Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk

Listening to Opposing Bases is like being on the perfect flight: smooth cruising with just enough turbulence (aka hilarious banter) to keep things interesting. AG and RH are the flight deck dream team, delivering aviation wisdom and comedy gold like it’s their final approach to a podcast awards ceremony. These two turn the nerdy world of ATC and aviation into a laugh-out-loud masterpiece. Want to know about airspace regulations? They’ve got it covered—with analogies so ridiculous they’ll make you forget you were even confused in the first place. Want a laugh so good you’ll snort coffee through your nose? Check. And for free, you get a bonus lesson on how not to sound like a total noob on the radio. WIN. Somehow, they make the chaos of holding patterns sound like an action movie and IFR clearances seem like a high-stakes chess match. Their storytelling? Flawless. Their chemistry? Chef’s kiss. Their ability to make you care about things like wake turbulence and VORs? Legendary. Frankly, I don’t know how I survived without Opposing Bases in my life. It’s like finding the perfect checklist for both your brain and your funny bone. I’ve learned so much AND cried-laughed so hard, I’m starting to think they should hand out logbook endorsements for listening. Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or just someone who wonders why airplanes don’t have horns, this podcast will have you hooked. So buckle up, put your tray table down (because you’ll need a place for your snacks and your sides that’ll be splitting), and prepare for a comedic climb to FL420. AG and RH: cleared for podcast stardom!

I was happily sailing my ship through life until I stumbled upon the island of aviation, where penguins roam. Ever since, it’s been a constant battle to keep the penguins sorted and thriving on this strange, fascinating island. Opposing Bases has been an incredible guide, helping me make sense of penguin talk—wait, I mean ATC lingo—and how the NAS operates. As my iceberg of aviation knowledge has grown, I’ve been able to accommodate more penguins, and this podcast has been a huge part of that journey. Thank you, Opposing Bases, for making the world of aviation approachable, entertaining, and downright penguin-friendly!

As a GA pilot based south of the Buccaneer Bravo, I stumbled across this podcast while looking for something to supplement my understanding of these goofy rules and regulations one must learn and understand to fly in the system. Thanks to RH and AG’s expert guidance, I didn’t just survive my instrument checkride—I navigated it with the precision of a Penguin Airlines captain on final. Their podcast transforms the frosty complexities of IFR into a warm and approachable journey. From decoding obscure FARs to tackling mythical airspace challenges, every episode is like finding a perfect shell on Sanibel—rare, valuable, and totally worth the time. Opposing Bases is a must-listen for pilots of all stripes. Thank you for helping this penguin stay aloft, even when the soup is thick and the iceberg is constantly tipping over.

The other day I was walking down Sixth St in the music capital of the world and we found a fun little establishment that had pianos engaging in petty to-the-death antics known as a “dueling piano bar”. I’m assuming due to a dispute regarding the innocence of the younger sister of one of the pianos. I came away thoroughly excited about the prospect of other musical paraphernalia experiencing the very human feeling of jealousy and needing to express it with fisticuffs or a pistol. Imagine my utter delight that a quick search for “instruments that disagree” came up with this podcast “Opposing Bases”. I could overlook the obvious spelling mistake in the title, attributing it to the human owners of such melodious producers being frankly a bit thick. My delight turned into confusion with their strange mention of instruments and then horror when I realized they were talking about traffic control but IN THE AIR! Could these deep, heavy tone boxes suddenly overcome gravity? A well-meaning friend explained that they were actually talking about airplanes and those who fly. Also about those who don’t like to fly them but instead tell fliers what to do. That sounds like a recipe for duels if ever I could imagine one. Everything they says seems accurate, funny and/or useful so I will continue to listen in the hope for some petty argument over the airwaves or maybe an altercation that actually comes to blows. Thanks, guys, and keep up the good work. Contacting tower! MIK