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I learned flying in tailwheel planes and love flying with my family on weekend trips.  I am a certified Instrument Flight Instructor teaching at Palo Alto airport. I am a member of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI).

 

I do not offer primary flight training, but am accepting instrument students. I will be delighted to discuss your plans for getting that instrument rating you have always wanted. 

 

In addition to well-equpped aircraft with traditional round gauges, technically advanced aircraft (with PFD, MFD, autopilot and GPS navigators) are now widely available in the rental fleets in the SF Bay Area. This availability and an instrument rating gives you an unprecedented opportunity to conduct your cross country trips in less than perfect weather.

 

Here are some things  you should know about me as an instrument instructor:

  • I typically train one student at a time allowing me to offer you complete and individual attention.
  • My professional background as a computer scientist spanning over two decades makes me very comfortable teaching the intricacies of a modern glass cockpit.
  • Aviation is a passion  of mine. I am not instructing to build time or to make a living, but for the pleasure of teaching others to fly.

 

Useful weather information:  
Seven-day Palo Alto weather (also see forecast discussions).
Graphical METAR/TAF for ZOA.
ADDS weather (with links to AWC).
Hydrometeorological Prediction Center.

Experimental ADDS. FAA RAIM.


FOUS14 from NWS (for ceilings and visibilities forecasts) and how to interpret it.
Sunrise and sunset times. FAA AWOS map.
Skew-T plots and how to interpret them. More info about Skew-T from NASA.

 

More esoteric stuff: K-index. Lifted Index. OSU Weather.

Useful article by S. Dennstaedt in IFR magazine on getting a Wx brief.

Glossary: Precipitation symbols. Front symbols. Weather basics from USA Today.

 

Sectionals on-line:
Skyvector.  VFR & IFR charts.

Basic airport information: Airnav.

FAA Safety Site

https://www.faasafety.gov/