FOG pilots have a blast on big trips! We all contribute to route planning, inevitably with a couple backup plans. Then we launch and fly as a group, keeping in contact in the air, bound for somewhere really fun and interesting. On the ground we have a nice dinner and swap stories and argue about who was the best or worst fuel/time/bio-break planner.

Here are the big trips for 2013:

• April 5-7 (Fri-Sun) Wine Tasting in Santa Maria
  Arrive Friday evening or Saturday morning for a day of wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley. Stay overnight at the Radisson Hotel where you can taxi directly to the hotel!

• June 26-30 (Wed-Sun) Colorado Mountain Flying
  Spectacular scenery and challenging flying make this trip intensely awesome. We take all C182s with one CFI and two pilots per plane.

Also in the works…

• Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
  
• AOPA Aviation Summit in Ft Worth, TX
• Catalina Island Weekend

We keep our online calendar updated, so bookmark this page: http://sancarlosflightcenter.com/events-calendar/.  Better yet, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page to add this calendar to your iPhone.

Field Elevation: 183 ft.
Distance from SQL: 41 mi.
Runway Length: 4500 ft. (longest)

Lodging:

☐ On field
☑ Short walk
→ Comfort Inn  (831) 728-2300
☐ Shuttle
☐ Requires car

Food:

☑ On field
→ Props Restaurant and Lounge (831) 724-7767
☐ Short walk
☐ Requires car

Fuel:

☑ Self-Serve
☑ Truck
☐ None

Activites:

Fly-In and Air Show
Car Shows
New Airport Terminal Lobby

Comment below to suggest activities around Watsonville Airport!

Watsonville Airport

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Description:

 

Flight instructors don’t just teach a person to fly.  We train him or her to be Pilot in Command.  Of course, we show them how to operate the flight controls and engine controls, but there is so much more.  I would argue that less than half of the flight training process is the actual piloting of the aircraft.  The rest is taken up with emergency procedures training, navigation, radios, flight planning, and mastering a host of aviation knowledge about airports, regulations, aircrafts systems, weather, and decision making.

Anyone can fly, but only someone fully trained to be Pilot in Command can assume full responsibility for safety of the flight.  This is one reason why soloing is such an important milestone during training, because it marks the first time that the student goes from just flying to acting as Pilot in Command of an aircraft.

Pilot in Command is a rank, and it is an honor and a privilege.  Remember that the next time someone asks you if you fly.

Garmin solved this challenge by chunking information into chapters and pages.  A “page” is one screen display of some type of information.  A chapter is just a group of similar pages (G1000 calls this a “page group”).  To navigate between pages, the pilot uses one or more of the control knobs and buttons surrounding the PFD and MFD screens.

If you are new to the G1000, there’s no better way to start than to take a quick survey of the chapters and pages available on your system, and to get comfortable with the control knobs.  There’s time to learn deep functionality later, but for a first start make sure you at least understand how to know what screen you are seeing, and how to move to another page.

The best way to get to know screens and knobs is to use the Garmin G1000 PC Trainer ($25 from www.garmin.com) or to book time with an instructor in a G1000 ground trainer like ours (sancarlosflightcenter.com/g1000sim).

Either way, the right way to get started with G1000 is to know your screens and knobs.

Jeff also reminded us that the primary goal of the FAA is the safety of flight, and that ramp checks are just one way of identifying opportunities for ongoing education of pilots.  Since 99.9% of pilots take their responsibility for safety very seriously, most ramp checks end up being a chance for pilots to put a face on the FAA, and meet rep in person and be reminded about the importance of safe procedures.

One last note: the inspection is both cursory and intended to be unobtrusive.  The inspectors don’t remove cowlings or fire up the engine.  If you are in a hurry, simply inform the inspector that you are unable to participate at that time.

We take all C182s with 2 pilots and 1 CFI in each plane. This is a great opportunity to complete your checkout for the C182, mountain flying, high performance, or G1000 avionics.

Goals for the 5-day trip
 - Real mountain training through real mountainous environments
- High density altitude takeoff and landing at high elevation airports
- Spectacular scenery and airports with interesting pattern challenges
- Cool pilot camaraderie on a cross country adventure

Route of Flight
Day 1: Wednesday, June 26 – Bay Area to KDRO (Durango, CO)
Day 2: Thursday, June 27 – KDRO to KEGE (Eagle, CO)
Day 3: Friday, June 28 – Local mountain flying, return to KEGE
Day 4: Saturday, June 29 – KEGE to Las Vegas (KLAS, KVGT or KHND)
Day 5: Sunday, June 30 – Las Vegas to the Bay Area

Estimated Costs
CFI                   $1,250
Aircraft            $2,600
Hotel               $500
Rental Car       $100
Est Total          $4,500

All participating pilots must attend a Mountain Flying Safety Seminar, on either:

Saturday, June 15 at 12:30pm
OR
Wednesday, June 19 at 7:30pm

For more information contact Terry at terry@sancarlosflight.com or (650) 307-2304.

To sign up, add your name to the interest list here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlyOutGroup/database, then put down your $500 deposit by calling San Carlos Flight Center at (650) 946-1700.

Lemurs and tigers and bears, oh my! Take a flight to the wild side with your FOG friends to this amazing little hidden gem.

The Zoo in Paso Robles is a non-profit rescue zoo where permanently injured, abandoned and abused wild and exotic animals get a second chance at life. We take you for an up-close and personal visit with these beautiful creatures. We will see and even touch some of the residents, including lemurs, monkeys, porcupines, kangaroos, lots of different birds, a variety of big cats, and of course tigers and bears.

Fly to Paso Robles (KPRB) and meet up as a group at 11:30pm. Arrive early if you’d like a snack at the on-field restaurant LaGuardia’s Deli. Transfer to The Zoo for our 12:00 private tour. Remember your cameras, sunscreen, and plenty of water – summers in Paso Robles can be very hot!

Price is $15/person (with a $150 minimum), plus cost of the rental car. Sign up on the FOG database here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlyOutGroup/database. Payment will be due by Monday, June 17^th, and you should call San Carlos Flight Center at (650) 946-1700 to make arrangements to pay by check, cash or credit card.

Any questions, contact Terry at terry@sancarlosflight.com or (650) 307-2304.

For many general aviation pilots, Oshkosh, Wisconsin is the ultimate spiritual destination. Each summer, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) holds its weeklong Airventure gathering, the largest aviation show in the world. Pilots from all walks of life, flying every imaginable flying machine, arrive at Wittman Field, creating the world’s busiest air traffic control tower for one week each summer. As the saying goes, “rock your wings and land on your dot.”

This installment in our Destination series highlights the journey to EAA Oshkosh Airventure. SCFC Flight Instructor Bob Leuten, a longtime Airventure attendee having flown into Wittman Field numerous times, will share with us his insights into a pilot’s pilgrimage to Oshkosh. We will discuss route selection to Oshkosh from the SF Bay area, and how long you should expect the trip to take. The route covers some of the most challenging terrain in the lower 48 states, so picking the right way through is important.

We will also discuss arrival into Wittman Field, the subject of the very detailed, 32-page NOTAM which goes into effect for the 10 days surrounding the event. With the number of arriving aircraft, safety of flight operations is not to be taken for granted, and pilots should expect to prepare for hours on the new procedures so that they can follow them promptly and safely at the destination. Join us, and bring your own tips on how to make the Oshkosh trip safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Any questions, contact us at (650) 946-1700 or info@sancarlosflight.com.

San Carlos Flight Center is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our evening safety seminar programs. Space is limited so please sign up early through the FAA SPANS system. SCFC members may choose to watch the seminar live over the web at home. Contact your SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 to confirm secure online access to any particular seminar.

Destination will be determined a few days in advance based on where we can find good VFR weather.

Sign up on the FOG database here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlyOutGroup/database  We’ll see you there!

What’s next? You did your private pilot training in a lightweight trainer, like a C152, C172, or Warrior. Perfect for keeping the costs low and learning the basics. But now what? Maybe you’re ready to step up to something that can carry a couple of friends, bags, and enough fuel to fly nonstop to somewhere really fun. If so, you are probably considering something the FAA defines as a “high-performance” airplane – one with 200 hp or more. A little more power, maybe some sexier controls and instruments.

From a regulatory standpoint, all you’ll need is flight training and a logbook endorsement for high-performance. From a safety standpoint, a competent pilot will know he or she needs a bit more to have mastery of the next make/model you’ll be learning. In this seminar, flight instructor and air race pilot Justin Phillipson introduces the key areas you will need to safely and smoothly transition to a high performance airplane. Increased torque, a greater need for engine temperature management, weight and loading, flight characteristics, and additional equipment often found in these airplanes. There’s plenty to new things to plan for.

With great power, comes great responsibility. Be smart, be safe. Take the next step into a high-performance aircraft the right way, with adequate training and a healthy respect for your new equipment.

Any questions, contact us at (650) 946-1700 or info@sancarlosflight.com.

San Carlos Flight Center is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our evening safety seminar programs. Space is limited so please sign up early through the FAA SPANS system. SCFC members may choose to watch the seminar live over the web at home. Contact your SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 to confirm secure online access to any particular seminar.