From now through New Year's, if someone in your family buys you a gift certificate from San Carlos Flight Center for $500 or more, we'll throw in a bonus SCFC specialty t-shirt! That's two presents at once! Choose from one of our three new gift shirt designs and wear it when you share your next flight with the one who loves you. If your special someone puts $1,000 or more on your Flight Center account by cash or check, you get flight time, a t-shirt, and a $50 block bonus. That's three presents at once. Win, win, win.

SCFC is celebrating your moment of triumph with Type Checkout Shirts. Recently transitioned to tailwheel? Check out the new "Tailwheel Certified" shirt. Have you mastered the Robinson R22? Show off your skill by wearing our R22 "If you can fly this, you can fly anything" shirt.

A good pilot is always learning. A great pilot is always wearing cool new shirts. Ask at the SCFC Front Desk for details.

Low-flying helicopters in the vicinity of the Golden Gate Bridge still use 124.3 to communicate position reports and direction of flight. The frequency can be especially useful for very low-flying aircraft, but it's good for all bay area pilots to know about it. Higher flying aircraft may find radar services from NorCal more helpful, but pilots in the area should know that not all air traffic may be monitoring or talking to NorCal approach. Stay alert in the vicinity of the Golden Gate Bridge and consider monitoring both NorCal and the Golden Gate frequency. And keep your eyes outside looking for traffic.

Brief all guests on your need to focus. Tell them to keep a sterile cockpit as you taxi to the runway, and warn them of your need to prioritize radio communications over in-cockpit chatter. Make sure you know how to use the ISOLATE feature on the intercom so that your guests can share the thrill of flight and comment on the amazing views without interfering with your traffic calls. Involve your passengers in the safety of the flight and instruct them how to call out traffic nearby. As a pilot, it is tempting to play the role of tour guide, but focus first on being pilot-in-command.

We want our family and friends to enjoy flying as much as we do. Do you primary job and keep them safe, the rest will happen on its own.

The Flight Center actively participates in the community of San Carlos and throughout the peninsula. We are always looking for ways to share our love of aviation with worthy local schools and charities. SCFC thanks the Sequoia Parents Nursery School for this exciting opportunity to share our love of aviation with the next generation.

SCFC: How did you first become interested in aircraft maintenance?
OV: My father used to work on his own planes and I would shadow him and help by handing him tools. I was in my early 20s when I finally decided to get my A&P license and work on planes as a licensed mechanic.

SCFC: What kind of experience do you have as a pilot?
OV: Being a pilot is something amazing and hard to put into words. I have been flying since I was seven years-old. Flying any and all type of aircrafts is something that I love to do. Being a pilot has given me the opportunity to explore the world in a different way that many can only dream of. I highly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to become a pilot, they will not regret it.

SCFC: What is your favorite plane or aircraft that you have worked on as a mechanic?
OV: I am more of a Piper person simply because that's what I grew up with. My father had a Piper Archer and I used to fly with him anytime I had the opportunity so I have a strong bond with Pipers, but I do like Cessna's and all other aircraft.

SCFC: What do you do for fun outside of the Flight Center?
OV: I consider myself a competitive outdoors person. I like to be active and enjoy playing sports and exploring new places. I am also family oriented; they are like my second job. I have two kids, a seven year-old daughter and a 2 year-old son. Like their father, both of my children love the outdoors. They consume most of my free time but I enjoy every moment spent with them and am happy to be involved in their lives.
 

Where do you want to go? What new adventures do you want to try? What new places do you want to explore? Share your favorite on-field restaurant or your favorite runway nestled in a sleepy mountain valley. Help shape the adventure in 2016 and make exciting new memories in 2016. Share your ideas on the next FlyOutGroup trip, or emails us your suggestions today at flyoutgroup@gmail.org.