SQL Runway Construction Update

The main portion of the SQL runway construction project finished on time – actually a day early! The runway is open and the contractors repaired all the failed portions of pavement. There is still some remaining work to be done.

The current runway striping is temporary – you may have noticed some markings that have not been completed. There will be a night closure, from November 2nd at 7PM until November 3rd at 7AM, to finalize the runway striping and marking. Keep an eye on NOTAMs before you fly. 

Runway/Taxiway Lights

Part of the runway rehabilitation project was replacing airfield lighting with new LED fixtures. Due to supply issues, only the taxiway lights have been replaced with LEDs so far.

The incandescent runway lights were reinstalled and will remain functional until the LED runway light fixtures arrive in early 2024. There is additionally an issue with the regulator that controls the taxiway lights, so the taxiway lights are only functioning intermittently. Until the regulator is replaced, you will see "!SQL 10/058 SQL TWY ALL LGT U/S" on the NOTAMs for SQL.

The runway lights are working – the NOTAM is only for the taxiway lights, so the airport is still usable at night.

SQL Tower Update

Thank you to everyone who joined us on November 10th for the SQL Airport User Meeting with representatives from Serco. It was a great turnout and helped reiterate the need for professional and reliable air traffic services at SQL.

Fortunately, a few new controllers have been onboarded and certified at SQL Tower. A couple of them are former FAA controllers who worked at SFO, and a couple of them are former military controllers. They are all still new to SQL, so there will be some minor growing pains, but we've noticed service and professionalism begin to trend in a positive direction.

Unfortunately, we've still had issues with pattern operations being denied. If you are denied pattern operations or other normal requests, please let us know. Serco's leadership states that they are committed to working with us to restore full levels of service, so we need to let them know when there are issues.

Meet New CFI Team Members

Each year, SCFC holds three hiring periods for CFIs looking to join the team. The interview process is rigorous, as is the three-week CFI Onboarding program all new CFIs complete. New CFIs are thoroughly checked out in our base fleet aircraft, all Club policies and procedures, and spend quite a bit of time studying the Flight Center's syllabus and instruction methods. During October, we welcomed in three new Flight Instructors, some of whom you may remember from their previous involvement at SCFC.

Travis Bender began flight training as a recipient of the Upwind Summer Scholarship Program, and continued through his other ratings while finishing school in Seattle, WA. He has worked with the Flight Center front desk team, with SCFC Mareting, and been involved in coordinating a number of FlyOutGroup events. Now he's giving back to the community as a Flight Instructor.

David Brenner also began as a pilot with Private pilot training at San Carlos Flight Center, while working as an Paramedic and educator. He regularly presents as part of SCFC's safety seminar program and has done so for years. We are excited to expand his teaching role as one of our new Flight Instructors.

Garrett Mifflin is from northern Utah, the type of kid that was always glued to the window on airline flights enjoying the view. After graduating the University of Utah and working in the fitness, he moved quickly through flight training from private pilot to certified flight instructor, and moved to the Bay Area with is wife and toddler to join the Flight Center.

These three join the SCFC CFI team and are ready to help you with your next aircraft checkout, flight review, or even just a recurrency flight. Say "Hello" when you see them at the Clu

Upcoming POTUS TFRs

We received an early notification that there will be VIP POTUS TFRs in effect from November 14-18, while global leaders gather in San Francisco for the APEC forum. The exact times and locations of the TFRs are not published yet, but there will likely be disruptions to GA flying in the Bay Area. Remember to check NOTAMs and read them thoroughly. These TFRs are not as restrictive when we are in the outer ring instead of the inner ring, although you still cannot conduct flight training within the TFR. Once there is more information about these, we will send an update.

Flying When It’s Getting Dark Early

Daylight saving time ends November 5^th. This means that sunset changes from 6:07 pm the day before to 5:06 pm on Sunday, November 5th. What should pilots be aware of with this change? Pilots should be aware that position/navigation lights must be turned on at sunset and remain on until sunrise. 

The other factor to consider is how the earlier sunset impacts flight training and pilot “night” currency. Many local airports have voluntary noise abatement procedures the restrict flights at night. Here is a review of some of the key ones.

San Carlos airport has a restriction on pattern work beginning two hours after sunset on weekdays and beginning at 6:00 pm on weekends.

Half Moon Bay airport also has the same restriction: no pattern work beginning two hours after sunset on weekdays and beginning at 6:00 pm on weekends.

Other airports have restrictions as well. Hayward doesn’t allow touch & go or stop and go operations after 9pm. Livermore requests pilots not to fly after 10 pm. 

Remember the regulations about carrying passengers 1 hour after sunset. This becomes more relevant as the sun sets early.

A great way to refamilarize yourself with night flying precautions is to join the No-Moon Flyers events on Sunday, November 12th. Contact the front desk for more info.

Use of Bay Flight Call Sign

San Carlos airplanes are assigned Bay Flight call signs, e.g., Bay Flight 31. So when should you use it? All the time. Yes, we use it all the time.

We have received some recent feedback form the San Carlos Tower that some pilots are filing IFR flights plans using the tail number, e.g., N236SP rather than BYF17. This will create a bit of confusion since the filed flight plan call sign must match the ADS-B Flight ID. All of our airplanes are configured to use the Bay Flight call sign as the Flight ID. Not familiar with how to file your IFR flight plan using the Bay Flight call sign? If so, ask one of our knowledgeable CFIs. If you are using ForeFlight, watch this short little video on how to do that.

What about when operating at a non-towered airport? Shouldn’t I use the tail number? No, you still use your call sign. Announcing on CTAF you are N236SP while showing up on ADS-B as BYF17 will be confusing to other pilots that may be using tools like ForeFlight for situational awareness.

SCFC Member Profile: Joe Chernesky

SCFC: How long have you been a part of San Carlos Flight Center?

JC: I joined the flight club earlier this year as part of bringing N842LA to the flight line. I received my PPL in 2009 out of KSQL and have been looking for a way to get back to the airport. I live in San Carlos so the club with its great pilot community was a natural fit.

SCFC: The Diamond DA40NG is a lot of airplane. How did you decide to make it your next plane? Had you owned other planes before?

JC: I received my PPL in a C172SP and after a few years break started flying again in 2017. An instructor friend suggested I try the DA40NG and once I flew it I knew it was the plane I wanted to fly. As soon as I lifted off the runway, the view from the cockpit, the ease of the FADEC, and overall flight characteristics made me fall in love with it.

SCFC: You’re instrument rated for airplanes, which requires solid understanding of all the avionics onboard the aircraft for flying approaches and staying in protected airspace. Did you do your instrument training in a glass cockpit?

JC: The utility and safety of the G1000 was important to me, so I started my primary training in the 172SP G1000. That made the transition to training for my instrument rating a lot easier. The G1000 NXi in the DA40NG combined with the single lever FADEC which manages the engine and prop automatically by simply setting the power level makes it very easy to learn and fly IFR. I also used the Garmin PC Trainer and the simulator to master the G1000 while early in my instrument training. The safety and ease of use of the G1000 once I became proficient makes me feel very confident and safe flying IFR.

SCFC: What sort of adventure flying have you done?

JC: I have mostly stayed within California for day trips North and South, and I fly to Lake Tahoe quite a bit (one reason I purchased the turbocharged DA40NG is for solid performance in the mountains). My near term goal is to fly around the U.S. and then work on my multi-engine rating in a DA42 or DA62.

SCFC: As owner of the DA40NG, what one thing would you like pilots who fly it to know?

JC: The plane is just really fun to fly and a great transition from a C172, whether you are flying for fun around California, up into the mountains. It's a good platform to work on an instrument rating. The center stick and flight characteristics combined with bubble canopy, single lever FADEC, and G1000 NXi make it an all-around joy to fly. If we build enough interest at the club, I will likely bring in a second one.

Upwind Foundation Needs Leaders

The Upwind Foundation and its annual summer flight training scholarship for high school students is entering its tenth year. Their work has made significant impacts on the lives of many young people, many of whom have gone on to pursue careers in aviation.

Upwind is run by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, supported by many volunteers that staff the working committees. The huge success of the 2020-2021 Upwind year was the direct result of the committees that ran fund-raising efforts, increased outreach and communication to high school students, and coordinated the selection process. Great people came together with the right kind of energy and made a difference for young pilots in our area.

Upwind needs you! Anyone can help with the Upwind program. If you have always wanted to step into a different role and make an impact on the lives of young people and in general aviation, your talent and time would be greatly appreciated. We encourage you to volunteer in any capacity. We need volunteers to help with fundraising, communication and scholarship selection.

Contact the Upwind Executive Director at upwindscholarship@gmail.com for more information.

FOG Lunch - Petaluma - Nov 12 (Sun)

This month, we will be trying out the newly reopened restaurant at Petaluma Airport (O69)!

Located right on the field, Two Niner Diner recently reopened serving a wide variety of breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. This event will be on Sunday, November 12. 

Enjoy the views of San Francisco and Marin Headlands on the way up. You can even do a Bay Tour! This is a great and exciting way for student pilots to gain valuable experience and hours. You can even land at different airports on the way back to practice your skills! 

After landing in Petaluma, we will park in transient parking near the airport terminal building. Please plan to meet at the Two Niner Diner by 12 noon. 

Everyone is welcome to join us, please RSVP here and we will see you there! 

No-Moon Flyers - Nov 12 (Sun)

Every month, our Full-Moon Flyers goes on a night cross-country on the brightest night of the lunar cycle. It's a great way to ease back into night currency. But when was the last time you did a night flight when it was really, really dark. On a night with no moonlight?

Join the SCFC Flight Instructor team on Sunday, Nov 12th at 7:00pm for a night flying experience designed to take pilots to local airports known for night illusions and tricky approaches. They could be hard to recognize because of limited ground lighting, or because the airports themself tend to create landing illusions on final approach.

This will be a unique one of a kind training experience you won't want to miss if you want, especially if you haven't flown at night since you were a student pilot. Sharpen your night skills and you'll have them to use two weeks later when you bring your friends along to the Hollister Full-Moon Flyers event.

The No-Moon Flyers training is space limited, so sign up now to reserve your spot with one of our instructors here at the flight center. Call the front desk to be assigned a plane and instructor, or ask your favorite CFI if he or she is participating.

Full-Moon Flyers - Hollister - Nov 27 (Fri)

Join us for our this month Full Moon Flyers dinner on November 27! 

We will be flying down to Hollister and dining at Seabrisa’s Eatery. This a great opportunity to grab some night hours while enjoying some great food! 

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 – Seabrisa’s Eatery! 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. Please meet at the restaurant by 7PM.

fter dinner, renew your night currency at Hollister or fly a few laps at SJC! 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.