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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

David Butler
David Dickins 
Ali Eshraghi
Robo Gerson
Giovanni Go 
Ansel Halliburton 
Doug Johnson 
Romel Jacinto
Daniel Luskin
Blake Montz
Michael Neumeyer
Brendan Playford
Richard Powers
Diane Root 
Jacob Schalit
Craig Schmeizer
Arun Sood
Brian Steach
Michael Trevor
Chris Wooding

Member Achievements

Michael Dutton
Fixed-Wing Add On Checkride
CFI Jeff Reeder

Steve Garrity
Instrument Checkride
CFI Patti Andrews
& Aaren Chan

Paul Duffy
Private Pilot Checkride
CFI Jason Miller

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

1. If the outside air temperature at a given altitude is warmer than standard, the density altitude is
a. equal to pressure altitude
b. lower than pressure altitude
c. higher than pressure altitude

2. Which is true regarding the presence of alcohol within the human body?
a. a small amount of alcohol increases vision acuity
b. an increase in altitude decreases the adverse effect of alcohol
c. judgement and decision-making abilities can be adversely affected by even small amounts of alcohol

3: How does frost affect the lifting surfaces of an airplane on takeoff?
a. frost changes the basic aerodynamic shape of the airfoils, thereby increasing lift
b. frost slows the airflow over the airfoils, thereby increasing control effectiveness
c. frost spoils the smooth flow of air over the wings, thereby decreasing lifting capability
(answers are at the bottom)
Upcoming
SCFC Events and Safety Seminars
 
Feb 7 (Wed) 7:00pm
May 172 May Help
Me Survive

 Feb 8 (Thur)  7:00pm 
SCFC Special Ops
Monthly Meeting


Feb 10 (Sat)  10:00am
Radio Communication Workshop

Feb 17 (Sat) 12:00pm
The Best Kept Secret in Aviation

Feb 21 (Wed) 7:00pm
Getting Your
Instrument Rating

Feb 23 (Fri) 2:00pm
Auburn: Fly/Golf/Fly

Feb 24 (Sat) 12:00pm
Operations out of Alameda Naval Air
Station, Beale Air Force Base & More

Feb 28 (Wed) 7:00pm
Bravo Transitions and SQL/HAF Safety Operating Procedures

Mar 1 (Thur) 7:00pm
Full Moon Flyers at Monterey

Mar 3 (Sat) 11:00am
G1000 GPS Workshop

Mar 7 (Wed) 7:00pm
Mountain Flying
Upcoming
Events & Trips

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
 
info@sancarlosflight.com

Reddit Group

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

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March 2018

SCFC News
March is Member Appreciation Month!
Starting this month, San Carlos Flight Center is celebrating 6 years of Safety, Community, and Adventure. Join in the fun as we honor the pilots and members who made us the #1 flying club in the Bay Area. Stop by the front desk before your next flight for your Member Appreciate goody bag. The Special Ops Team has put together a selection of member Thank You gifts, including our 6th Anniversary T-shirt. Thank you all for your energy and commitment to SCFC's success, and for your safe decision-making as pilots of SCFC.  

Visit the the SCFC subreddit to check out the goody bag contents.

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Meet Our New CFIs

Kevin Petrie, CFII
Driven by his love for aviation, Kevin had been dreaming of becoming a pilot since  childhood. In 2011 he began his flight training and graduated from San Jose State  University in 2016 with a degree in Aviation. Soon after finishing school, he  completed his instrument, Commercial SEL and MEL, and received his instructor  certificate.


Stephen Heesacker, CFI:
Stephen started designing and building Radio controlled airplanes and gliders in high school. He began flying real airplanes while earning degrees in Physics and Aeronautics at San Jose State University. He recently received Commercial and CFI ratings and joined the SCFC team in December.

To Stephen flying is fun and opens the world to more opportunities. He believes learning to fly with precision improves navigational skills as well as safety and landing skills. He was held to a very high standard when he was taught to fly and throughout his professional career, and continues that tradition with his students.

Herb Patten, CFI
Herb Patten is an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. Herb recently received his CFI is is joining the SCFC team as a Flight Instructor. He has over 800 hours and flown into 111 different California airports. He is co-founder of the Bay Area Student and New Pilot Support Group, and a board member of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2015, Herb was named a Master Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.

Drew Shevelow, CFI
Growing up, Drew always had an affinity towards aviation. After getting his engineering degree and starting his career, he decided it was time to finally give aviation a shot. It started off as just a desire to get his private pilot certificate. Shortly after starting his training, he was hooked and decided to change career paths. Once it was possible, Drew began work on becoming a CFI. Now that he has achieved his CFI goal, he is excited to start the next step in his aviation career here at SCFC.

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Focus Group Opportunity: Seabird Protection Network

The Seabird Protection Network is seeking pilots who fly the coast to participate in a paid focus group the evening of March 28th. The focus group will be located in the conference room at SQL, food will be provided, and you will be paid $80 for your time. 

The Seabird Protection Network has partnered with pilots for ten years to reduce disturbances to seabird colonies along the coast. From this event, they are hoping to walk away with further suggestions as to how their work with the general aviation community can be more effective.
If you are interested in participating, please register for the event.

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Safety
Educate Yourself on the Hazards of Mountain Flying


With real mountains only a short flight away, all California pilots should take the time to learn how to safely operate in mountainous areas. High elevation makes for high density altitude and limits to performance, so pilots need to learn that the airplane won't operate the way it does at sea level. Human physiology is also affected, so you'll need to take precautions to keep yourself and your passengers safe.

Mountains airports are often isolated and
feature unusual runway slopes, nonstandard traffic patterns, hazardous wind conditions, and close-in obstacles. Exposure to mountain flying under the care of a knowledgeable instructor should be regarded as a prerequisite to any solo mountain trip you might plan. Consider attending a Mountain Flying Safety Seminar like the one happening tonight at SCFC, or consider joining the FlyOutGroup on the upcoming two-day mountain flying adventure March 22-23.  The trip teaches you the fundamentals of operating an aircraft in the mountains while giving you the opportunity to visit several of our nearby Sierra Nevada mountain airports.

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Bottle to Throttle: How Long Do I Wait?
 
If you're someone who enjoys unwinding with an alcoholic beverage this simple mantra - 8 hours bottle to throttle - can keep you safe from the toxic effects of alcohol. Whether it's a local flight or a longer trip away from home (like the FOG wine tasting trip to Santa Maria!), ensure that you adhere to the guidelines of FAR 91.17 as a  minimum!  One of these is the popular 8 hours from bottle to throttle. However, a more conservative approach is to wait 24 hours from the last consumption of alcohol before flying. 

Remember that the regulations alone do not guarantee that a problem will not occur. Always consider the effects of a hangover and remember that ultimately your life and the lives of your passengers are at risk!

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Weather 101: How to Make Ice

Snow on the top of Mount Diablo and the East Bay hills should help us remember there is still plenty of possibility of structural icing.  The recipe for ice is simple: 1 part water plus 1 part freezing air temperatures yields 1 serving of ice.  Any liquid water can freeze, including drops of rain and the tiny drops of liquid moisture that makes up clouds.  If you fly a cold metal airplane into moisture when the air outside is at or below freezing, you will accumulate structural icing and create an emergency.

Spring and summer will come, but until then keep your eye on the freezing level and stay out of visible moisture when the temperatures are low.

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Community
Member Profile: Steve Garrity

SCFC: When did you realize you wanted to be a pilot?
SG: Very early on, maybe 10 or 12. I started flying in high school but ran out of time and money, and didn't actually finish my license until last year (20 years after I started).

SCFC: Congrats on your instrument rating! How was the experience?
SG:  Thanks! It was great - I went straight into instrument training with the same instructor I did my primary training with, Patti Andrews. She's great, her teaching suits my style, and is quite challenging (something I look for especially in flight instructors, as the saying goes: "the harder we sweat in training, the less we bleed in war"). We'd talked about this plan before I completed by Private Pilot License, so she had already helped me start to incorporate necessary IFR-flying skills into my VFR flying (a more extensive pre-flight, a lot of complex radio work, G1000 flight plans, etc), and the transition was pretty straightforward. Aaren Chan was also particularly helpful with a different perspective during my phase check and checkflight prep, as well as a bunch of pilot friends who flew as safety pilots...the more people you can learn from the better!

SCFC: What are your aviation goals?
SG:  My fiancee and I view the plane as a practical tool for getting around the west coast...we spend a lot of time (for fun and work) around the state, and especially now with the instrument rating it's becoming a more reliable way for us to get around. Plus we love flying to new places on the weekend!

SCFC: What aviation adventure have you accomplished or wish to in the future?
SG:  Probably our best adventure to date has been a weekend trip to Ashland, OR to see the Shakespeare Festival...flying ourselves to visit my parents in Wyoming is high on the list for this year (just finished my high performance endorsement since a 182 will be necessary for the mountains).

SCFC: What are your interests outside of aviation?
SG: I work in technology, so I love most things I can take apart. Otherwise, endurance racing (ultramarathons, Ironman, etc), good food & wine, being outdoors...the usual?  

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Calling All Pilots to Fly Like a Girl

The women pilots of SCFC periodically meet up to share stories and support each other's flying activities.  They have some great activities planned for 2018 including guest speakers, Hiller Kids Carnival, a joint FOG event, and tour of SFO tower.  Be sure to take part in the fun.  Any woman or girl that is a pilot or interested in finding out more about aviation can attend.
We are currently looking for FLAG volunteers to staff the Hiller Museum Kids Carnival on Sunday March 25 and Sunday, April 29th from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM.  We pass out planes, airplane tattoos, and talk to all the kids about the fun of flying.  It's a great way to share your love of aviation. To join in, email us at  FlyLikeaGirl@sancarlosflight.com.


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Upwind Wine & Cheese Party
Friday March 16, 6:00pm

Upwind invites you to a fundraising Wine and Cheese Party on Friday, March 16 from 6:00 - 8:00pm. Our annual fundraiser for the Upwind Scholarship will include wine & cheese pairings and the conclusion of our silent auction. As a special treat, we will also announce and introduce the winners of the 2018 scholarships!

Be prepared to bid hard to win great aviation auction items such as:
  • Training time with your favorite CFI
  • Fantastic bottles of wine
  • Unique flight experiences
  • Aviation items
  • and much more! 
The Wine & Cheese party is the highlight of all SCFC annual events. All are welcome to bring friends and family to experience the fun of a night out with the greatest piloting community in Northern California.

Donations supporting the Upwind Foundation are gratefully accepted if you are unable to join us. 

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Adventure
FOG Lunch: Castle Air Museum
Sunday March 11, 
12:00pm

FOG pilots get ready to gear up this Sunday afternoon for an outdoor fun-filed day. This month we head to Atwater, CA to visit the Castle Air Museum. Fly-out to Castle Air Museum, a former Air Force base. Castle Air Museum hosts over 70 historic aircrafts, from pre-WWII to the present. Aircraft on display includes the B-17G Flying fortress, the F-14 Tomcat, and SR-71A Blackbird. Castle Air Museum also has wartime memorabilia including aircraft engines, military uniforms, historic photos, and personal military artifacts from the past century.

Please be advised that the admission is $15 to
get into the museum. The tour is self-guided, however the museum provides a handout guide sheet with all the information you need regarding the aircrafts on site. 

Please register for this event to give us an accurate headcount.

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2-Day California Mountain Flying
March 17 - 18 (Sat - Sun)
Spring weather brings cool temperatures, clear skies and smooth air. It can also occasionally bring the threat of snow and ice, which are good things to learn to respect during trips to airports at higher elevations. We have put together a 2-day training event to help pilots gain experience and meet their club's mountain checkout requirements.

The basic goals for this training event are:
  • to learn to fly safely over mountainous terrain
  • to learn about high elevation airport operations
  • to experience some of California's highest and trickiest airports safely
  • to see some amazing scenery and stay overnight in South Lake Tahoe
If you are interested in signing up for some fun and educational mountain flying now is the time to do it! Each C182 will have two pilots, one CFI. We will depart Saturday morning crisscrossing the Sierras exploring Mammoth, Truckee, South Lake Tahoe and other airports, with an overnight stay in Tahoe, with more mountain flying and the trip home on Sunday.

Slots for this trip are limited, so register today!

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Full Moon Flyers: FBO Party at Sac International
Saturday March 31, 7:00pm 
This month, FOG pilots are going to do something some of us we haven't done yet - land at Sacramento International Airport, park and have a party at the FBO. Our first attempt at this flight was weathered out, but second time's the charm, right?

To avoid the hassle of walking to restaurants (and issues with TSA) in the terminals, we have decided to throw an FBO Party! Similar to the SFO take over we launched a few years ago, we will have 20-30 GA planes descend on KSMF Capital Jet Center for a private catered event. Special food. Special parking. Lots of fun.

Plan to arrive just before 7:00pm at the South General Aviation Parking ramp (bottom left corner of the airport diagram) and park at Capitol Jet Center. Cost is $20 payable in cash at the event, or call the front desk to pre-pay. 

Please register for the event so we can be sure to have enough food and drink for everyone.

And remember: On departure, call Clearance Delivery for your VFR departure instructions prior to calling Ground Control!

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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.

Beat the traffic, enjoy FAA Safety Seminars from the comfort of your home, and still get Wings Credit!

Did you know, as a SCFC member, you can stream our live & our archived safety seminars and still get wings credit?  And as a SCFC Web Member for $20 per month, your fellow pilots living elsewhere can do the same?  Sure beats driving in heavy traffic on a week night after work, or from the central valley, to attend.  Spread the word to your fellow pilots so they too can enjoy this benefit.

Have an idea for a Safety Seminar or know someone who could share their knowledge to help their fellow pilots?  Contact  dave@sancarlosflight.com with your suggestions. 

SCFC is committed to having the safest pilots in California, and everything can be an opportunity to learn.