Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk

Episode 290 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, we discuss the importance of altitude selection and routing when you are flying near busy Class Bravo airspace.   Why does clearance delivery issue routing that doesn't work for your entire route?   What can you do to ensure a smooth, reroute free, flight in the NAS?   What happens in the background during a reroute?   We discuss all...

Episode 289 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, we discuss a listener's "possible pilot deviation".   Why did they receive the Brasher warning?   Who is waiting for the phone call?    What information will be requested on the initial phone call?   We share our opinions on the issue and discuss what administrative tasks are being completed, why the controller may have issued the wa...

Episode 288 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, we discuss general aviation operations at busy Class Bravo airports.   Flying to a big airport can be intimidating so we offer some tips for the general aviation pilot.   How can you safely taxi behind a heavy jet and keep ATC happy?   What should you be prepared for when arriving or departing a busy, Class Bravo airport in your gene...

Episode 287 Show Notes   Topic of the show: 2023 AirVenture Notice with Bravo Kilo.   BK is a highly experienced team lead for air traffic controllers at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and shares his pro tips on how to safely fly the arrival, how to plan for your flight to OSH, and discusses what controllers expect from pilots participating in the best aviation gathering in the world!   If you've flown to...

Episode 286 Show Notes   Topic of the show: If we had $1 for every time someone asked if our job was stressful, we'd be billionaires.     On this week's show, we will discuss the elements of this profession that can lead to stress and medical issues along with the impact the schedule has on our personal lives outside of work.   This episode topic was brought to us by a long-time show supporter, Br...

Episode 285 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, we discuss a recent double go around and share our opinions on what caused the issue, how it could have been handled, and the red carpet rollout for go arounds in the TRIAD.   We also discuss unusual and temporary phraseology, altimeter setting confusion, and an urgent return from the practice area with an open airplane door.   We ha...

Episode 284 Show Notes   Topic of the show:   Air traffic controllers rely on coordination between facilities to keep planes moving safely and expeditiously throughout the NAS.   On this week's show, we break down a communication misstep and illustrate what happened, why it happened, and how the pilots and controllers worked together to safely solve the problem.   Whenever you're in doubt or confu...

Episode 283 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, we clarify some points made about our lost comms episode a few weeks ago and respond to some negative feedback.   What if the scenario was flip flopped?   Why didn't we address the minutia related to 91.185?   What about SIDS and ODPs?   Find out our thoughts on this episode.   We also answer questions about "over" and "break" phrase...

Episode 282 Show Notes   Topic of the show: AG and RH discuss ways students and instructors can get the most out of their flight lessons in areas with heavy training activity.   How can training teams prepare for each less and maximize their time in the airplane while fitting in with rest of the customers using ATC services?   We also discuss squeeze plays, strange spacing instructions, and the mi...

Episode 281 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Why can't everyone fly over or through Class Bravo airspace?   What is the difference between VFR and IFR flights going to the same point in space?   On this week's episode, we break down some important differences between VFR and IFR as they relate to Class Bravo airspace and discuss ways you can plan for the inevitable reroute.   We also talk a little...

Episode 280 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, RH and AG discuss the difference between foreign and domestic separation responsibilities as they relate to uncontrolled airspace.   How do we do our job when aircraft may be passing into an area that is uncontrolled?   What responsibilities do we have to prevent a collision?   We also discuss IFR non towered cancellation etiquette,...

Episode 279 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Lost Communications follow up!   We will discuss some of the mountain of feedback we received about our lost communication episode (OB278).   Have you done a systems deep dive in your aircraft to determine how you would determine what to do in the event of lost comms?   What tools can you bring with you on your next flight to add a layer of safety?   We...

Episode 278 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, AG and RH share their opinion on a recent lost communication scenario in the NAS.   What type of questions should a pilot expect to get after getting the airplane back on the ground safely?   What considerations should be made during flight planning to account for the possibility of an emergency enroute?   And what would ATC do in th...

Episode 277 Show Notes   Topic of the show: RH and AG discuss the assignment of VFR flight following codes in busy Class Bravo airspace and how the services can be streamlined going in and out of an underlying Class Delta airport.   Why do some controllers issue codes and some do not?   Why is it so hard to get flight following when leaving certain Class Delta airports?   We answer these questions...

Episode 276 Show Notes (revised)   Topic of the show: On this week's show, RH and AG describe ways pilots can utilize the tools in their airplane to set up and fly a visual approach.   Can you follow the ILS glideslope or RNAV glideslope while you fly the visual approach?   Where is the fix ATC just cleared me to and why are they using it?   Find out some more tricks of the trade to be the best pi...

Episode 275 Show Notes   Topic of the show: When you're being vectored on the downwind over cold and unwelcoming waters, why can't the controller turn you in closer to the final approach fix?   When is it legal to give you a shortcut to keep you closer to the shore?   On this week's episode, we discuss the legality of close in vectors, the use of a visual or contract approach, and more of your avi...

Episode 274 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Sun 'n Fun 2023: RH's rookie year!   What an awesome week working arrivals, departures, and wanding with gusto!   RH breaks down each ATC spot with a little sample audio on each talking position.   If you've ever wondered how the air traffic side of things work at Sun 'n Fun, this is the episode for you!   "Team 1, you guys were the best team a rookie co...

Episode 273 Show Notes   Topic of the show: This week's show is about radar patterns.   What can you expect when you arrive from the departure side of the airport? How can you plan your descent when you are being sequenced to the airport under VFR?   Why do controllers keep you so far away from the field before placing you on final?   We answer all these questions and also discuss ELTs, flight ser...

Episode 272 Show Notes   Topic of the show: How can some airports run aggressive squeeze plays and compressed finals when some airports operate with much large gaps on a very slow final?   On this week's show, AG and RH discuss the major differences in airports that effect flow, efficiency, departure and arrival separation, and passenger experience.   We also discuss how you can prepare for traini...

Episode 271Show Notes   Topic of the show: What type of decision making and planning is involved when a controller takes decisive action to run a squeeze play?   What is a squeeze play?   Why is the anatomy of a squeeze play important when evaluating a given traffic scenario?   This week's show answers all those questions and dives deep into the parts of air traffic you don't hear on the news.   A...

Episode 270 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's episode we discuss air traffic controller tone, delivery, and pilot perception.   Why do we sound grumpy sometimes?   What factors contribute to the controller's mood?   We also discuss flight following, the importance of filing a VFR flight plan, and more of your awesome aviation questions and feedback.   This was a really fun episode tha...

Episode 269 Show Notes   Topic of the show: When you are a newly certified pilot, air traffic controllers can be intimidating and the system can make new private pilots apprehensive about using the services available to them.   In this week's episode, we dive deep into a pilot's first real interaction with ATC after getting a rating; what went wrong and how can they improve or better understand wh...

Episode 268 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On Today's show we break down more details about visual approaches, dissect the soup sandwich departure near the Oracle Database Airport, and hear from a very aware student pilot on their first solo!   We are working with a new audio setup so our voices may sound a little different.   Enjoy the show!   Timely Feedback: 1 . SGAC Patron SE shares some insi...

Episode 267 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Today's show is jam packed with valuable information every pilot can take with them on their next flight.   We discuss a very complicated departure procedure and how to execute it safely considering how we would fly an ODP, managing flight plans and flight following, and lesson learned from a last second go around in IMC.   You don't want to miss this ep...

Episode 266 Show Notes   Topic of the show: When approach issues a visual approach clearance to a Class Delta airport, what are the expectations when entering the flow of traffic at the towered airport?  What if the pilot thinks the assigned entry is unsafe?  On this week's show, we will hear from a pilot that used their judgement to safely enter the airport traffic pattern, why ATC seemed upset,...