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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

 

Charles Breed

Danny Choi

Danny Kao

Jose Martinez

Oscar Martinez

Manny Morad

Jordan Naumann

Jake Obermeier

Per Faldborg Olesen

Tanner Piety

Walter Ramseur 

Timmy Truong


Member Achievements

  

Jeffrey Block

First Solo Flight

CFI John Otte

 

Josh Ellis

First Solo Flight

CFI Adam Kelly

 

Weather Pop Quiz

A fun monthly knowledge test.

Herb Patten, editor

1) What does the code "CB" and "TSRA" in this KSFO TAF from December 5th indicate? "TEMPO 0520/0523 TSRA BKN025CB"

 

2) How many airports within 75 NM of KSQL have TAFs?

 

3) How far does the forecast in a TAF extend beyond the center of the airport?
A - 5 NM
B - 5 SM
C - 6 SM

 

4) How often are TAFs published and when?

 

(answers are at the bottom)

Upcoming  
Safety Seminars
and SCFC Events

 

Stormy Weather:
Onboard Wx Radar and Other Less Accurate Storm Detection Systems

Long X-C by Helicopter: Lessons Learned from Traversing the US Low and Slow

Spatial Disorientation

Sim Flying the Bay Tour
(SCFC Members Only)

Upcoming
Events & Trips

Full Moon Flyers
Year-End Holiday Party

FOG Lunch at Nut Tree

The Fleet

Helicopter

Robinson R22

N111AH - $295/hr


C150/C152

N24896 - $102/hr

N8010F - $100/hr

 

C172S - 6-pack

N458SP - $155/hr

N236SP - $155/hr

N21263 - $158/hr

N494SP - $155/hr

N907LP - $155/hr


C172S - G1000

N646DW - $172/hr

N63251 - $177/hr

C182 - G1000

N182BG - $238/hr

N1483L - $243/hr


 Cirrus SR20

N353CA - $255/hr


Piper Warrior

N91338 - $115/hr

 

Piper Archer

N6848J - $135/hr

Piper Arrow

N200KR - $195/hr


Super Decathlon

N66405 - $140/hr

 

Citabria

N59WD - $135/hr

 

Multi-Engine

Beechcraft 76 Duchess

N83ER - $295/hr

 

Multi-Engine

Turbo Seneca II

N14GQ - $330/hr

  

Simulators

Multi-Screened G1000 - $75/hr

Xwind 200 - $250/session

ATD GNS-430W - $30/hr

 

 (member prices shown) 

Contact Us 

(650) 946-1700

 

Email Us 

 

655 Skyway Rd

Suite 215

San Carlos, CA 94070 

   

Pop Quiz Answers 

1) Cumulonimbus clouds and thunderstorms

 

2) Nine (9) airports within 75 NM of KSQL have TAFs: KSFO, KOAK, KSJC, KSUU, KSCK, KMRY, KSNS, KSTS, and KSAC

 

3) 5 SM

 

4) TAFs are issued four times a day between 2320z-2340z, 0520z-0540z, 1120z-1140z, 1720z-1740z. TAFs are amended or corrected if they become unrepresentative of existing or expected conditions.

Holiday Gift Guide

 

SCFC has great gifts for pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike.

 

Click here to check out our unique gifts and experiences. There are gifts to fit any budget, and all are sure to thrill the recipient. 


 

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December 2014

SCFC News

FAA Increases Simulator Time Credits for IFR Rating

Last week the FAA published some good news for SCFC pilots wishing to use our simulators for their instrument ratings or instrument currency.

 

Pilots can now credit up to 20 hours in either the Multi-Screen G1000 or GNS-430W sims, or any combination of the two, toward their instrument rating. This is an increase from the 10 or 15 hours that formerly applied. Also, the FAA has removed language that mandated the use of a view-limiting device when practicing in a simulator, recognizing that simulators can be configured to depict IMC out-the-window views. 


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Helicopter Program Expands

SCFC members have been enjoying flying our R22 helicopter. It is ideal for training and for local trips, with tons of visibility and maneuverability. However its two-seat configuration is limiting when it comes to longer trips with bags or when pilots want to carry more than one passenger. 

We are proud to announce that we recently took delivery of our newest rotorcraft - a Robinson R44 helicopter. The R44 has four seats and extra room inside. As a bonus, it's painted 49ers black and orange and fits right in here in the Bay Area. The R44 will be joining the flight shortly.

 

Additionally, SCFC welcomes helicopter CFI Rebecca Joseph. Rebecca flew helicopters in the US Army and has joined Team SCFC, along with CFI Paul Harris, to share her love of rotorcraft aviation.

 

Take a demo flight today and get your hover on! 

Safety

Keeping Up with Growth - Member Regulations Update and Aircraft Currency

New member regulations go into effect today at San Carlos Flight Center. If you're an SCFC member, please take a look. The new regs take into account the new aircraft types and categories that have joined the fleet, and also capture Flight Center norms of behavior that we've evolved over the last 2+ years. Copies of SCFC Member Regulations are available at the front desk, in all of the aircraft keybooks, and online in the new Member Area of the website.

 

In March 2012, with a fleet of all Cessnas tracking currency at SCFC was pretty easy. Now, with our diverse fleet it's a bit more complicated. Most of the fleet requires a 90-day currency, but complex and high-performance aircraft require 60-day currency. Does flying a Skylane reset currency in a Skyhawk? Flight Center members now can use our SCFC Pilot Currency Requirements matrix to determine what aircraft flight time maintains currency and competency in what other aircraft types. The Pilot Currency Requirements matrix is available at the front desk, and online in the new Member Area of the website. 

Community

Member Profile - Tom Byrne

SCFC: What inspired you to learn to fly?

TB: I love this question because I hear it all the time and I don't understand it at all! Aren't other people born feeling like they just have to fly?

Seriously though, my Dad was an aerospace engineer in Syracuse, NY. Dad shared some very cool experiences with me early on. Sitting up front in the company plane and talking with the pilot; watching Navy pilots fly touch-and-gos on the F/A-18 simulators at the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola; air shows; and the Young Eagles program. I've had a lot of encouragement since I was little.

 

SCFC: What are your aviation goals?

TB: I want to fly my Dad to the Father's Day fly-in breakfast at Marcellus Airport (NK71) in Central NY, where my family is from. And plenty of other missions I don't have room for here!

 

SCFC: What has been the biggest challenge in getting your license?

TB: Deciding that now was the time. I've waited and saved for this for years and always found reasons that it wasn't time yet.

 

SCFC: Who will be your first passenger?

TB: My wife, Meb Byrne, gets first dibs. She has been incredibly supportive as I've learned and has been my copilot since long before I started training. I'm also really looking forward to flying with and learning from Gino Miglio, my very good friend and SCFC ground school classmate.

 

SCFC: What do you do when you're not flying?

TB: I'm an Electrical Engineer at Electric Imp in Los Altos, and I love spending time outside on my road bike or many of the great hiking trails we enjoy in the Bay Area. I look forward to making more time to get back to the Adirondacks, in Upstate New York, where I first fell in love with the outdoors and was working on climbing the 46 named "High Peaks".

 

The Member Profile is a regular newsletter feature,  

designed to help SCFC members get to know one another.

 

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Web Site Members Area

We recently launched a section of the web site dedicated to SCFC Members, which contains a wealth of important information. SCFC Renting and Community Members will find member regulations, currency information, SCFC Private Pilot Syllabus supplements, member regulations, and aircraft currency information. Ground School students have access to all ground school files here.

 

SCFC Members click here to access this new section. As a reminder, you must be logged in to the site in order to gain access. It's just a beginning, but check back often. There are a lot of exciting features for the Members Lounge still to come. Contact the front desk with any questions (650) 946-1700.

 

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High School Pilots - Get Involved

SCFC has four great programs coming in 2015 for high-school age pilots and those interested in aviation. The Young Aviators Weekend (YAW) Program is a club for high-school students that meets every other weekend, starting in January. Each meeting will feature a different activity involving aviation, such as simulator training, learning about aircraft maintenance, taking pictures of aircraft, visiting air traffic control facilities, and assisting at airport events. The club is self-run but works in partnership with San Carlos Flight Center.

 

We are also partnering with a local high school to create an after-school program for students interested in working on building a plane. We currently have two project planes that are in the process of being lovingly restored to service, but are also looking for a kit plane. If you own an airplane kit that you are willing to donate to the school program as a learning adventure for the students, please contact us.

 

2015 will also bring another year of the Upwind Scholarship. Look for fundraising and scholarship information in the new year.

 

Finally, we're excited to announce Flight Center Academy, a week-long aviation intensive summer camp for young people interested in aviation. Brochures will be available in early 2015, with applications accepted in April.

 

2015 will be an exciting time for youth and aviation. Look for more announcements in our newsletter and at SCFC events.

Adventure

FOG SFO Redux

Last week's planned FOG outing to SFO was dampened by low ceilings and bad visibility. While we appreciate the much-needed rain in the Bay Area, we had to postpone the event. It is rescheduled for this Friday, December 12. We will meet in the SCFC Office at 10:00pm for a safety briefing, then depart for SFO. Upon landing we will taxi to Signature Flight Support for a FOG Year-End celebration.

 

Sign up here by Friday, December 12 at 2:00pm. At that time we will make the go/no-go decision based on weather, and send aircraft lists to all the necessary ATC contacts.

 

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Planning 2015 FOG Big Trips

FOG pilots enjoyed many great trips and events in 2015. There was the Yellowstone Mountain Flying Adventure, Santa Maria Wine Tasting Weekend, Edwards Air Force Base Tour, Whitewater Rafting, and monthly lunch and Full Moon Flyers dinner flights.

 

We are currently in the planning phase for 2015 FOG adventures. There will be dates to repeat all of the above, plus some new things to try. FOG has always been about making the most of your pilot certificate and sharing the experience with other pilots and friends. Watch for announcements of upcoming events, and we hope you will join the fun.

 
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Cross-Country Flying - Helicopter Style 

by Helicopter CFI Paul Harris

In early November, the white SCFC Robinson R22 helicopter was returned to Seattle and replaced with the newer, freshly overhauled red one. With winter approaching, it made for an exciting and varied trip.

 

How is this different from a cross-country trip in a fixed wing aircraft? For starters there's speed - the R22 cruises at a modest 85kts fully loaded. That might seem slow (especially given the frequent 25kt headwind) but the unrivaled visibility means you spend much more time with your eyes outside, taking in the breath-taking scenery. Secondly, there's the altitude - helicopters tend to fly a lot closer to the ground which makes the whole experience more visceral and fun, especially flying down winding Oregon valleys! Then there's the versatile landing capability.

 

After departing Seattle Boeing Field (KBFI), unexpected worsening weather left us thankful for the possibility to land in a field (if it came to that) to wait out a heavy rain shower. Thankfully it wasn't needed, and instead we landed at Olympia, WA, under SVFR.  With visibility down to a half mile, thank goodness for the helicopter SVFR exception - ATC clearance and clear of clouds. The return trip took 9.8 hours flight time in total, and we knocked it off in one day. The last leg was flown at night, and the view of San Francisco on one of the clearest nights of the year was simply mesmerizing.

 

To hear more about this trip and about helicopter cross-country flying in general, join us for the seminar, Long Cross-Country by Helicopter: Lessons Learned from Traversing the US Low and Slow on Saturday December 13th at 12:00pm at the Flight Center.


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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.

Save
$$


 

The Account Activation Fee will be waived during December for all new members who were referred in by an existing member, and for all former SCFC Renting Members who reactivate before January 1st.