San Carlos Flight Center's Safety Seminars: Recent Episodes
San Carlos Flight Center
One of the first tasks a student pilot learns is to make sure during the preflight check that the proper fuel is loaded into the airplane. This is a critical step since having the wrong fuel onboard leads to engine malfunction and failure. Sadly, misfueling accidents continue to occur on a regular basis. But what is it that differentiates aviation fuels and why is it critical to have the proper fuel for the airplane?
In this seminar, join us as San Carlos Flight Center invites AGI Michel Vidal-Naquet as he gives a high level overview of the different fuels used in aviation: how fuel is produced from crude oil, what are the chemical differences between the grades of Avgas and Jet-fuel, and what is the chemistry of combustion and its relation to aircraft engine design. We will also address other issues such as the use of lead and discuss some misfueling accidents.
The seminar will lead to a deeper understanding of aviation fuel characteristics, and raise awareness about the critical importance of the fuel pre-flight check.
Michel Vidal-Naquet is an advanced and instrument ground instructor, and an instrument rated, commercial pilot with over 700 flight hours. He started flying in 2013 after settling in the Bay area to work as a computer scientist and engineer. His passion for aviation began during his early childhood when his family first took him on international flights. He brings a scientific point of view to his flying, and is always learning.
San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2019 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Space is often limited so it is important to sign up early. SCFC members may choose to watch the seminar live over the web at home, or recorded at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access.
ForeFlight, the iPad based electronic flight tools app, provides a lot of information for pilots to use both on the ground and in-flight. For VFR pilots that have mastered the functionality of ForeFlight relevant to VFR operations, is a different approach required?
If you are a Private Pilot beginning instrument training, you may be feeling a little lost in the fog of how to effectively use ForeFlight for your instrument training. What taps bring up the instrument approach chart? How can you use ForeFlight to plan and file an instrument flight plan?
In this seminar, SCFC Chief Pilot Herb Patten will provide guidance for VFR pilots wanting to get the most out of ForeFlight, as they begin their instrument training. Tune in with your iPad at the ready so you can follow along.
Although we have many seminars devoted to ForeFlight use, this should be an interesting and new approach specifically for instrument students. Find out how to use ForeFlight to become cleared to depart and not have to go missed in your training.
Herb Patten is the Chief Pilot at the San Carlos Flight Center, a CFI and an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, has flown over 1,500 hours into at least 120 different California airports. He is the current chairman 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.
San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation throughh safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2019 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Space is often limited so it is important to sign up early. SCFC members may choose to watch the seminar live over the web at home, or recorded at a later date. Click here or contact a SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access.
San Diego, a city known for its warm temperatures, beautiful skyline and picturesque views is a perfect place for pilots to visit. With decent flight planning, and consideration, a memorable trip awaits you in San Diego; a great cross-country destination from the Bay Area.
San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Kyle Smathers and student pilot Macario Namie to discuss their recent flight training adventure to Palomar, an airport closely located to San Diego. In this seminar, they will cover the various weather conditions encountered during their flight, operations in LAX class B airspace, and how they used the flight to meet the training requirement for a long cross-country flight. Long flights require planning, but often things don’t go to plan. For trips to coastal cities, you’ll need to factor in the possibility of coastal fog affecting your planned departure.
Join us for a unique opportunity to hear from both sides of the cockpit as the trip unfolds into a learning experience for all.
Kyle Smathers started flying in 2011 and is passionate about aviation. Kyle graduated from SJSU with an Aerospace Engineering degree, and now works as a CFI at San Carlos Flight Center. He is a Commercial: ASEL, Instrument Airplane Pilot. He offers training in Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, High performance transition, Complex transition and Flight review.
Macario Namie is a recently certificated private pilot. After he obtains his certificate he plans to make frequent trips to the San Diego/SoCal area to visit family and friends; he thought bringing his CFI along while he was still a student was a great way to become acquainted with the complex area.
There was a time when all airports didn’t have asphalt, pavement, or concrete. Nowadays it’s hard to think about operating at an airport without paved ramps, taxiways, and runways. But if you come across one, will you know how to operate safely?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Chief Pilot Herb Patten to discuss operations at unpaved airports. Sure you were taught soft field takeoff and landing during your private pilot training, but how does that compare to operating on a real soft field like a grass runway. Learn effective techniques for approaching an unpaved runway including what to expect on landing, rollout and taxing along with what hazards exist on unpaved runways. We will also discuss the details of airports with unpaved runways that are in close proximity to San Carlos.
If you are ever interested in what it takes to safely operate at unpaved airports, join us for this seminar.
Many of us have flown in a jet, albeit in the passenger compartment or maybe in a flight simulator. A dream for some is to pilot a jet, and the process is not easy. It takes lots of skill, advanced training, and comprehensive review of systems and operations to fly them.
San Carlos Flight Center invites experienced pilot Kyle Harmon, a new Cirrus Vision Jet owner and type-rating holder to describe the process he took to become certified to fly a this exciting new aircraft. In this seminar he will discuss the two week process he spent at Cirrus Vision Center in Knoxville, TN and the preparation needed to pass his SF50 type rating checkride to ATP standards. Then he will talk about the series of long cross-country flight he took to build time and competency in the aircraft and to relocated the aircraft back to its new home.
Join us to learn about the operations of the first single engine light jet of its kind and the undertaking needed to fly it both locally, and transcontinentally. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity.
At some time, most pilots consider owning their own plane. Have you? Because of the large investment and the risks associated, buying a plane can be as daunting as buying a small home. What costs should you expect? Will owning save you money over renting? What about buying an airplane with partners?
In this seminar, Nick Williams, aircraft owner and commercial pilot along with Alessandro Franco, owner of the San Carlos Flight Center, will share the advantages of buying your own airplane. They will discuss choosing the right airplane, how to navigate the purchase process, and what to consider when inspecting a potential airplane. The challenge of owning an airplane doesn’t end after the initial purchase. It is important to recognize the cost of required maintenance as well as other future expenses. Nick will also highlight how airplane ownership benefited him as a pilot by providing him an opportunity to have a deeper understanding of your airplane systems and maintenance as well as allowing him to further develop as a pilot.
If you ever considered purchasing your own airplane and want to hear firsthand about airplane ownership and learn from the experiences of others, join us for this unique opportunity to become enlightened about airplane ownership.
The Los Angeles area is one of the most challenging and diverse airspaces to operate in, in the entire country. Pilots flying around Southern California experience the stress of dealing with busy air traffic controllers, navigating busy airspace, while simultaneously managing the aircraft. Often while operating under such a workload, we do not consider what could happen if we were to experience a systems failure, but if that happens, how would you handle the situation?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Instrument rated pilot David Mackler to recount his flight to Southern California and his encounter with an electrical system failure while IFR. David will describe at what point in his planned route that he encountered the failure and then share his decision making process and how he evaluated the risk posed by the electrical failure. David will also lead this as a case-study discussion and invite you to put yourself in his place, what decisions you would have made and when, how you would have responded, and how it might have turned out differently. Based on this experience, David will describe the changes he made to his flight planning process, and lastly will stress the importance of effective communication with ATC about inflight threats, especially while operating in close vicinity of a presidential TFR in which David also experienced that day.
Flying long distance and in new challenging complex areas can be fun, but it is important to recognize how as pilots we need to prepare for all outcomes, and be ready to handle the unexpected. Join us for a first-hand account of a pilot’s viewpoint of a complex situation – and how to make the right decision.
Instrument approaches have evolved greatly over the years. From the old VOR/DME approaches to ILS, and RNAV GPS approaches. With each new type of approach came more precision. GPS and WAAS-based instrument approaches have changed the way we fly. These approaches are very precise and have decreased our reliance on ground-based navigation facilities. But what happens if they fail?
San Carlos Flight Center invites Assistant Chief Pilot Brian Eliot to discuss what to do when you are flying an RNAV approach, and encounter an RNAV or WAAS failure. These RNAV approaches are easier to fly and more precise than the traditional approaches. With WAAS and GPS services available 99.99% of the time, it is hard to think about what would happen if they were to fail. Sometimes failures do happen, and it is crucial that we know how to handle them.
Join us, as Brian discusses what to do and how to train for these rare occurrences. You will then be prepared to handle this outage like a pro.
In primary training, pilots learn that visual and vestibular sensations do not necessarily reflect the actual position, speed and attitude of the aircraft they fly. If not recognized and remediated promptly, the discrepancy between sensation interpretation and aircraft circumstances can lead to loss of situational awareness, with possible catastrophic consequences.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Michel Vidal-Naquet, an FAA Advanced Ground Instructor, to explain common sensory illusions such as the graveyard spin, the graveyard spiral, the leans and much more. During this seminar he will describe how these illusions lead to specific accident trajectories, and discuss how they may be recognized. Learn how to positively control your aircraft during all phases of flight, to prevent from these unexpected illusions from happening.
This exploration will help pilots intimately understand the nature of common illusions experienced during different phases of flight, how these illusions relate to specific accidents, and how they can be recognized and overcome in the future. With this knowledge, attendees can become safer pilots with a reinforced understanding of the danger of sensory illusions.
The G1000 offers a plethora of features that are used by both VFR and IFR pilots. All pilots should have a basic level of competence in operation of their G1000 equipped airplane, but it is even more relevant for IFR pilots because of the intricacies of the G1000 and the impacts of failures under IFR.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Brian Eliot, Assistant Chief Pilot, to discuss the most efficient use of the interface. This will improve pilot awareness of the various G1000 modes and understanding of incipient system failures. During this seminar Brian will cover the fundamentals of IFR flight using the G1000 interface, explain how to efficiently use the G1000 for instrument flight, and how to handle failures.
Join us if you are an aspiring IFR pilot and want to know how the G1000 will be a useful aid in your training, or if you are a seasoned IFR pilot looking for a refresher on the G1000 interface.
Preventative Maintenance is often a topic that is confusing for most pilots, including who can perform the work, what work can be done, and how to make it legal. Mechanics work on airplanes daily and are familiar with all types of maintenance, and it’s crucial that pilots are aware of how to properly perform preventative maintenance.
San Carlos Flight Center invites A&P Tim Davis to discuss what preventative maintenance actually is, how pilots can actually perform it, and how to do so safely. In this seminar, Tim will discuss what tools you should have and how to use them safely, along with providing example scenarios based around the limitations of preventative maintenance for pilots. Furthermore, Tim 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.
Winter is here with all its IMC. The game is real and this is what we train for. You probably have a general understanding of IFR charts including Victor airways and MEAs, but this is the last time to really look closely at all the information available on a chart. Do you recall how to decipher MRAs? How about the different types of fixes found along an airway? We will take a close look at some hidden gems of details on the IFR enroute charts.
SCFC Flight Instructor Herb Patten will present a safety seminar that will help to end the confusion. He will demystify the numbers and markings on the FAA’s IFR Low Enroute Charts and help pilots develop a better understanding of the details on these charts. Herb will explain waypoint and navigational aid symbology, and describe the various altitudes shown on the charts. This is a valuable safety seminar for new IFR Students and a great refresher for pilots that are already instrument rated.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity for an in depth review of the common and not so common content on IFR charts.
The Pratt & Whitney PT6 engine is a remarkable story of a remarkable engine. With more than 51,000 engines delivered to power some 130 different applications, the PT6 engine can tell quite a story of creativity and transformation. The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6, produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada, is a turboprop aircraft engine. Experience gained from the PT6A has helped spawn many of the engine families that have made P&WC a world leader in the gas turbine engine.
San Carlos Flight Center invites Captain Ben Taber to discuss the PT6 engine, its functionality, and how its design and performance have contributed to it being a safe and reliable powerplant for decades. In this seminar, Ben will discuss the fundamentals of turbine engines, how they work, and how they’re efficiently used in many different real-world applications. From powering airplanes delivering life-saving equipment across mountainous terrain to daily corporate operations across our world, these engines ensure redundancy and safety for every flight.
Join us for an opportunity to learn more about these remarkable engines, and how they safely propel thousands of airplanes to their destinations daily.
Nut Tree Airport is the gateway to a fun, and memorable day in Vacaville. If you are a fan of great ice cream, cuisine, or shopping this is the destination for you. It is only a short cross-country trip away from the Bay Area.
San Carlos Flight Center invites student pilot Brandan Dadoun to discuss what pilots need to know when flying into the Nut Tree Airport. He will include insights about operating within close vicinity of Travis Air Force Base, a highly active alert area conducting hundreds of military operations daily; along with how to safely operate at the Nut Tree Airport. He’ll cover the different entry/exit procedures to which pilots must follow while operating at VCB, noise abatement procedures, airport lighting, and general operations at a non-towered airport. He will also highlight the importance of flight following allowing for seamless transit and traffic advisories across the active alert area. Lastly, Brandan will also talk about what to do after landing at Nut Tree including airport amenities, aircraft parking, restaurants, and access to the shopping outlets.
Join us to learn more about this easy-to-access, quick day trip from the Bay Area, all while enjoying splendid food, and splurging on your best attire.