Pilot Stories

Two teenagers, a 60-hp Champ, and a 2100-mile journey

CFI Drew Kemp tells the story of flying a small plane across the country as a newly minted teenage pilot

December 12, 2022 • By Drew Kemp
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ATC Communications Part 2

Cheif Pilot Liz Sommers’ writeup about communications with the OAK South Tower.

February 15, 2016 • By Liz Sommers
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NOAA Seabird Protection Seminar Materials

Helpful links and documents about the marine life and seabirds, our coastline, and our Wildlife Refuge Areas and National Marine Sanctuary areas.

February 25, 2014 • By admin
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AAC Tower Tour 2013

Cheif Pilot Liz Sommers’ writeup about the club’s visit to the OAK South Tower.

May 15, 2013 • By Liz Sommers
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An AAC Member Downunder

Club member Hamish Reid finds himself at the controls of a strange aircraft, 10,000 km from Berkeley. At least he (sort of) had the right accent…

May 15, 2013 • By Hamish Reid
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Night Currency

Cheif Pilot Liz Sommers discuss’s flying at night.

April 15, 2011 • By Liz Sommers
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Left Seat 2010

Cheif Pilot Liz Sommers flying left seat.

April 15, 2010 • By Liz Sommers
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Personal Minimums

Cheif Pilot Liz Sommers discuss’s personal minimums.

April 15, 2010 • By Liz Sommers
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Talking with Oakland Tower

A interesting read on communication with Oakland Air Traffic Control with information on how to talk the talk

April 15, 2004 • By David S. Penney
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Bad Attitudes! Upside Down Over California

Hamish Reid learns Immelmans, loops, Reverse Half Cubans and more 6,000′ over the Delta in 36B, taking club instructor Ben Freelove’s basic aerobatics and unusual attitude recovery course…

May 15, 2003 • By Hamish Reid
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Dave’s Phoenix Flight

Our Chief Pilot flies N7336B, a lively Cessna A152 Aerobat with the Texas Taildragger conversion, all the way from Phoenix to Oaktown…

May 15, 2002 • By Dave Penney
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A Southlands Trip Report

If (like me) you’ve wondered what it’s like braving the LA basin in a small GA plane, 4AC Plane Captain John Ewing spent Thanksgiving 2001 flying 12R down to the Southlands and back, and survived to tell the tale…

May 15, 2001 • By John Ewing
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Going Commercial

Club member John Ewing earned his commercial certificate November 2001, and I asked him to describe his experiences for the rest of us contemplating going commercial — or just interested in what it takes….

May 15, 2001 • By John Ewing
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My Last Mission

Club founder and member Doug Johnson originally wrote this for the newsletter of the 390th Bombardment Group, with whom Doug flew B17’s during WW2.

May 15, 2001 • By Doug Johnson
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The Hayward Proficiency Air Race

Club member Beth Christian flew the Hayward Proficiency Air Race in 4312R for the fourth year in a row (2001). The word “race” is misleading, the word “proficiency” is not….

May 15, 2001 • By Beth Christian
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The Other Checkride

That other checkride — the one when you finally realise you’ve got what it takes…

May 15, 2001 • By Ginny Wilken
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