitation to afternoon cocktail reception following conference
  • Video copy of all BAY FLIGHT 2018 breakout seminars