Upcoming Holiday Closures

November brings cooler temperatures, calmer winds, and changing colors. It also brings major holidays, so the Flight Center will have reduced hours on the following days:

• November 26 - Office closes early at 2 PM
• November 27-28 - Office closed

The aircraft keys will be available in the lockbox, so please ensure you have made your flight reservations for those days no later than 12 PM on November 26. Some CFIs may be available or out of town on those days. Please consult with your CFI on their availability.

Save the Date - SCFC Holiday Party will be held on Friday, December 19th!

Mark your calendars for Friday, December 19th, as our Flight Center Holiday Party returns! Join us at the hangar in your festive attire for celebration, complimentary pilot-themed food and drinks, and lots of music. Socialize with members, staff, and students as we celebrate 2025! Please RSVP below so we can have a headcount for food.

RSVP here

Pilot Shortage - Myth or Reality?

There have been lots of headlines over the last few years about a pilot shortage, specifically with how airlines are "desperate" for pilots! Numerous flight schools have echoed these claims, encouraging current and future pilots to pursue an aviation career. Is this fact or fiction?

First, the term "pilot shortage" came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, where major airlines gave early retirement packages to pilots. As travel recovered in 2021 faster than predicted, airlines found themselves with fewer pilots and hired a significant number over the next few months to build up their pilot staffing levels. This hiring boom lasted until mid-2023, after which it flowed back to normal "pre-COVID" levels once airlines had a healthy supply of pilots.

Second, aspiring career pilots should always be looking for ways to get connected in aviation. Networking is essential. Flight Center BBQs, safety seminars, FOG events, and keeping in touch with your CFI are fantastic ways to meet others and learn about new opportunities.

Right now, there is no shortage of pilots, especially low-time (non-ATP-rated) pilots. The Flight Center encourages any pilots who are seeking a career to happily pursue it. If you have an itch to fly professionally, go pursue it! The pilot job market is always in flux, but it's important not to look at past trends and online influencers to represent the current state of hiring. If you desire to fly, there will be a spot in the sky for you.

Congrats to our Maintenance Team!

The San Carlos Flight Center maintenance team, headed by Suzie Garcia-Due, Director of Maintenance, is pleased to announce the following recent accomplishments:

Holly Bare (left) has obtained her Airframe certificate. This is one of two certificates that mechanics work toward. The steps involved in receiving an Airframe certificate are similar to the steps to become a pilot. There is a written test, an oral exam, which is one-on-one with an FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME), and then a hands-on practical test. Next time you see Holly, congratulate her on her accomplishment.

Following in Holly’s footsteps are Tsai Greene and Ulysses Esquivel. They have currently passed their Airframe written test and are studying for the oral and practical test.

Safety

Three Asks from NorCal Approach

NorCal Approach manages some of the busiest airspace in the United States. We're lucky that we get the opportunity to train in this area, but we do need to remember that we are not the only plane in the sky. Our instructors have noticed a few things that NorCal calls out to pilots on the radio, so we'll pass them along to you.

Use your Full Callsign

When checking on with NorCal, it is important to use your full callsign. However, even if you get into a call/response with ATC, they ask that you use your callsign after each transmission. TRACON controllers manage a lot of traffic; the callsign helps ensure they hear the correct airplane's response. This is especially true when there are multiple Bay Flight aircraft on the same frequency with similar-sounding callsigns!

Be Mindful where you Maneuver

The area between Coyote Hills and Mineral Plant is highly congested. Most VFR traffic operating out of SQL and PAO uses that corridor, while airliners are vectored through the region en route to Oakland and SFO. If you're planning on practicing maneuvers near Livermore, try to remain at a lower altitude until Mineral Plant, and then proceed to do your practice northeast of that waypoint (aim to fly towards Bushy Peak/Del Valle Dam). This helps NorCal and airline traffic keep clear of you, and makes it safer for everyone.

IFR Pilots - Request the Missed Approach!

If you are practicing approaches under VFR and want to do the published missed approach procedure, you must specifically request it to ATC. This is because NorCal will assume you are landing at the airport, and as a result, won't clear the missed approach path of traffic. If you're planning to go missed, make sure NorCal has that request. (Note - at some airports, the published missed may not be available for practice under VFR due to operational needs).

Keep these tips in mind the next time you fly. As the government continues to be shut down, let's do our part to help NorCal Approach out!

SCFC Member Profile: Michael Papiri

SCFC: Congrats on the first solo! How long did you think about flight training before you finally decided to take the plunge?

MP: I’ve been interested in flying since high school, but I ended up going a different route career-wise. Over time, I started feeling dissatisfied with where I was professionally, and during the pandemic, I started giving aviation more serious thought. I finally decided to take the plunge earlier this year; my only regret is not having done so sooner. 

SCFC: The bulk of pre-solo flight training is on basic aircraft control and stability. What things came easily to you, and what tasks did you find more challenging?

MP: Going into training, I had some general background knowledge (I used to fly model airplanes as a kid), but applying that knowledge proved more challenging. I'm not sure anything came easily, but the area that challenged me most was radio communication, something I hadn’t anticipated I would struggle with. Over time, though, it's one of the areas I've seen the most improvement with. 

SCFC: Most pilots have to develop a more detailed awareness of risks and risk management to stay safe in the air. How has becoming a pilot affected your approach to other aspects of your life?

MP: I think flight training has made me a better driver. It’s made me more aware, more thoughtful about risks, and better at staying calm.

SCFC: People fly for many different reasons - the view, the challenge, the sense of speed, etc. What aspect of being a pilot holds the most interest for you?

MP: Long term, my goal is to fly professionally, but for now, I'm enjoying the challenge and the views that most don't get to experience.

SCFC: Who will your first passengers be, and what fun destinations do you have in mind?

MP: My first passenger was my girlfriend on a Bay Flight Tour. Looking forward, I'd like to fly to Palm Springs for the weekend, or Tahoe in the next year or two. 

Women in Aviation invites Alaska Airlines' Chief Pilot, Kim Gabrelcik, to SCFC on December 6!

The SCFC Women in Aviation is excited to invite Alaska Airlines' Chief Pilot (SFO), Kim Gabrelcik, to lead a talk on December 6. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear first-hand from a top leader in commercial aviation—particularly meaningful for anyone interested in attending the airlines or interested in leadership positions throughout their career. Kim will share stories of her career journey, discuss the leadership challenges and opportunities facing female aviators today, and take audience questions at the end.

All are welcome! Please RSVP below.

RSVP and Learn More

No Moon Flyers - Nov 19

Every month, our Full-Moon Flyers go on a night cross-country on the brightest night of the lunar cycle. It’s a great way to ease back into night currency. But when was the last time you did a night flight when it was really, really dark? On a night with no moonlight?

Join the SCFC Flight Instructor team on Wednesday, Nov 19th at 6:30 pm for a night flying experience designed to take pilots to local airports known for night illusions and tricky approaches. They could be hard to recognize because of limited ground lighting or because the airports themselves tend to create landing illusions on final approach.

This will be a unique one-of-a-kind training experience you won’t want to miss, especially if you haven’t flown at night since you were a student pilot. Sharpen your night skills, whether it be for meeting your night flight experience for a rating, flying a new aircraft in the dark, or just for proficiency.

The No-Moon Flyers training is space-limited, so sign up now to reserve your spot with one of our instructors here at the Flight Center.

Learn more and register