349 episodes
Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk Air Traffic Talk
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- Leisure
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4.9 • 738 Ratings
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RH and AG are two experienced air traffic controllers and pilots that host a weekly show answering listener questions, breaking down complex aviation topics, and relating their experiences to everyday occurrences in the national airspace system.
The hosts and guests do not represent the FAA or NATCA and express their own views and opinions.
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Vectors Through The Wall of Death
Episode 331 Show Notes
Topic of the show: Weather
RH and AG discuss weather as it relates to ATC. Patron EG sent feedback about a resource she has created for increasing pilot safety! Bravo! https://www.youtube.com/@AeroSafe
Timely Feedback:
1. Patron AW tells us tales of center superiority and flight data flight plan restoration.
2. Patron CM from the frozen north sent audio feedback about the frozen norther.
3. Patron SE sent two feedbacks about expected routing and sea plane bases.
4. Patron BY talks about expected routing.
5. Patron PS tells us about the lingo for the float plane fraternity
Feedback
1. THE Charlie Alpha sent feedback about the emerald city controllers and their amazing work.
2. Patron AC sent a question about opposing and crossing downwinds.
3. Patron MM sent a photo of a proposed airspace redesign at sunny southern airport.
4. Patron DB tells us how AG hurt him and some comments about tower’s airspace, pointouts and audio sound bites.
Have a great week and thanks for listening! Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can supportour 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 NoticeThe 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. -
Flight Plan Drop Outs
Episode 330 Show Notes
Topic of the show: This week AG and RH discuss IFR departures off of non towered airports near airspace boundaries. Does it make sense to call the adjacent facility airborne instead of the facility overlying the departure airport? What is happening on the controller side of the equation with respect to your flight plan? And what can the pilot do to facilitate a smooth transition from VFR to IFR? We also discuss flying the Hudson River VFR corridor in a 737, miracle flight plan resurrections, and more of your awesome aviation questions. This was a really fun episode and you don't want to miss it!
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. -
Woody Wagon Single Engine Missed
Episode 329 Show Notes
Topic of the show: This week AG and RH discuss Single Engine Escape maneuvers and making your own missed approaches. This show topic brought to us by Patron JEC.
Timely Feedback:
1. SGAC Patron SE discusses frequency changes to the same controller.
2. Patron TC talks about other uses for circling approaches in float planes.
Feedback
1. PayPaler CK send feedback about a facility tour.
2. Patron CW sent a story from Canada.
3. Patron KA sent a question about Climbing “via”
4. Patron NP sent a story about CA being on frequency and the codeword penguin.
Mentioned on the show: Culver Props https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyhO2njfuwo, https://www.culverprops.com/CulverProps.html
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. -
Reaching Frequency Totality
Episode 328 Show Notes
Topic of the show: This week AG and RH discuss etiquette for checking in on a new frequency, how long to wait, what things to listen for and what info ATC is looking for. Brought to you by Patron JF. We also discuss some solar eclipse flying, ADSB mismatch rules, and more of your awesome aviation questions and feedback! Enjoy!
Timely Feedback:
1. Patron DWH sent the link to his Instagram:
https://instagram.com/dwhonan
2. Patron GNR sent feedback about tower tours.
3. PS sent audio about runway number changes.
4. Patron and controller BL sent feedback about Lake Hood and certifying controllers.
Feedback
1. Patron MK sent audio about ADSB mismatch issues. https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/agc/practice_areas/regulations/interpretations/Data/interps/2017/Hayslett-AJM-2_2017_Legal_Interpretation.pdf
2. Patron MIK sent eclipse flying audio feedback and wanted to thank center controllers.
3. Patron JEC sent audio about pilots requesting their own missed approaches.
4. Patron SG sent audio about listening but not talking to ATC
5. Patron and controller AW sent feedback about listening to OB while flying.
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. -
Defusing Flight Plans
Episode 327 Show Notes
Topic of the show: This week AG and RH discuss visiting your local facility, the things to look for, the questions to ask, who to call, and the overall benefits of why you should bring donuts. Or pizza. We also discuss timed out flight plans, TERPS and charting delays, true north, and many more of your aviation questions.
Timely Feedback:
1. RW The Terps Elf sends feedback about the runway numbering discussion in 326
2. SGAC CM from the frozen north has a question on how clearances get amended.
3. Patron DC sent a link to an initiative to convert all of Aviation to true north:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toXsa7Dlq44
4. Patron MS sent audio feedback about practice approach phraseology.
Feedback
1. Patron JM sent audio feedback about flight plans disappearing.
2. Patron SW sent some great stats on airport density in the US.
3. BS from Midlife Pilot Podcast sent feedback about multiple day flight plans.
4. Patron DWH sent a note on a facility tour, donuts, and taking amazing photos from the tower.
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. Friends of the show and maker of bags to protect your ATC headset from dust and germs: ATCSaks.com. Keep the gunk and funk away from your most valuable pilot gear: https://pilotsaks.com/.
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. -
Opposing Bases, The Musical
Episode 326 Show Notes
Topic of the show: On this week’s show, AG and RH discuss ways a pilot can file and receive the right T route when flying near or around giant metroplex Class Bravo airspace. Why does it only work half the time? What constraints are the controllers under when issuing routing. And what can the pilot do after they’ve initially been denied their filed routing. We also discuss reporting unidentified objects, approaches with magnetic disparity, and more of your awesome aviation questions and feedback. This is a really fun episode and you don’t want to miss it!
Timely Feedback:
1. Patron SCS sends a couple of timely notes on recent episodes.
2. Patron JG has a manual transmission driving story.
3. Patron JH has a story about last minute runway change techniques in the cockpit
4. Patron DZ promotes the qualities of finding a local EAA chapter.
Feedback
1. Patron KA has a UFO question.
2. Patron JS has changed careers and has an international question
3. Patron SP has a brief but funny question for RH’s sim time.
4. Patron JC has an NA Story
Mentioned on the show: Find an EAA chapter: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/eaa-chapters/find-an-eaa-chapter
VMC Club: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/pilots/eaa-pilot-proficiency/proficiency-and-education-programs/vmc-club
IMC Club: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/pilots/eaa-pilot-proficiency/proficiency-and-education-programs/imc-club
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. Friends of the show and maker of bags to protect your ATC headset from dust and germs: ATCSaks.com. Keep the gunk and funk away from your most valuable pilot gear: https://pilotsaks.com/.
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.
Customer Reviews
The Rosetta Stone of the National Aerospace System
Opposing Bases, where the cool kids are nerds and there are cancellation cookies for everyone. 5 penguins. I mean- 5 stars.
When I first heard about Opposing Bases, I thought that it was for all the cool-kid airline pilots and part 135 guys, not something geared toward a lowly middle-aged private pilot student. I didn’t jump in to listening to the podcast until I started working on my Instrument rating, and boy am I sorry I waited. Right from the get-go I was smiling and nodding, gaining comprehension of all kinds of IFR procedural knowledge, and excited to have found such an awesome resource full of humor and flying facts (and manual transmission facts, and bathroom remodeling facts, and things about someone named Talkative Timmy, and what getting Brashered means). This podcast has increased my understanding about Instrument flying and improved the quality of my Instrument training by giving me confidence in comminucating with ATC. Imagine my delight when I learned there were also penguins involved. (I have loved the silly flightless waterfowl since I was a kid, and may or may not have once tried to steal a penguin from Sea World when I was 12 years old, but I digress…)
If you want to joyfully immerse yourself in understanding what it really means to operate in the National Aerospace System from both sides of the mic, give this podcast a listen. It’s better than watching a bunch of Italian movies with subtitles and coming away feeling like you know how to speak Italian. Because you will realize that you do understand the secret language of aviation, you’ve been speaking it all along but now you have a stronger frame of reference. It’s like Rosetta Stone, but for communicating in the NAS. You can feel confident that even if you do go out, key up, and transmit a bowl of word salad, the guys in the tower are on your team and want you to have a successful flight. You’re not alone, or an annoyance, (though possibly a puzzling amusement) they DO want to talk to you. They are just people after all, even if they are also omniscient, all-powerful sky gods. And they have cookies.
Please do not tell the FAA about the penguin stealing incident, I was only 12, I put the bird back (he smelled) and I was never caught, nor any charges pressed. Sincerely, Whiskey Romeo, from the Tiny Two Trees Airpark, near the Intel Nike Delta, near the Keepin’ It Weird with a Bird on It Charlie.
Meh
I slogged through three episodes, and while there are nuggets of solid info to be mined, one must suffer the haughty, disdainful tone of the hosts (not unlike the controllers you dread getting on the other end of the radio), the inside banter they do that reeks of SNL’s “Nick Burns, Your Company’s Computer Guy”, and their snoozy, punchless delivery style. To be fair, there IS worthwhile content to extract from this podcast — the hosts are uniquely experienced as both controllers AND professional pilots, after all — but I simply couldn’t get past their snarky, rambling presentation style to want to keep this particular podcast in my aviation-listening arsenal.
Best aviation show
Do you like planes? Do you fly planes? Have you ever listened to air traffic control? Have you ever used the services of air traffic control? Do you have hundreds of hours to burn listening to a podcast? Do you love ATC?
Woah!!!! maybe I’m getting carried away with that last one 😉, but if you answered yes to any of the rest of these questions, you need to listen to Opposing Bases. You’ll fill your iceberg with flying penguins (ok, maybe I’m stretching this analogy?); you’ll be a better user of the NAS; you’ll laugh; you’ll cry (errr, well, maybe); and you’ll definitely end up going all the way back to the beginning, ignoring RH’s peas that you not, and you’ll listen to every last minute of the ABSOLUTE BEST podcast ever made.
Signed, SKF. Hopefully a future patron.