Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk

Episode 139 Show Notes   Topic of the show: This week on Opposing Bases, we discuss a listener's story when he busted Bravo accidentally.  Why did it happen? What did they do to solve the issue with ATC?  What can we learn from his story?  This and more feedback and questions from the listeners.    Timely Feedback: PATRON Mike Kilo shares his thoughts on the show and the names of his cats. PATRON...

Episode 138 Show Notes   Topic of the show: This week we will discuss our opinions on navigating complex airspace with several different controlling agencies and airspace boundaries.  Who should you call when you are approaching a Class Delta?  How far above the Delta should you fly?  What does the controller see when you are tagged up by another facility?    Timely Feedback: PATRON Echo Hotel got...

Episode 137 Show Notes   Topic of the show: RH and AG are going to talk about separation errors.  What happens to us when we violate a rule?  How does our reporting culture encourage the sharing of data to enhance safety?    Timely Feedback: PATRON Juliet Hotel is back from his long, unplanned cross country. PATRON Tango November is a private pilot! Congratulations! PATRON Joe the Airbus Guy sent...

Episode 136 Show Notes   Topic of the show: We get a couple of different perspectives on the Class Bravo violator.  What else could the controller do to make sure the pilot was not medically incapacitated?  Did the pilot need special assistance?  We will share our opinion and get to more of your awesome feedback!   Timely Feedback: PATRON Tango Kilo is an instrument pilot! Congratulations! PATRON...

Episode 135 Show Notes   Topic of the show:   This week, we are going to read a story about a missed radio call and subsequent pilot initiated go around.  Situational awareness and prompt pilot action prevented a loss of runway separation.  AG and RH will discuss what we can all learn from this story.    Timely Feedback: Juliet Papa is a Private Pilot! Congratualtions! PATRON Juliet Hotel sent in...

Episode 134 Show Notes   Topic of the show: AG and RH give their opinion on how to handle a potential violation of airspace.  How can we conduct ourselves on the radio to avoid escalating a conflict?  What actions do the professionals take in situations where they may have made a mistake?  Thank you to PATRONs IM, CH, and MD for your awesome answers!   Timely Feedback: Juliet Oscar wants us to cla...

Episode 133 Show Notes   Topic of the show:  What happens when we file an IFR flight plan in the air but the controller has already cleared us to our destination before we call Flight Service?  Why would the pilot have to call FSS if they had a clearance already? We will cover this and more of your awesome feedback.    Timely Feedback: PATRON Delta Mike asked about advertising our favorite approac...

Episode 132 Show Notes   Topic of the show:  This week, RH and AG discuss the differences between approach types in terms of pilot and controller workload and difficulty.   What is our favorite type of approach and why?  And of course, more of your awesome questions!   Timely Feedback: Delta Yankee has timely feedback about the closely spaced parallel approaches and visual conditions. PATRON Delta...

Episode 131 Show Notes   Topic of the show: AG and RH continue the discussion on traffic; specifically calling traffic in sight and the pilot's responsibilities after the call is made.  What happens if you lose the traffic?  What are the controller's responsibilities after the pilot says they lost the traffic?  All of that and more of your awesome feedback!   Timely Feedback: Supreme Galactic Avia...

Episode 130 Show Notes   Topic of the show: AG and RH explain several different types of traffic calls and situations.  Do we need the pilots to see one another?  What happens if you have them in sight?  What happens if you don't see them?    Timely Feedback: India Lima walks us down his memory lane and his amazing career in air traffic. PATRON Bravo Sierra has a great story about traffic in sight...

Episode 129 Show Notes   Topic of the show: AG and RH discuss ATC traffic calls. When do we issue them?  What are the pilot responsibilities for reporting traffic in sight?  What can controllers do knowing pilots have other aircraft in sight.  We answer all these questions and much more.    Timely Feedback: Delta Alpha from Big Apple asks about staffing and training. PATRON Alpha Whiskey asks abou...

Episode 128 Show Notes Topic of the show: AG and RH discuss how controllers all have their own way of doing things.  What happens when we sit down and the previous controller created a situation we don't like?  How do we make the problem run our way?   Timely Feedback: Delta Victor from the approach control mentioned last week responds to our discussion about an arrival to a Class Delta being left...

Episode 127 Show Notes   Topic of the show: RH and AG discuss what a pilot can do to get out of a jam when they are left high on an approach.    Timely Feedback: PATRON Tango Hotel sent in a great audio question! Bravo Foxtrot got selected to take the air traffic test. Congratulations!   Feedback Echo Romeo asks about "approved as requested" phraseology. Charlie Alpha asks for our take on partiall...

Episode 126 Show Notes Topic of the show: AG and RH break down the importance of timing when turning aircraft onto final and illustrate the differences between aircraft with widely different speeds.  Timely Feedback: Air Traffic Controllers are an integral part of the aviation safety system! PATRON Charlie Mike left audio about aircraft equipment knowledge. Whiskey Echo Bravo left feedback about t...

Episode 125 Show Notes Topic of the show:   RH and AG got the help of a TERPS expert answering a listener question about unpublished hold instructions on a missed approach.  Links referenced in the Terps Elf answer: FAA's Instrument Flight Procedures Information Gateway  , FAA Form 8260-2   , CRQ ILS 24   Timely Feedback: PATRON helped us answer a question about the Blue Angels and frequency usage...

Episode 124 Show Notes Topic of the show: AG and RH discuss why we refer to the aircraft on approach as "my final".  Why are we so possessive of this area of airspace and why do we celebrate when we do it well? Mentioned in the opening: Race City Flight Operations at 14A Airport (Lake Norman Airport).  Stop by on May 16th for some food trucks, airplanes, and a reminder of "normal".  Also, check ou...

Episode 123 Show Notes Topic of the show: AG and RH break down the details of an arrival with "descend via" instructions with the help of PATRON Joe the Airbus Guy.  We also find out what our listeners want to do in aviation when we get back to the new normal. Timely Feedback: PATRON Echo Golf sent in audio feedback about the show. PATRON Whiskey Charlie sent a confession. PATRON Sierra Hotel sent...

Episode 122 Show Notes Topic of the show: What is taking that controller so long?  Whiskey Charlie sent in a question on OB120 about a reroute that took a little while in the tower.  On this episode, we will hear from two of the controllers that work at the facility providing the outstanding service.  We find out why the reroute took so long, what obstacles are in the controller's way, and how the...

Episode 121 Show Notes Topic of the show: AG and RH got some great feedback about two topics recently: flight following in the SoCal area and the use of autopilot on checkrides.  We will share our thoughts and you can hear what our listeners think!  RH and AG were recently interviewed by Carl Valeri on the Stuck Mic AvCast episode 237! Timely Feedback: Part 1: PATRONS Bravo Sierra, Delta Bravo, an...

Episode 120 Show Notes Topic of the show: What are "Opposing Bases"?  Also, PATRON Whiskey Charlie asked about reroute selection, chart usage, and general controller/pilot type of knowledge in the tower.  AG and RH will give our opinions on the disconnect between two sides of the microphone.   Timely Feedback: PATRON Juliet Bravo sent in some local VFR feedback for SoCal area. Supreme Galactic Avi...

Episode 119 Show Notes Show Topic: AG and RH talk about their favorite instructors of all time!  We dig deep into the inbox and get to some more of your awesome questions and feedback!  Happy Monday!   Feedback Romeo Whiskey the "Terps Elf" sent in his confessions. PATRON Juliet Bravo sent in a question about equipment suffixes. Alpha Foxtrot sent audio about practice areas. Charlie Mike sent a qu...

Episode 118 Show Notes Topic of the show: We asked listeners about their favorite instructor and we have some great feedback.  We are going to resist the urge to talk about current events.  Please use this show as a momentary escape from reality and stay safe, healthy, and happy.  We will get through this time and we will be stronger for it! Timely Feedback: PayPal Supporter Juliet Foxtrot sent au...

Episode 117 Show Notes Topic of the show: In this week's installment of normalcy, we discuss Flight Checks .  What are they?  Who does them?  How do controllers safely handle these critically important missions?  AG and RH share our experiences and answer more of your awesome feedback!  Timely Feedback: PATRON Delta Mike Guy Named After a Texas Town asked what happens when we have to adapt to dyna...

Episode 116 Show Notes Topic of the show: "Climb Via SID" vs. "Climb and Maintain" phraseology present a challenge depending on how the clearance is executed on departure.  We break down the difference and illustrate some techniques for pilots that aren't sure exactly what clearance they have been issued. Last day to get the latest Opposing Bases T-Shirt!  Click now to purchase before it's too lat...

Episode 115 Show Notes Topic of the show: What if a control instruction places you close to another piece of airspace that is controlled by another facility?  Should you call both controllers?  Should you be monitoring both frequencies?  AG and RH try to clear up some of the confusion and give their opinions on best practices to stay safe!  Great questions from PATRON Bravo Yankee! Get the latest...