Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk

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...

Bonus: ODP's, Part 2   This episode is a follow up to our first bonus episode on Obstacle Departure Procedures (released on 1/12/2021).  If you haven't listened to that episode, go do that first! All feedback is specific to ODPs.  We review some errors and discuss elements of the procedures which led to some dialogue with our listeners.  Enjoy!  Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit o...

Episode 161 Show Notes   Topic of the show: This week on Opposing Bases, we clear up an error we made on last week's episode concerning VFR climbs on an IFR flight plan.  We also discuss a myriad of topics and dig deep into the inbox.  You won't want to miss this week's episode!   Timely Feedback: PATRON Charlie Whiskey shares his thoughts on an RH solo episode. We need more AG! PATRON Charlie Mik...

Episode 160 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Your two favorite air traffic controllers discuss the difference between departing a non-towered airport VFR in VMC looking to pick up your IFR clearance in the air versus an IFR departure with a clearance issued on the ground.  Do you know the difference in procedures?    Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON Sierra Bravo shares his thoughts on our ODP episode. 2...

Bonus: Obstacle Departure Procedures with Max Trescott   Topic of the show: In the first part of this bonus episode, RH interviews Max Trescott about Obstacle Departure Procedures and 14 CFR Part 91 regulations regarding the application and use of these vital procedures.  In the second part of the episode, we break down the comments made by a listener regarding Obstacle Departure Procedures, Part...

Episode 159 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Why do some approaches say "NA at Night"?  The Terps Elf will do his best to answer this question.  We also discuss the use of aircraft types in ATC instructions, minimum vectoring altitudes, flight following in a practice area, and more of your awesome questions and feedback!    Timely Feedback: 1 . A P2012 expert sent feedback about the replacement of...

Episode 158 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Happy New Year and welcome to 2021.  AG and RH discuss a veritable cornucopia of aviation feedback including canceling flight plans, gaming the system for release times, old school nav aids, leaky towers, and aviation bucket list items.  This week's episode will be a lot of fun.  Enjoy!   Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON Echo Hotel sent a link about the cemen...

Episode 157 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Echo Hotel wants our thoughts and opinions on handling a pilot that forgets to cancel his/her IFR flight plan at a non-towered airport.  Is a Brasher Warning and possible pilot deviation/violation necessary?  What do we suggest to avoid this issue and prevent the discussion from even happening?  A special thanks to PATRON Max Trescott, host of Aviation N...

Episode 156 Show Notes   Topic of the show: This week, we discuss the technique of picking up an IFR clearance in the air.  What are the pitfalls?  Why doesn't this always work?  What can pilots do to increase efficiency and remain safe under IFR?   Timely Feedback: 1 . PATRON Mike Romeo/controller explains the balloons: https://loon.com/ 2 . PATRON Juliet Hotel clarifies the reroute altitude from...

Episode 155 Show Notes   Topic of the show: AG and RH dig deep into the feedback and discuss straight-in approach phraseology requirements, reroutes, ODP requirements, and much, much more.  This week is packed with information you won't want to miss.   Timely Feedback:   1 . PATRON Romeo Charlie has a good reason to use "in sequence" phraseology. 2 . PATRON Golf Mike and the six degrees of separat...

Episode 154 Show Notes   Topic of the show: This week, we discuss how pilots can plan ahead for the inevitable routing complexity when operating on the east coast through various Class Bravo airports.  What tools are available in electronic flight bags to help you plan ahead? How can you safely expedite departure and be prepared for enroute changes?   Timely Feedback: PATRON Bravo Charlie sent in...

Episode 153 Show Notes   Topic of the show:  AG and RH continue the conversation about circling approaches.  We discuss circling for sea planes, large jets into TEB, and airplanes without GPS.  Mentioned in the discussion: https://news.aviation-safety.net/2019/03/13/ntsb-continuation-of-unstabilized-approach-stall-caused-learjet-crash-near-teterboro/   What does this approach look like from the fl...

Episode 152 Show Notes   Topic of the show: AG and RH discuss the differences between circling maneuvers at a towered airport and a non-towered airport, circling maneuvers for seaplanes, and circling maneuvers designed to keep a safe distance from surrounding airports.  Articles mentioned: http://code7700.com/pdfs/bca/bca_non-circle_circling_2017-09.pdf , https://code7700.com/kteb_circling_conundr...

Episode 151 Show Notes   Topic of the show: What are you required to do in the event of an equipment malfunction?  Can you prepare for this event with the use of electronic flight bags?  RH and AG give their tips on avoiding confusion when your equipment quits and you need ATC to help out.   Timely Feedback: Sierra Hotel sent in audio of RH on the mid. PATRON Echo Hotel wants filing advice for the...