Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk Air Traffic Talk

Join us on Saturday, July 27th at 10am at the AOPA Pavillion for a live show! This episode is a promotion for the live show at AirVenture with some fun audio clips from previous live shows at Oshkosh.  Enjoy!

Episode 341 Show Notes
Topic of the show: On this week’s show, we continue our conversation about mental health and offer some practical advice on how to move forward in a peer-to-peer environment while changes are made to the medical qualification process.  We heard from many of you and cannot thank you enough for sharing your stories.  We are doing our best to normalize the conversation and help aviators get the help they need while keeping their medical! 
Timely Feedback: Lots of feedback about OB340 “Mental Health Matters”.  Thank you!
Feedback
1. Patron WO shares some audio feedback about flight plans and amendments.
2. Patron SFC shares a story about mountain wave and a very helpful center controller (yes, they do exist). 
 
Mentioned on the Show:
 
HIMS (Human Intervention Motivational Study):
https://himsprogram.com/
 
No Man's Land: The Untold story of Automation and QF72:
https://www.amazon.com/No-Mans-Land-untold-automation-ebook/dp/B07HCMF229
 
Max Trescott’s Aviation News Talk Podcast episode on mental health (#335): https://aviationnewstalk.com/podcast/335-mental-health-issues-what-pilots-need-to-know-with-dr-victor-vogel-ga-news/
 
FAA PUBLISHES MENTAL HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS by AOPA’s Niki Britton:
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2024/april/03/faa-publishes-mental-health-recommendations
 
The FAA formed a Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) full report: http://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/Mental_Health_ARC_Final_Report_RELEASED.pdf
 
Flying Midwest Pilot, episode 51 “Clear Mind and Clear Skies with Dr. Penny Levin”: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flyingmidwest-podcast/episodes/Episode-51-Clear-Minds-and-Clear-Skies---with-CFIDr--Penny-Levin-e2eg59p 
Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can support our show using Patreon or visiting our support page on the website.  Keep the feedback coming, it drives the show! Don’t be shy, use the “Send Audio to AG and RH” button on the website and record an audio message. Or you can send us comments or questions to feedback@opposingbases.com.  Music bumpers by audionautix.com.  Third party audio provided by liveatc.net.  
Legal Notice The views and opinions expressed on Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk are for entertainment purposes only and do not represent the views, opinions, or official positions of the FAA, Penguin Airlines, or the United States Army.  Episodes shall not be recorded or transcribed without express written consent. For official guidance on laws, rules, and regulations, consult an aviation attorney or certified flight instructor. 

Episode 340 Show Notes
Topic of the show: Mental Health in Aviation by SGAC CB On this week’s show, AG and RH discuss the giant Penguin in the room: mental health.  We have strong feelings about this topic and want to normalize the conversation to help remove the stigma associated with mental health issues in aviation.  The FAA formed a mental health and aviation medical clearances rulemaking committee and said “Implementing the recommendations associated with these barriers will set the stage for a seismic shift in how the industry perceives and manages the risks associated with mental health conditions.”  We normally keep our show topics fun and entertaining but we feel it’s important to speak up about the issue and normalize the difficult conversations.    
 
Timely Feedback:
1. Patron PV asks AG to recount his briefly mentioned story about the scope going dark.
2. Patron TW provides insight into why RH’s commute home was terrible.
3. Patron SVO sent audio feedback about a real NORDO scenario in a jet.
4. Patron BJ updates us on a recently used acronym.
Feedback
1. Patron DSR has feedback about crossing the border.
2. Patron CWS sent audio asking about accidental replies to the wrong instruction.
3. Patron CM has info on a tour at the over the Cowboys Bravo Center.
 
Mentioned on the show: 
 
Max Trescott’s Aviation News Talk Podcast episode on mental health: https://aviationnewstalk.com/podcast/335-mental-health-issues-what-pilots-need-to-know-with-dr-victor-vogel-ga-news/
 
FAA PUBLISHES MENTAL HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS by AOPA’s Niki Britton:
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2024/april/03/faa-publishes-mental-health-recommendations
 
The FAA formed a Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) full report: http://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/Mental_Health_ARC_Final_Report_RELEASED.pdf
 
Flying Midwest Pilot, episode 51 “Clear Mind and Clear Skies with Dr. Penny Levin”: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flyingmidwest-podcast/episodes/Episode-51-Clear-Minds-and-Clear-Skies---with-CFIDr--Penny-Levin-e2eg59p
 
Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can support our show using Patreon or visiting our support page on the website.  Keep the feedback coming, it drives the show! Don’t be shy, use the “Send Audio to AG and RH” button on the website and record an audio message. Or you can send us comments or questions to feedback@opposingbases.com.  Music bumpers by audionautix.com.  Third party audio provided by liveatc.net. 
Legal Notice The views and opinions expressed on Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk are for entertainment purposes only and do not represent the views, opinions, or official positions of the FAA, Penguin Airlines, or the United States Army.  Episodes shall not be recorded or transcribed without express written consent. For official guidance on laws, rules, and regulations, consult an aviation attorney or certified flight instructor. 

Episode 339 Show Notes
 
Topic of the show: On this week’s show, AG and RH discuss another legal interpretation about lost communications.  We offer our simple to follow advice on how to avoid this situation altogether and protect yourself in the event of an emergency deviation from the regulations.  We also discuss safety programs designed to protect pilots and controllers and enhance safety in the NAS.  The Opposing Bases 1980's rockband theme song is also included in this episode.  Enjoy!
 
Timely Feedback:
1. SGAC Patron SE shared feedback about a great procedure for flight following in the northwestern part of the US. https://mikekloch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rdm-corridor-exp-12-13-2025-003.pdf
 2. Patron ES shares a New York Bravo story and the ease of a Class Bravo transition.
3. Patron CP really wants to see a full broadway production of OB, The Musical.
4. Patron AA has made a career change! 
5. Patron AM shares a couple benefits of flight following we haven’t emphasized enough lately.
6. Patron RW shares audio about the hidden benefits of flighth following. 
 
Feedback:
1. Patron DF sent audio and asked if there are programse like the NASA reporting program for controllers.
2. Patron DF sent audio and asked about controller’s readiness to report pilot violations.
3. Patron TWR shares a recent story about an electrical failure in busy airspace. 
 
Mentioned on the show:. https://mikekloch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rdm-corridor-exp-12-13-2025-003.pdf
 
 PilotWorkshops.com
 
Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can support our show using Patreon or visiting our support page on the website.  Keep the feedback coming, it drives the show! Don’t be shy, use the “Send Audio to AG and RH” button on the website and record an audio message. Or you can send us comments or questions to feedback@opposingbases.com.  Music bumpers by audionautix.com.  Third party audio provided by liveatc.net. 
Legal Notice The views and opinions expressed on Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk are for entertainment purposes only and do not represent the views, opinions, or official positions of the FAA, Penguin Airlines, or the United States Army.  Episodes shall not be recorded or transcribed without express written consent. For official guidance on laws, rules, and regulations, consult an aviation attorney or certified flight instructor. 

Episode 338 Show Notes
 
Topic of the show: The End of Flight Following by Controller Charles Delta On this week’s show, AG and RH discuss the differences between flight following and the perceived safety of ADS-B only flying.  We discuss the advantages of flight following and how they outweigh any perceived disadvantage of engaging in flight following with ATC.  We also discuss VFR through Class Bravo airspace, callsign mismatch, and missed approaches protection after a practice approach.  This episode is packed with valuable content to make you a safer pilot and you don’t want to miss it!
 
Timely Feedback:
1. Patron JT makes fun of us for bungling up UK and ICAO flight levels
2. Patron JS discusses 747 touch and goes
3. Patron DJS asks about IFR vs VFR going through B airspace
4. Patron SY suggests a Patron discussion outlet for informal meetups (great idea!)
Feedback
1. Patron NS sent audio feedback
2. Patron DE confesses their sin of transponder callsign mismatch and the jail time the spent
3. Patron DF sent audio feedback
 
Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can support our show using Patreon or visiting our support page on the website.  Keep the feedback coming, it drives the show! Don’t be shy, use the “Send Audio to AG and RH” button on the website and record an audio message. Or you can send us comments or questions to feedback@opposingbases.com.  Music bumpers by audionautix.com.  Third party audio provided by liveatc.net. 
Legal Notice The views and opinions expressed on Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk are for entertainment purposes only and do not represent the views, opinions, or official positions of the FAA, Penguin Airlines, or the United States Army.  Episodes shall not be recorded or transcribed without express written consent. For official guidance on laws, rules, and regulations, consult an aviation attorney or certified flight instructor. 

Episode 337 Show Notes
 
Topic of the show: On this week’s episode, AG and RH try to figure out why a tower controller was issuing confusing VOR radial intercepts after takeoff.  What can the pilot do to prepare for this type of clearance?  And how do you practice the buttonology necessary to perform the task under pressure?  We also discuss a new term for opposite direction traffic, tricky Class Charlie avoidance scenarios, and more of your aviation questions and feedback.  This episode is packed with aviation gold and you don’t want to miss it!
 
Mentioned on the show:. https://www.cartalk.com/content/staff-credits 
Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can support our show using Patreon or visiting our support page on the website.  Keep the feedback coming, it drives the show! Don’t be shy, use the “Send Audio to AG and RH” button on the website and record an audio message. Or you can send us comments or questions to feedback@opposingbases.com.  Music bumpers by audionautix.com.  Third party audio provided by liveatc.net. 
Legal Notice The views and opinions expressed on Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk are for entertainment purposes only and do not represent the views, opinions, or official positions of the FAA, Penguin Airlines, or the United States Army.  Episodes shall not be recorded or transcribed without express written consent. For official guidance on laws, rules, and regulations, consult an aviation attorney or certified flight instructor.