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Chandu's Papers

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). 
Experimental ADDS. FAA RAIM.

 

Hydrometeorological Prediction Center(Use the QPF item on the left to go to the  6-hr loop of predicted precipitation).


FOUS14 from NWS (for ceilings and visibilities forecasts) and how to interpret it.


Sunrise and sunset times.


Skew-T plots and how to interpret them. More info about Skew-T from NASA.

Lifted index can be found here select the Lifted Index Loop in the box in the left scrolling region.


Thunderstorm outlook prediction (from the Storm Prediction Center in OK, click on Tstms. outlook on the left).

 

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/