Club Office Closures for Rest of 2022

The sky will be open 24/7 inviting SCFC pilots to fly every day until the end of the year. But as we head into the holiday season, please take note the following days that the SCFC office and maintenance department will be closed or closing early for the upcoming months of the year. 

If you are planning to fly on a day we're closed, please make your reservation ahead of time so we can put the keys into the overnight lockbox for your flight. And a reminder to email info@sancarlosflight.com with photos of the hobbs and tach time before and after your flight. Thank you and happy holidays.

Clocks Fall Back 1Hr - This Sunday 2am

Remember to shift your clock back one hour as the Pacific Time Zone reverts to Standard Time.

The change occurs at 2:00am so enjoy that extra hour of sleep.

Welcome new SCFC CFI - Shelby Rebholtz

SCFC is happy to announce the newest addition to the flight instructor team – Shelby Rebholtz. He is a Bay Area native, who received his Private Pilot certificate while attending California State University, Chico. He went on to get his CFI in San Diego before returning to the SF Bay Area, and recently completed SCFC's CFI Finishing School to join the team.

The Flight Center has developed a strong and effective Private Pilot syllabus to ensure each student receives the same thorough training in pilot skills, aviation knowledge, and aeronautical decision making. Our training materials combine with our instructor's passion for teaching to make SCFC a national leader in quality aeronautical training.

Next time you come into the club, introduce yourself and say “hi” to Shelby. You may also meet him when he may be covering a lesson for your CFI, or joining you for a night cross-country fight as part of FlyOutGroup event. He is looking forward to passing along his love of aviation to the students he is teaching.

San Carlos Flight Center is always looking for quality flight instructors to join the flight team. If you have recently achieved your instructor certificate, or are working toward becoming a CFI, check out our Careers page for more info.

SERCO Reduces SQL Tower Service Hours

San Carlos Airport control tower is operated and staffed by Serco, a company that contracts with the FAA to run many towers around the US. For whatever reason, Serco has long had a problem maintaining adequate staffing levels at San Carlos Tower, perhaps due to living costs in the area.

Starting November 7th, SERCO has announced that control services at San Carlos Tower will close at 16:45 local time on Mondays and Fridays in order to give the 2 controllers a day off. Pattern work may be limited, although as of time of this newsletter the details of the pattern restrictions have not been announced. After 16:45 on those days, San Carlos Airport will become non-towered. Remember your non-towered airport procedures and attempt to follow the SQL Noise Abatement Procedures as much as you safely can. 

SCFC and San Carlos Airport Management are encouraging Serco and the FAA to find a solution to the tower staffing problems at SQL, but for now, be patient and know that the SQL controllers who are up there are working long hours to provide as many services as they can to SCFC pilots.

Check the NOTAMs before your flights for the most up-to-date information.

Non-Towered Procedures at KSQL

Due to tower staffing falling below critical levels, you may find the tower not operating during the regular scheduled hours (7AM-9PM local). If the tower is closed during regularly schedule hours, expect to see a NOTAM advising of these conditions. In addition, listen for an announcement on the AWOS frequency of 125.9 for a statement that the tower is closed.

When SQL tower closes early, the airport becomes non-towered and non-towered operations should be used. Here are some of the key things to remember.

Radio is not required.  Of course, self-announcing your position will increase safety for all pilots, so please do use the radio.  But be aware that it is legal to operate in an non-towered airport airspace without talking, so be alert for other air traffic and clear your path by looking out the window.

Proper CTAF phraseology is "San Carlos Traffic", <aircraft type and your call sign>, <your location>, <your intentions>, "San Carlos."

Always include altitude in your location, (e.g., "Coyote Hills 2,000") to give others on frequency a better chance of seeing you and avoiding you.

Never use the phrase “Any traffic in the area, please advise.” because it is lazy piloting, doesn't address the fact that there may be aircraft without radios, and because the AIM explicitly says not to.

At non-towered airports, there is no “active runway”, so the phrase “clear of the active” does not convey anything. Instead, “clear of Runway 30” is meaningful.

Be alert to arriving traffic from a variety of entries including straight-in, overhead, base entry. Although the FAA has recommendations for standard entry to a non-towered field, it is likely that San Carlos pilots will use the regular pattern entry paths the tower assigns when the tower is open. Stay alert.

For a refresher on non-towered operations book a flight lesson with one of our CFIs. You can also find more information in our seminar archives including: Operating at Non Towered Airports and Radio Communications Part 3: Non-Towered Airport Communications.

NOAA Weather Specialists - Nov 9 (Wed)

On Wednesday, November 9 at 7 PM join National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather specialists Rick Canepa and Sean Miller to discuss how they create aviation weather forecasts and products. In this seminar learn about atmospheric soundings common to clouds and fog formation that impact aviation. Additionally, listen in as they explain the role of an aviation weather specialist and how they compose TAFs, analyze local weather patterns, and provide crucial weather information for pilots.

Tune into this livestreamed FAA Safety Seminar listed here to learn more about the weather we fly in. Join us, ask questions, and be more weather confident on your next trip.

Eyes Outside! - See and Avoid Traffic

Spotting traffic that may become a collision threat increases with the time spent looking outside, but certain techniques may increase the effectiveness of the scan time.

The human eyes tend to focus somewhere, even in a featureless sky. If there is nothing specific on which to focus, your eyes revert to a relaxed intermediate focal distance (10 to 30 feet). This means that you are looking without actually seeing anything, which is dangerous. To be most effective, the pilot should shift glances and refocus at intervals.

Remember to move your head in order to search around physical obstructions, such as door and window posts and execute appropriate clearing procedures before all turns, abnormal maneuvers, or acrobatics.

Although onboard traffic services has improved, there are limitations. Traffic avoidance should never be based on an onboard traffic display as not all aircraft are displayed (ADS-B Out is only required in certain airspace), and coverage areas are not guaranteed (traffic info depends on being relayed up from ground stations).

The FAA has a number of sources of information for further reading including Advisory Circular 90-48D, Pilots’ Role in Collision Avoidance. Also chapter 14 of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge has advice on Collision Avoidance.

What to Expect when Weather Changes

This Sunday Daylight saving time ends, which is another indication that the seasons are changing. While the seasons in the Bay Area are pretty moderate compared to other parts of the country, late Fall and Winter bring cooler temperatures and rain.

With colder temperatures in the morning, we occasionally experience frost on the airplane surfaces. Frost is hazardous and reduces lift and has been attributed to takeoff accidents. If you encounter frost on preflight, do not try to scrape it off, as you may damage the aircraft’s surfaces. Instead, point the rudder of the aircraft into the sun, and allow the warming air to melt the frost. 

Also associated with late Fall and winter are rainstorms. Flying in the rain per se isn’t hazardous, however rain showers can cause reduced visibility. It isn’t uncommon for weather conditions to rapidly change with rain showers and airports surface conditions to reduce to below VFR minimums.

Keep these factors in mind when you book your next flight. It is always better to cancel a flight if you are not comfortable flying in the rain. Another option is to reach out to one of our Flight Instructors and schedule a flight so you can learn how to safely fly in various weather conditions.

SCFC Member Profile: Thomas Sarlandie

SCFC: How does it feel reaching the end of Private Pilot training?

TS: A mix of pride and relief! This training pushed me far out of my comfort zone and forced me to relearn how to study, practice coordination skills, and to not give up when it feels like I am going backward. It also very much feels like a new beginning, a huge door has been opened and this is very exciting. 

SCFC: What was the final thing that got you to start working toward becoming a pilot?

TS: I was getting too comfortable at home and needed a new challenge. Specifically, I wanted something that would take me away from the computer. I have known since I was a kid that this pilot certificate would be in my life. With a very flexible schedule, working from home and San Carlos 12 minutes away, it was the right time for me.

SCFC: What Private Pilot maneuver do you think was the roughest to learn? What came easiest to you?

TS: Easiest? None ;) I feel like I had to relearn everything in the past few weeks before the check ride. I thought I understood them but to get to the ACS standards I had to backtrack a bit and start again. I am glad I did and feel a lot more in control now.

One thing that came to me pretty easily is communication with ATC. We are lucky to be in a towered environment and to regularly use services in and out of the area.

SCFC: What tips can you give to others in choosing an instructor, how to study, how often to book lessons?

TS: I flew twice a week and think it's a good rhythm. Make sure you get along with your CFI as a human being, you will spend a lot of time together (miss you Derek!). On the ground, I found the study binder book very helpful to make sure I covered everything in the appropriate depth. 

One thing I would recommend to everyone is to take a few flights with a different instructor once in a while. SCFC has a large roster of instructors who work together and are happy to exchange students. Each CFI has a different teaching style and to understand some concepts, it really helps to have them repeated a few times in different ways.

SCFC: What destinations or routes are you looking forward to seeing from the air with your newfound privileges?

TS: I am excited to share the sights of California with my family and friends. My long cross-country solo took me over the central valley, Napa Valley, Point Reyes, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It was amazing. I also look forward to stretching my legs further out. Current plans include Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, and Klamath Falls. Future plans will definitely include Colorado and Mexico.

Recap: CFI Finishing School

October's CFI Finishing School was a great chance for new instructors and CFI candidates to meet and share their love for aviation instruction. Over the course of four days, the group were shown the Flight Center methods for improving ground instruction, and setting up effective flight training scenarios.

The group included some students who recently received their CFI certificate, as well as commercial pilots working toward their CFI checkride, many of whom are hoping to join SCFC's team of instructors.

San Carlos Flight Center uses the course to share techniques for effective instruction, discuss the latest in aeronautical knowledge and tools, and introduce attendees to our fully developed Private Pilot syllabus and CFI materials. The course included four days of instruction, with half of the class augmenting the training with flights to show new instructors the things to do in the air that create safer laboratories for students to learn new skills.

The next course will be in early December. If you are a new CFI looking to improve, or want a path to join SCFC's elite team of flight instructors check out our website for more information.

Edwards AFB Recap

Last month, the FlyOutGroup visited Edwards Air Force Base for the 2022 Aerospace Valley Airshow. Over 30 attendees made the trip, and an armada of aircraft flew down to Victorville for the event. Upon arrival, we got a great look at airliners parked on the ramp from around the world before making the trip to our hotel.

The following day was spent at the base. FOG pilots got a close look at aircraft on the ramp such as the F-35, 747, L-1011, B-1, as well as a visit from the Darkstar aircraft from the summer blockbuster, Top Gun: Maverick. Inside Edwards’ hangar was a STEM expo, with exhibits and guest speakers from NASA, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and more local companies and military units. However, the greatest exhibits were in the skies above, with fly-bys of military and civilian aircraft. NASA pilots even demonstrated multiple sonic booms before the event was capped off by a performance from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

This FlyOutGroup trip was eventful and action-packed. All pilots said they had a great time, and we look forward to arranging similar events in the future. To stay up to date on upcoming events, please visit our FOG event page, here. 

Full-Moon Flyers Hollister - Nov 8 (Tue)

Fall is here, and with cooler temperatures and earlier nightfall. Need to practice night flying, or just want to gain more experience at night? Come join us for dinner at Seabrisa's Eatery in Hollister (CVH) on November 8th at 7PM.

On the way down, soak in the gorgeous sunset over the coastal mountains before descending into Hollister Airport. Make sure to remain clear of the San Jose final approach course, and consider talking to NorCal Approach to have an extra set of eyes looking out for you. Park in transient parking, and then walk across the street to the local airport restaurant – Seabrisas! A local favorite for many pilots in the area, they’re known for their unique flavors and vegetables grown from many of the local farms.

After dinner, Hollister is a great place to work on night landings or fly to San Jose (SJC) to complete your night requirements there. With big runways, it’s easy to make the landings to a stop-and-go, and you’ll enjoy the challenge of flying alongside jet traffic.

Everyone is welcome to join us, so please RSVP here and we’ll see you at the event.

FOG Lunch: Stockton - Nov 20 (Sun)

For November, join FOG on a fly-out lunch to Stockton! Top Flight Grill is located in the airport terminal building and a quick walk from Transient Parking or the Atlantic Aviation FBO. The restaurant has typical American fare, as well as Mexican-inspired cuisine.

Stockton Airport is a great cross-country destination for students, with ATC services and a long runway. Grab your CFI and gain experience flying into new airports and utilizing FBO services. Pilots can also test their instrument skills with a variety of instrument approaches into the airport, including an ILS and RNAV approach to Runway 29R.

Interested in going? Sign up below so we can get a headcount for food, and we’ll see you in Stockton at 12:00 PM on November 20!