In This Issue
SCFC News
Safety
Community
Adventure
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Welcome New Members
Georg Brambach Stephen Keteltas
Ethan Lindstrom
Arun Moorthy
Kiran Rao
Daniel Rodriguez
Zev Solomon
Gilles Yvetot
Member Achievements
Patrick Shea
Multi-Engine CFI
CFI Brian Eliot
Igor Melnyk
Private Pilot
CFI Patti Andrews
Matt MacInnis
Private Pilot
CFI Patti Andrews
Obed Han
First Solo
CFI Lukasz Zoromski
Simon Li
First Solo
CFI Justin Chow
Davide Semenzin
Private Pilot
CFI Sid Basu
Nico Ghilardi Instrument Rating CFI Russell Bowerman
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A fun monthly
knowledge test.
Editor: Dan Dyer
1. Why is engine management an important topic in flight training?
a) All pilot certificates also authorize the holder to act as a mechanic.
b) Most small aircraft do not have sophisticated ability to manage themselves through changes in elevation, temperature, and air density.
c) The FAA pilot safety program is funded primarily from taxes on engine manufacturers.
2. Which can reduce engine function and cuase damage to the engine?
a) Operating with the fuel/air mixture too lean
b) Operating with the fuel/air mixture too rich
c) Operating either too rich or too lean
3. Upon seeing which of the following indications would a pilot strongly consider an emergency landing?
a) Low oil pressure
b) Low engine temperature
c) Low bus voltage
(answers are at the bottom)
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Upcoming SCFC Events and Safety Seminars |
Jul 3 (Sat) 12-2pm
Jul 7 (Wed) 7pm
Jul 10 (Sat) 12pm
Jul 14 (Wed) 7pm
Jul 17 (Sat) 12pm
Jul 21 (Wed) 7pm
Jul 24 (Sat) 12pm
Jul 28 (Wed) 7pm
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Upcoming
Events & Trips
Airport of the Month
Full-Moon Flyers: Santa Rosa (STS)
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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
N106RA - $165/hr
N137ME - $165/hr
N21591 - $165/hr
N236SP - $165/hr
N410BS - $165/hr
N458SP - $165/hr
C172R
N996RA - $154/hr
N2370F - $154/hr
C152
N111RK - $125/hr
N530CA - $125/hr
N5369H - $121/hr
C210
N210VV - $350/hr
Piper Archer
N6848J - $163/hr
Piper Saratoga
N349MA - $345/hr
Baron
N169SP - $350/hr
Simulators
AATD G1000 - $75/hr
BATD GNS-430W - $40/hr
(member prices shown)
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Contact Us
Front Desk
(650) 946-1700
Email Us
795 Skyway Rd, Suite A
San Carlos, CA 94070
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Pop Quiz Answers
1. b
2. c
3. a
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Flight Center Office Closed on July 4th |
Club members can still rent aircraft. Make your aircraft reservation at least a day in advance so that we can leave the airplane keys in the night lockbox.
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The Return of the SCFC BBQ! |
Ever since our 8th Anniversary BBQ got cancelled last year due to COVID, the Flight Center community really hasn't had a chance to gather as a group in our usual manner. Luckily, enough progress has been made in vaccination of pilots and their families, we again began regular summer activities, starting with a big Welcome Back BBQ today at 12 PM!
The event was in accordance with state and local health guidance, and was one of the largest outdoor events San Carlos Flight Center has ever hosted. So many people were ready to come together as a pilot community. There music, food, and other fun activities.
Prior to pandemic shutdown, SCFC was known for being the center of the pilot community at San Carlos Airport and we are ready to take the lead again. If you're ready to help, contact our front desk (info@sancarlosflight.com) or Alessandro (alessandro@sancarlosflight.com) and find out how to join our Special Ops events team.
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Where There is Smoke, There is Fire! |
Thanks to California's drought conditions and the overall increase in temperature, the California wildfire season is in full swing. While San Carlos pilots have not yet been severely impacted by wildfires it is only a matter of time before that happens. Wildfires can start anytime and they create a hazard for aviation.
An obvious hazard is the massive smoke produced by these fires and the resultant health hazards. The smoke also creates limited visibility that many times make VFR conditions difficult if not impossible. Another big risk factor to pilots are the TFRs that pop-up around wildfires to allow a safe operating environment for firefighting aircraft.
What to do? If you see smoke, avoid the area. Check TFRs before your flight. On long flights, use cockpit resources that can display TFRs. For details on firefighting operations watch SCFC's recorded safety seminar “CAL FIRE – An Insight to Fighting Fires From the Sky”.
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Ongoing Issues with SQL Tower Staffing |
Unlike some other towers in the Bay Area, the control tower at San Carlos Airport is what the FAA calls a "contract tower". Contract towers are air traffic control towers that are staffed by employees of private companies rather than by Federal Aviation Administration employees. The private company that staffs San Carlos tower is Serco.
Based on a number of factors, San Carlos Tower has not been fully staffed for many years. Because of this staffing shortage, service to pilots is often greatly reduced. The controllers may limit the number of airplanes in the pattern or even not allow pattern work. While this is inconvenient, places extra strain on neighboring airports, and can lead to delays in receiving services, the bigger concern is what a reduction in staffing means for safety. While everyone is human and makes mistakes, working two jobs at once, which SQL controllers are often called to do, often leads to mistakes.
While the PIC is always responsible for the safe outcome of all flights, be especially aware when operating in and around San Carlos.
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Answer to Preflight Inspection Challenge |
If you were at the BBQ, you might have challenged yourself to find all the squawks intentionally created by the SCFC Maintenance Team to help draw attention to preflight safety.
Here is a complete list of the discrepancies you should have caught:
Cabin
- POH/W&B missing
- Compass correction card missing
- Fuel selector valve handle not secured - screw missing
- Pilot (left) seat off tracks, forward seat stop missing
- Turn coordinator loose in instrument panel
- Bonus - Avionics CBs all missing their hold down nuts
- Bonus - Right seat belt buckle housing damaged
Empennage
- Rivet missing from static wick on left elevator
- Lower rudder hinge bolt loose, rudder can exceed max deflection
- Right rudder control cable (under right horizontal stabilizer) has a loose nut (missing cotter pin)
- Inspection/Access panel under right horizontal stabilizer not secured, only held in by one screw
- Beacon light lens clamp missing
Engine (Everyone got these, except for the bonus one!)
- Vacuum pump cooling hose/shroud off (visible from oil filler door)
- Cylinder 1 spark plug lead loose/off
- Starter motor lead disconnected (that was the white thing, some people called it a ground)
- Cylinder 2 fuel injector line disconnected
- Tool left on top of engine
- Bonus - Alternator tensioner bolt missing safety wire
Wings
- Screwdriver in right wing courtesy light panel (nobody found this)
- Right fuel cap missing orange rubber check valve (nobody even checked)
- Screws missing from top of right wing tip (nobody got this, either)
- Right flap control rod jam nut loose
- Left flap loose/missing roller (most people noticed it was loose, but didn't catch why)
- Fuel sump valve in left wing missing safety wire
- Left aileron center hinge pin installed backwards and not secured by screw and nut
- Super Special Bonus! - screws missing from right wing root
Landing gear
- Hydraulic fluid leaking at top of right landing gear strut (actually, it was a leaky ziplock bag of hydraulic fluid that I stuck inside the fairing).
- Nose wheel axle bolt nut loose/missing cotter pin.
- Left brake back plate not tightened down (almost everyone missed this).
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SCFC Member Profile: Jeanne Depman |
SCFC: Where are you at in your training path?
JD: I am pre-solo. My lesson this week was my longest flight to date - two hours! We flew to the Altamont Pass area and worked on ground reference maneuvers.
SCFC: What motivated you to begin flight training?
JD: An encouraging husband, and my colleagues and clients. I had thought of a career as a pilot when I was in eighth grade but followed a different path in college. After many months in 2020 of being homebound, the pilot idea resurfaced. Shout out to Lukasz who took me on a demo flight in January and set me on my new challenge.
SCFC: What thoughts are going through your mind when driving to the airport for a lesson?
JD: Right rudder, right rudder, right rudder...and wings level.
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SCFC: Have flight training and flying changed how you approach anything else in your life?
JD: Rather than change, it builds on a lifestyle of curiosity and commitment, instilled by my parents!
SCFC: What new skill or knowledge item did you find particularly challenging?
JD: Right now, my power-off stalls need the most improvement, but I'll master them under Sydney's stellar instruction and encouragement!
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Calling All Pilots - FOG/Upwind Dinner - Fri Jul 23 |
After a long wait, FOG is excited to re-introduce the Full Moon Flyers dinner flights! Every month, on an evening with a full moon, FOG invites all pilots to fly up to an airport for dinner, and then enjoy the flight home under the stars. The full moon is beautiful, and many pilots use this opportunity to complete their night training with a CFI or just to stay night current.
This month, FOG is joining forces with the Upwind Summer Scholarship and is hosting a Full Moon Flyers dinner at Santa Rosa (STS) on Friday, July 23rd at 7 PM. In years past, FOG pilots typically open up seats on their planes to families of the scholarship winners, making this event a special tradition to introduce them to the wonderful community behind General Aviation. Plan to park at Sonoma Jet Center around 6:30-6:45 PM, and we'll all meet on the outdoor patio seating of Sky Lounge Steakhouse and Sushi Bar at 7 PM. Afterward, enjoy the moonlight flight home, taking in the spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline at night.
This event is very popular, so please make sure to book your plane early, and RSVP here. If you are able to take passengers, please indicate that, as well. This promises to be a great event, and we look forward to reconnecting with everyone!
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Airport of the Month: Lampson Field (1O2) |
July's Airport of the Month is Lampson Field (1O2) located just south of Lakeport, and with great views of the lake seen from downwind while in the pattern. The airport is relatively quiet and is a great place to practice landings after a cross-country flight.
At the airport, enjoy lunch or dinner with fresh, local ingredients from Red’s at the Skyroom. This new restaurant features West Coast-fare with a variety of entrees and drinks for you and your passengers. With patio seating, this is a great place to replenish after a training flight or as a break on a long cross-country trip to the north. After your meal, venture around the ramp area to see a collection of vintage aircraft from a variety of eras.
The airport also has an RNAV approach if you want to practice your instrument skills, and features 100LL fuel at a self-serve pump. Pilots flying out of this airport should consider density altitude due to the increased elevation and habitually high temperatures seen in the summer months.
If you visit Lampson and Red’s at the Skyroom, please let us know how it is!
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FOG Lunch San Luis Obispo - Sun Jul 11 |
After a long absence, the SF Bay Area FlyOutGroup is excited to bring back monthly lunch flights starting in July. On Sunday, July 11, we will Venture down the Salinas Valley to San Luis Obispo (SBP) and enjoy brunch or lunch at the Spirit of San Luis Restaurant. Known for their California-fare, their omelets, scrambles, and hamburgers sample local ingredients and are served alongside an excellent outdoor view of the airport ramp and runways.
On the flight down, travel down by Monterey Bay, the Salinas Valley, and then descend over the rolling hills south of the Paso Robles VOR. San Luis Obispo Airport also has a variety of instrument approach procedures, including an ILS, RNAV, and VOR approach. This is a great opportunity to fly down earlier in the morning and log a few approaches for currency or practice with a safety pilot or CFII, and then treat yourself to some great food afterward. On the return flight home, treat your passengers to a flight up the Central California Coast if you’d like, with gorgeous views of Big Sur, the coastline, Bixby Bridge, and more.
Please plan to arrive at the short-term transient parking a few minutes before noon, which is located on the northwest side of the control tower. Leave the ramp, and the restaurant is a two-minute walk to the north.
As this is the first FOG lunch in a while, this event will be popular, so please make sure to add your name to the RSVP database and book your plane early! We look forward to seeing you at the Spirit of San Luis!
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