Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk

Episode 183 Show Notes   Topic of the show: We are all over the map today.  We discuss through clearances, SIDs, terrain clearance, radio confidence, and non-towered airport pet peeves!  This was a fun show that you won't want to miss.  Congratulations to everyone that got new ratings, this was a huge week for listener announcements!   Timely Feedback: 1 . Juliet Oscar shares the metrics for a for...

Episode 182 Show Notes   Topic of the show: What happens when our squeeze play doesn't work out as we had imagined?  Are we guilty of the occasional snarky response on frequency?  Find out on this week's episode.    Timely Feedback: 1 . Juliet Foxtrot Sierra shares thoughts on top of descent planning. 2 . PATRON Juliet Bravo shares his thoughts on the Mayday Mayday Mayday episode. 3 . PATRON ABM s...

Episode 181 Show Notes   Topic of the show:   Required readbacks of instructions can be very confusing for new pilots.  On today's show, we break down some common exchanges between air traffic control and pilots and discuss what we need to hear and how you can be efficient in your readbacks.    Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON Mike Kilo shares a non-radar story. 2 . Delta Charlie Papa passed the instru...

Episode 180 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Can ATC help expedite IFR traffic from non-towered airports?  What tools are available to controllers to help inbounds avoid the dreaded hold or outbounds avoid lengthy departure delays?  Find out on this week's episode!   Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON November Mike sends his flight plans to his Mom, too! 2 . PATRON Juliet Mike asked about headings for tra...

Episode 179 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Special guest co-host Max Trescott joins us today! Pilot in command (PIC) skills development begins with primary training and never ends.  What tips do AG, RH, and Max share to help pilots become better decision makers and safer aviators?  We also discuss runway changes, noise abatement responsibilities, and some ATC phraseology.    Sad news: Pik-n-Pig r...

Episode 178 Show Notes   Topic of the show: What does "Radar Contact" really mean?  What responsibilities does air traffic assume when a pilot hears those magical words?  How do controllers establish radar contact and how does the relationship end?  All this and more on another jam packed episode you don't want to miss!   Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON Bravo Whiskey provides some very detailed inform...

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! RH got a chance to sit down with Bravo Foxtrot and discuss a recent emergency landing. We learn all about what happened, how Bravo Foxtrot made the decision to land in the nearby field, and how important his training was to a safe and successful outcome.

Episode 177 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Graduate level tips and tricks that will help pilots and instructors get the most out of ATC services.  We discuss land and hold short chaos, pop up IFR clearances, VFR altitude changes, and practice approaches to closed runways.  This episode is jam packed and you don't want to miss it!   Timely Feedback: 1 . Patron Charlie Alpha has an idea for a new O...

Episode 176 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Can tower deny a go around?  Why would a controller prevent the go around?  What can instructors do to accomplish the lesson in a busy pattern and what information would have been helpful for the controller and the pilots? We also discuss a busy mountain airport's IFR flow, confusing clearances, and diversions.   Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON Whiskey Bravo...

Episode 175 Show Notes   Topic of the show: AG and RH discuss missed approaches to crossing runways and how controllers can mitigate the risks in simultaneous go arounds.  We also discuss the typical shift at TRIAD Tower, tower traffic management techniques, and clearances below the MVA.  Another fun episode you won't want to miss.   Timely Feedback: 1 . Zulu Bravo uses Opposing Bases to gently lu...

Topic of the show: Which air traffic instructions do we wish required mandatory readbacks?  Are there any instructions that must be confirmed but are not found in the regulations?  We also discuss a recent change at a towered airport which stopped allowing IFR departures off a runway that has been used safely for many years.    Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON Tango Sierra shared our show with a couple...

Show Notes AG and RH give their opinions on how to bridge the gap between controllers and pilots on everyday flights.  Don't be shy.  Tell the controllers what you want or need and you might be surprised at the results.  We discuss incorrect assumptions and the use of plain English with ATC.  We also share some timely advice from a listener about degraded pilot skills with the onset of Spring.  Fl...

Show Notes   Topic of the show: This week we will address some of the pilot pet peeves.  What drives you crazy?  How can ATC limit the number of things that drive you crazy?  We also discuss ICAO codes, busy frequencies, and more of your awesome questions and feedback.      Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON Mike Kilo shares audio on equipment suffixes. 2 . PATRON Juliet Kilo sent some audio about litiga...

Show Notes   Topic of the show: Why do some center controllers give a landing direction to arrivals up at altitude and some do not?  Why is this information critical on some arrivals?  AG and RH will explain some of the differences between two large Class Bravo airports and how pilots prepare for descent.  We answer your questions and feedback every week on this show.  If you haven't sent in a que...

Episode Notes   Topic of the show: What drives us crazy from the pilot side and the controller side?  AG and RH discuss their pet peeves, flame throwing airplanes, noise abatement headings, and much more.    Timely Feedback: SGAC PATRON BS shares his thoughts about tower sequencing plans. SGAC PATRON DE enjoyed the contact approach episode. PATRON CW showed a Stinson SR-5A from the 1930s with a fl...

Episode 169 Topic of the show:   What types of factors are taken into consideration when a tower controller is deciding the sequence?  What tools are available to keep traffic flowing safely and efficiently?  AG and RH will discuss their methods for organizing aircraft at the TRIAD.    Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON Mike Kilo has a question about equipment suffixes for pop up IFR clearances. 2 . PATR...

Topic of the show: AG and RH are in catch-up mode again.  We are all over the map this week with PDCs, VFR MVA warnings, Procedure Turns, ODPs, and feedback from the Terps Elf!   Timely Feedback: 1 . SGAC PATRON Juliet Oscar was doing "Mach 135" on the way to TRIAD. 2 . SGAC PATRON Papa Charlie has caught up on episodes but still has some questions. 3 . SGAC PATRON Sierra Echo has a question about...

Topic of the show: What are contact approaches?  Why don't we use them more often?  AG and RH discuss this rarely used approach and discuss some examples where they may come in handy for the pilot and ATC.  Timely Feedback: 1 . Juliet Bravo offers some thoughts on helicopter altitudes. 2 . PATRON Papa Victor heard some new phraseology. 3 . PATRON Hotel Kilo shares his night landing story. 4 . PATR...

Topic of the show: Class Bravo VFR Operations.  AG and RH break down the responses from two experienced Class Bravo controllers regarding VFR services, air work near the boundaries, and visibility on the ground in underlying non-towered airports.  This is the second episode in our Class Bravo airspace discussion.    Timely Feedback: 1 . SGAC PATRON Bravo Juliet shared a first-hand story of Exercis...

Extra Episode Show Notes   AG and RH spend an entire episode on listener questions.  We are all over the map on this special episode.  Enjoy!   Link mentioned in today's show: https://www.kirtland.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2471177/air-traffic-controller-at-kirtland-afb-credited-with-saving-cv-22-crew-aircraft/fbclid/IwAR1dmXhR0mWdZDedff3E6q8H9qHHvSORGUlpi973qDpoMICQXd6kBdg2VMU/ Have a gr...

Hit subscribe so our episodes are ready to play each week and join listeners from all over the globe! Find us at opposingbases.com Get access to exclusive content and live video streams of our recording session at patreon.com/opposingbases and follow us @Opposing_Bases     Send your questions to the show: feedback@opposingbases.com   See you on Monday!

Episode 165 Show Notes   Topic of the show: This week, we will share our thoughts on maximizing the use of air traffic control while flying in and around Class Bravo airspace.  We also discuss using airports at night without runway lights and our tips on how to be a successful air traffic trainee.  Thanks to Patrons DCW and EH for the great questions.   Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON MZ shares some i...

Episode 164 Show Notes   Topic of the show: What happens when the radar controller gives you an expected instruction and the tower controller issues you a different instruction?  Which instruction should the pilot follow?  AG and RH will offer their opinion on how to handle this situation as a pilot and offer some explanation on what may be happening in the background.  We also discuss departing u...

Episode 163 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Why are we still advertising ILS approaches when it's VFR weather?  What types of elements are included in the decision to switch to visual approaches?  We discuss what factors are in play including forecasted weather, sequencing, tower visibility, and pilot's ability to see the airport.  Video mentioned in the show: https://youtu.be/3aNckvzhbFU   Timely...

Episode 162 Show Notes   Topic of the show: RH and AG are all over the map this week.  We discuss sequencing in the pattern, flying tracks vs. assigned headings, go arounds, VFR callup phraseology, and much more!    Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON Juliet Hotel shares his thoughts on ODPs and mountain flying. 2 . PATRON Juliet Charlie Delta defends the solo RH episode. 3 . PATRON Mike Bravo shares a st...