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The Centerline
The newsletter of San Carlos Flight Center
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Member News
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Member Achievements
Noah Courtney
Private Pilot
CFI Lukasz Zoromski
Philip Mathews Private Pilot CFI Daniel Sanchez Ruiz Travis Bender Instrument Rating CFI Russell Bowerman Abdel Zaro Private Pilot CFI Russell Bowerman Nico Ghilardi First Solo CFI Stephen Heesacker Kate Korolevskaya Private Pilot CFI Daniel Stellini
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Pop Quiz
A fun monthly
knowledge test.
Editor: Herb Patten
1. Smoke is a hazard to pilots because it - reduces visibility.
- increases density altitude.
- disrupts air flow over the wing.
2. In a METAR or TAF, what is the code for smoke?
- SM
- MK
- FU
3. TFRs for wildfire suppression
- are always circular in shape.
- never exceed 5,000 AGL.
- are published 24 hours in advance.
- None of the above
(answers are at the bottom)
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Upcoming
SCFC Events and Safety Seminars
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Sep 2 (Wed) 7pm
Sep 9 (Wed) 7pm
Sep 12 (Sat) 12pm
Sep 16 (Wed) 7pm |
Upcoming 
Events & Trips
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The Fleet
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C182 - TAA
N123TZ - $228/hr
N182EE - $234/hr
C182 - Analog N9894E - $195/hr
N236SP - $165/hr
N21591 - $165/hr
N996RA - $154/hr
N2370F - $154/hr
C152
N111RK - $125/hr
N530CA - $129/hr
N5369H - $121/hr
N669NE - $129/hr
Piper Warrior N91338 - $139/hr
Piper Saratoga
N349MA - $345/hr
Beechcraft Baron
N169SP - $395/hr
Simulators
(member prices shown)
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Contact Us
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Front Desk
(650) 946-1700
795 Skyway Rd, Suite A
San Carlos, CA 94070
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Stay Informed
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SCFC News
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A Fresh Start in a New Location - 795 Skyway
Today begins a new era for San Carlos Flight Center as we move to our new location on the airport, 795 Skyway Road, Suite A, adjacent to the control tower. The owners of the old Skyway Building are tearing it down to make space for larger executive hangars. It has been in the works for a while, and the SQL Airport Managers have been refurbishing the 795 building for us to call home.
 After weeks of construction, the building is finally ready for us to move in. Stop by and see us at our new home. It may take a couple of weeks to get fully situated in our new home, so expect to see members and staff moving boxes and decorating. We look forward to being able to welcome the airport community to the new Flight Center suite soon.
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 Welcoming New Leadership
SCFC welcomes Alessandro Franco as the new owner. Beginning in January of 2020 , SCFC's founder, Dan Dyer, has been working toward retirement. Last month, he transitioned the role of Chief Pilot to Herb Patten, who takes over as head of safety and training for the club. Dan's other role, that of Flight Center owner, was recently transferred to Alessandro Franco. Alessandro has been involved in SCFC for 3 years, most recently as  the Director of Operations. He has asked that Dan stay on staff in Alessandro's old role to provide for a smooth transition of mana gement responsibility.If you have any questions or comments for Alessandro, or would like to introduce yourself, he can be reached at [email protected].
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Safety
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Hazards of Smoky Skies: VMC into IMC
When we hear of accidents related to VMC flight into IMC conditions, we usually imagine fog, clouds, or possible a moonless night flight over the mountains. But it is fire season in California and pilots in the area may suddenly find their route visibility impacted by wildfire smoke. If your route of flight takes you through parts of California currently experiencing wildfires, you should take precautions. If altering your route or postponing the flight aren't desirable options, be vigilant about in-flight visibility and be prepared to divert to avoid instrument conditions.
 If it is been awhile since you have practiced attitude instrument flying for use in emergencies, this is a great time to review. Contact a flight instructor and get started on an early flight review, or just an emergency procedures refresher.
There are other things to note. With all the particulate matter in the air, evening fog can form more quickly. Also, all those ash and smoke particles cannot be good for the air filters and engine, so it really is not a great time to try to log IMC time.
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 What's Special about Special VFR?
Imagine that a local pilot has been preparing to depart for a long cross-country flight. The long-range forecast had predicted clear skies and tailwinds, but on the day of the departure the current METAR at San Carlos Airport is reporting limited visibility, smoke, and haze.
KSQL 01005KT 2 1/2SM FU HZ SCT010 21/17 A2990
This means the airport is below VFR conditions, so the flight is scrapped, right? Disappointing. But the pilot knows that the METAR technically only covers the vicinity of the airport. If they could only depart the airport they might make it out of the smoke and be in the clear. What should the pilot do?
Special VFR allows a pilot to operate in the controlled surface airspace at an airport with only 1 SM visibility and remaining clear of clouds. While it may be tempting to use SVFR to depart an airport, it does increase your risk. After departing, you could find yourself in conditions much worse than you expect, especially with smoke (FU) in the vicinity. Remember METARs and TAFs do not describe flight conditions at altitude or after leaving the airport.
 Using the SVFR privileges to land at an airport may pose less risk, if you are in a position to observe the conditions around the airport and make a better determination of your ability to keep safe and clear of clouds on the way in.
Remember, the details for SVFR change after sunset and before sunrise, with the added risk of darkness. More details are in regulation ยง91.157.
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 Avoid the Dome at HAF!
What is that large white sphere just South of Half Moon Bay Airport? Is it the a giant golf ball? Is it a self-contained ecological research station? No, it is a large, very noticeable radome, and it is the property of Pillar Point Air Force Station. Inside is a 44-foot telemetry dish that receives signals from vehicles in space.
A recent change to the Chart Supplement added the note that pilots should "Avoid flying directly over the Pillar Point Air Force Station". That note, combined with the occasional aerobatic activity that sometimes occurs on the southwest side of Half Moon Bay Airport make that area a good place to avoid.
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 Handling a Blown Tire on Landing - Wed Sep 2, 7pm
The Safety Seminar being presented this Wednesday, September 2 at 7:00pm, is about what to do if a tire blows on landing. SCFC Chief Pilot Herb Patten and SCFC pilot Alessandro Franco will discuss how their recent experience of a blown tire on landing at San Carlos Airport could help other pilots.
There are many options a pilot can choose: try and exit the runway and make it back to parking, clear the runway, or stop on the runway and request assistance. What would you do? Join us either live or in the video archive to find out the right choice.
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Member Profile: Greg Jordan
SCFC: You joined SCFC early this year. Where were you flying before?
GJ: I joined SCFC to do my flight review. I hadn't been flying for ten years so I needed to scrape off layers of thick rust. I knew that SCFC would maximize safety, proficiency, and adhere to a disciplined approach for getting me back up in the air. I've done most of my flying in Northern California, but I've also flown some in the San Diego area.
 SCFC: Over the years, how many flight instructors have your trained with? What did you take away from them?
GJ: I've trained with about six flight instructors over the years. I earned my license here at KSQL across the field. Once I got close to my checkride, I flew with a couple of other instructors. Then the chief pilot would conduct the final phase check. I've found that each instructor tends to have their own style so you benefit from different people focusing on different details. I've learned something from each of the CFIs I've flown with.
SCFC: How many SF Bay Area airports have you landed at so far?
GJ: I've landed at all of them, and a total of 26 area airports if you extend the range a bit. I look forward to checking them all off of my bucket list. Mariposa-Yosemite KMPI is still on my list. I'll venture there once the smoke calms down.
SCFC: Of all the cool things about flying, what one aspect do you connect with most?
GJ: When you fly, you are commander of a little spaceship. You see terrestrial life chugging along down below, but for a brief hour or so you are free of that common world. Yet you are still in the domain of gravity, nature, mountains, and other flying machines, so keeping focused and safe is paramount. It is spiritual and rewarding, and I learn something every time I fly. If you're a pilot, you're nodding right now.
SCFC: What big flight mission do you someday hope to fly?
GJ: My sister-in-law and her family just moved to a new home right outside of Boise, Idaho. How cool would it be to fly round trip from San Carlos to Boise? I am currently getting checked out in the Cessna 182, and will follow with the SCFC mountain checkout. My big Boise flight mission isn't too far out of sight!
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"Live" ATC - Ask a Hayward Airport Controller
It is always great when pilots and controllers can meet and share perspectives. It is crucial that pilots fully understand ATC instructions and local procedures, and controllers can do their job better with an understanding of pilot workload considerations.
 On Saturday, September 26, 12:00pm, SCFC invites Michael Osburn, Air Traffic Controller at Hayward Executive Tower, for an FAA safety seminar. We have asked him to discuss airspace, importance of readbacks, runway safety issues, noise abatement procedures and more. Michael will be open for questions from Bay Area pilots, and can either be submitted live during the presentation, or by submitting your questions in advance here.
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EAA Awards Flight Scholarship to Jayden Chow
 The Ray Foundation has again awarded aviation scholarships to select EAA chapters nationwide, providing money for flight training for selected individuals aged 16-19.
This is the second straight year that local EAA Chapter 20 has been a part of this program. Their scholarship committee reviewed a number of outstanding candidates and after careful consideration, selected Jayden Chow. Jayden has been taking flight lessons for over a year, and now he can use these funds to accelerate the pace and meet his long-term goal of receiving his private pilot certificate on his 17th birthday, which is this coming February. Join us in congratulating local student pilot, Jayden.
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Adventure
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New Dates for Colorado Trip - Sep 30 to Oct 4
The Colorado FOG trip has been postponed not cancelled: New Planned date is 9/30 - 10/4. A quick look at the below map will show that the wildfires are not limited to the Bay Area.
 Our intended base of operations for the trip is the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, which is also under threat of fire. Many Colorado and Idaho mountain passes are not flyable due to wildfire smoke. The auto route between Eagle and Glenwood springs has been intermittently closed. As of this writing the Glenwood fire is up to 29% contained with full containment expected Sept 1. These new dates were chosen to yield greatest probability of safe weather between summer fires and approaching winter ice.
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FOG Full-Moon Flyers Dinner at Harris Ranch - Oct 4
Harris Ranch restaurant now has socially distanced tables for both indoor or outdoor eating. A great place for the Bay Area FlyOutGroup's September Full-Moon Flyers dinner on Sunday, October 4th.
 Join us and see the new setup for yourself.
Enjoy a great meal outdoors, update night currency, and meet other FOG pilots (from 6' away). Hope to see you there!
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November FOG Challenge - Fly the San Andreas Fault
 Your November FlyOutGroup challenge is intimately tied to California's seismic history - to fly the length of the San Andreas fault, the boundary between surface plates whose occasional shifts send California residents scrambling for shelter. GA pilots are uniquely able to visualize the fault from above along ridge lines and river valleys.
Save up your time and fuel to fly the California San Andreas Fault. And if you do not fly it, it will be your fault because you have the entire month of November to accomplish this mission.
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Just Getting Started? SCFC partners with
SQL Aviation Supply
Save $$ this month and next by buying all your training supplies in one place. SCFC has partnered with San Carlos Aviation & Supply again to get a package price on the materials you need to start flight training.
$165 package price includes: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. Airplane Flying Handbook, FAR/AIM, Chart Supplement, San Francisco Sectional Chart, San Francisco Terminal Area Chart, pilot logbook, VFR kneeboard, stall horn tester, aluminum E6B, rotating chart plotter, ASA Private Pilot Test Prep. The $285 package includes all of the items in the $165 package plus your own headset.
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