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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
Chandler Ball
Joseph Eissa
Chris Gruenwald
Matt MacInnis
Julien Mamet
Brad Milliken
Jerry Natoli
Karthik Padmanabhan
Rajesh Raman

Member Achievements

David Yin
Private Pilot
CFI Kyle Smathers

Raymond Shiau
First Solo
CFI Lukasz Zoromski

Christian Kunglar Instrument Rating
CFI Reed Coté

Porter Schmidt
First Solo
CFI Daniel Sanchez Ruiz

Adrian Hsieh
Private Pilot
CFI Stephen Heesacker

Darin Bernstein
First Solo
CFI Herb Patten

Ameya Raul
First Solo
CFI Russell Bowerman

Qixin Wang
First Solo
CFI Lukasz Zoromski

Silvan Linn
Private Pilot
CFI Kyle Smathers

Christopher West
First Solo
CFI Reed Coté

Jacob Bendick Commercial Pilot
CFI Kyle Smathers

Pop Quiz
A fun monthly
knowledge test.
Editor: Dan Dyer

1. For a new student pilot working on landings, what are the three must-have criteria to meet?
  1. Parallel, over the centerline, and nosewheel protected
  2. Soft, flat, and over the centerline
  3. Gentle, full after yoke, and touchdown within first 100 feet of threshold
2. Which of the following is one of the requirements of a stabilized approach?
  1. 3° approach path
  2. Stable pitch attitude
  3. Aiming point at the runway threshold
3. Which of these is most important to a pilot, meaning should be handled as a priority?
  1. Aviate
  2. Navigate
  3. Communicate
(answers are at the bottom)

Upcoming
SCFC Events and Safety Seminars
Nov 4 (Wed) 7pm 
 Threat and Error Management

 
Destination Nut Tree Vacaville (VCB)

Nov 11 (Wed) 7pm
Upcoming
Events & Trips
 
November Challenge

December Challenge

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

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

C152
N111RK - $125/hr
N530CA - $129/hr
N5369H - $121/hr
N669NE - $125/hr

Piper Archer
N6848J - $163/hr

Piper Warrior
N91338 - $139/hr

Piper Saratoga
N349MA - $345/hr

Beechcraft Baron 
N169SP - $350/hr

Simulators
BATD GNS-430W - $40/hr
 
 (member prices shown) 
Contact Us 
Front Desk
(650) 946-1700
 
info@sancarlosflight.com

795 Skyway Rd, Suite A
San Carlos, CA 94070 
   
Pop Quiz Answers
1.  a
2.  b
3.  a

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November 2020

SCFC News
Flight Center Office Holiday Closures for November
San Carlos Flight Center members should be aware of the following upcoming holiday dates as the SCFC office and maintenance department will be closed.
  • Wed, Nov 11, closed for Veteran's Day
  • Wed, Nov 25, closing early at 2pm
  • Thu - Friday, Nov 26 - 27, closed for Thanksgiving
SCFC members are welcome to fly those days, just be sure to make your reservations by 2pm the day before the office closes. All keys will be in the overnight lockbox. Take a photo of the starting and ending tach/hobbs times and email them to the Front Desk at info@sancarlosflight.com. Thank you and enjoy your holiday flying.

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Reminder: Bay Flight Numbers on the Radio
San Carlos Flight Center is one of the few flying clubs in the country to have an ICAO approved telephone designator that can be used anywhere in the world. Remember, if you are using the Flight Center's "Bay Flight" call sign, the numbers are spoken differently over the radio.  

Unlike altitudes, registration numbers, and radio frequencies, in which pilots must specify each digit separately, telephone designator call signs like "Bay Flight" use what the FAA describes as the combined form.

Thus, Runway 14 is spoken as "Runway One Four", but the callsign Bay Flight 14 is spoken as "Bay Flight Fourteen".

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Words from Mom - Put it back where you found it!
SCFC Member pilots, please return your airplane to its assigned location. Unlike the procedure at the old A/B hangar rows where planes didn't have an assigned spot, in our new location every plane has one fixed parking spot assigned to it.  When done with your flight, that is the only place we should find the aircraft.

   
To aid in this, the assigned location is listed on the keychain for the plane, and there a parking map is on the wall adjacent to the door to the ramp.  Put it back where you found it! 

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The Final Sunset Over the Old SCFC Building
The 655 Skyway Building, original home of San Carlos Flight
Center, as we went from the new club on the field, to the largest and most dynamic flying club in the SF Bay Area, has finally been torn down.

It was originally constructed as a temporary building in the late 1960's and outlasted a number of other structures on the airport.  Over the next year, watch as the space is transformed into new large executive hangars and a small new office building.
Safety
Xwind Sim Setup and Ready in New Location
The Flight Center's Xwind200 crosswind landing simulator has helped many SF Bay Area pilots perfect their crosswind landing technique and become more proficient in dealing with crosswind gusts and turbulence. We are happy to announce that following our recent office move, the crosswind sim is up and running and ready to help you improve your landings.

The training is led by an instructor and follows a structured syllabus with definted exercises that move from simple to complex. From crab to slip practice, to drift cancellation exercises, the training builds muscle memory in your hands and feet to make landings easier and take some of the the risk out of crosswind landings.  

To schedule your crosswind landing training session, contact the Flight Center Front Desk team at (650) 946-1700. Plan to allow up to two hours to work your way through the various crosswind control exercises.

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When is It Safe to Turn Base?
It is a perfect day to be flying the pattern. You seem to be the only one at the airport. The controller is clearing you for the option consistently when you are midfield downwind. What could be better? However, on your next lap in the pattern, you don't get a landing clearance and the radio is quiet. What should you do?

A) Begin your landing sequence and turn base expecting to get the landing clearance soon?

B) Continue downwind because surely the controller will issue you a landing clearance?

At San Carlos Airport, the local custom as advised by the SQL Tower Manager is for pilots NOT to turn base until they have received either a landing clearance or a sequence to follow another aircraft. The sequence of aircraft using the runway for arrival or departure is managed by the tower, sometimes by instructing arriving aircraft to adjust flight path or airspeed as necessary to achieve proper spacing. Keep your eyes outside, and do not turn based until the tower has given you a landing clearance or sequence, and you have verified it is your turn to use final.

So, next time you find yourself in that situation, query the controller and ask for your sequence. It as simple as keying the mic and stating "Sequence" followed by your callsign.

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Understanding Threat and Error Management
Wed Nov 4th 7:00pm
This Wednesday, San Carlos Flight Center has invited Ross  Ferguson, an airline pilot and flight instructor with more 
than 25 years of experience, to share programs that the airlines have used to dramatically reduce the number of accidents and incidents due to human error.

Threat and Error Management (TEM) is a safety management approach that assumes that pilots will naturally make mistakes and encounter risky situations during flight operations. 

In his presentation, Ross will describe ways that these skills can be used by general aviation pilots even if they are not flying for the airlines. Ross will highlight general aviation safety record, TEM skills, situational awareness, and the startle effect. The seminar culminates with a short case study involving a Cessna 172. Don't miss out on this presentation if you want to become a safer and more attentive pilot.

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Insights into Preventative Maintenance
Sat Nov 21 12:00pm
The definition and regulations regarding preventative maintenance can be confusing for some pilots. Who can perform the work? What work can be done? What must be done to make it legal? 

SCFC has invited Airframe & Powerplant mechanic Tim Davis to discuss what preventative maintenance is, how pilots can actually perform it, and how to do so safely. In this seminar, Tim will discuss what tools you should have, how to use them safely, and review scenarios that highlight the limitations of preventative maintenance for pilots. He will cover the basics of how to perform simple maintenance on aircraft including how to remove and install cowlings, install safety wires and cotter pins, put clamps on hoses, and including the all important logging procedure.

If you have ever wondered about how to perform preventative maintenance, or want to have a strong understanding of 14 CFR 43, this is the seminar for you.
Community
Member Profile: Kate Korolevskaya
SCFC: Congratulations on your successful Private Pilot checkride this summer. What got you started? Why do you fly?
KK: Simply because I love it. Flying brings me happiness, and being able to share that happiness with my passengers makes me feel like am truly the luckiest person in the world.

SCFC: How did you first hear about San Carlos Flight Center?
KKThrough the Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. My high school counselor recommended the scholarship program to me based on my love of aviation, and through the application process I learned that San Carlos Flight Center was the flying club associated with the Upwind program.

SCFC: Now that you are a Private Pilot, what do your friends in high school think?
KK(I hope) they think it's awesome! I've taken my best friend on a flight with me, and she absolutely loved it.

SCFC: What is next on your aviation adventure?
KK: I joined the Flight Center's team as Front Desk on the weekends, while I finish up high school. Next week, I am flying down to Paso Robles to cheer on my friend as she competes at a horse show there.

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Volunteers Needed for the Upwind Foundation

The Upwind Foundation and its annual summer flight training scholarship for high school students is entering its ninth year.  Their work has made significant impacts on the lives of many young people, many of whom have gone on to pursue careers in aviation.
 
Upwind is run by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, supported by many volunteers that staff the working committees.  The huge success of the 2019-2020 Upwind year was the direct result of the committees that ran fund-raising efforts, increased outreach and communication to high school students, and coordinated the selection process.  A lot of great people came together with the right kind of energy, and made a difference for young pilots in our area.

We need you!  Anyone can help with the Upwind program.  If you have always wanted to step into a different role and make an impact on the lives of young people and in general aviation, your talent and time would be greatly appreciated.    We encourage you to volunteer.  Contact the committee chairs to let us know you're ready to get involved!
Contact the Upwind Chair, chair@upwindfoundation.com, for more information.
Flight Center.

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Welcome Back CFI Adam Kelly
The Flight Center is pleased to announce the return of Adam Kelly. Adam was an instructor at the Flight Center when we opened. He instructed from 2012 to 2017. He reluctantly left the Flight Center when he got an offer from the airlines and was enjoying that until the ensuing chaos from the pandemic. 

During the 4 years he taught here, he delivered over 2,200 hours of highly effective training and earned the recognition of the FAA by being awarded the Gold Seal. He was also recognized by AOPA in their annual Flight Training Awards. Adam loves to teach and is available to help you meet your aviation goals of a mountain checkout, high performance endorsement, or if you are looking to start training on your next rating. 

Adventure
FOG Full-Moon Flyers - Harris Ranch Oct 4 (Su) 7pm
As days grow shorter and we progress into fall, the Bay Area FlyOutGroup is planning multiple dinner flights on nights with a full moon. This is a great opportunity to bring your family on a short flight and share your love of flying with them. 

Our restaurants all offer outside seating, and tables will be separated to accommodate social-distancing measures. Enjoy the pilot camaraderie from a safe distance, and continue to support local airport businesses. 

SCFC encourages student pilots to talk to their instructors to see how to incorporate the FOG dinner stop into a cross-country flight lesson. It is a great way to make your next flight fun, you get to enjoy a delicious meal, and experience the freedom that comes with your pilot license. Our next dinner flight will be on October 4th, where we'll venture down to Harris Ranch for some tasty farm food and enjoy the cooler fall air.

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Flight Destination: Nut Tree Airport (VCB)

Nut Tree Airport is located Northeast of the town of Vacaville, CA. The airport has a rich history of bringing family fun within close reach of the Bay Area - from the old amusement park to endless cuisine, and shopping venues, you definitely won't be disappointed. Some of us know this airport to be the closest to a full-service ice cream parlor, a great reward for your reluctant family and friend passengers.

Nut Tree is larger than most GA airports with a 4700' ft asphalt runway, a newly refurbished terminal, and a short 5 minute walk away to the main "Nut Tree Plaza". Nut Tree is usually an easy airport to operate around, but not without careful recognition of the active Travis Alert Area just a short distance away. Use caution as there are often numerous aircraft operating in the vicinity of VCB without electrical systems, thus not talking on the radio. We suggest picking up flight following on your way to Nut Tree, as it will allow for seamless transit of the Travis Alert Area. 

Want to learn more? Join us for our FAA Safety Seminar "Destination: Nut Tree" on Saturday November 7, at 12PM. 


Radically improve your crosswind landings
in a safe simulator environment!


A good pilot will avoid extreme crosswinds for safety reasons. But there's no reason you should have to cancel a flight because of light or moderate crosswinds. SCFC's Xwind 200 crosswind landing simulator is a completely safe environment to tackle some of the scariest types of landings, strong and gusty crosswinds. Take up to 2 hours to retrain your muscle memory for crab, forward slip, sideslip, and crosswind touchdown

Sessions are $280 ($250 for SCFC Renting or Web Members).
To schedule your session, talk to our Front Desk team at 
info@sancarlosflight.com or by calling (650) 946-1700.