Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk

Have a great week, and thanks for listening to Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk! ✈️ Real pilots. Real controllers. Real talk. 🎙️ Visit OpposingBases.com for show notes, merch, and more. 🎧 Want early access, bonus content, and full back-catalog access? Join the crew and support the show at opposingbases.supercast.com or visit the Support page on our website. 🗣️ Your feedback fuels the show! Use the...

Have a great week, and thanks for listening to Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk! ✈️ Real pilots. Real controllers. Real talk. 🎙 ️ Visit OpposingBases.com for show notes, merch, and more. 🎧 Want early access, bonus content, and full back-catalog access? Join the crew and support the show at opposingbases.supercast.com or visit the Support page on our website. 🗣 ️ Your feedback fuels the show! Use t...

Have a great week, and thanks for listening to Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk! ✈️ Real pilots. Real controllers. Real talk. 🎙 ️ Visit OpposingBases.com for show notes, merch, and more. 🎧 Want early access, bonus content, and full back-catalog access? Join the crew and support the show at opposingbases.supercast.com or visit the Support page on our website. 🗣 ️ Your feedback fuels the show! Use t...

OB287: Notice—AirVenture Is Approaching (Rebroadcast) With AirVenture just days away, we're revisiting one of our most popular prep episodes: OB287. Originally recorded in 2023, this episode walks through the Fisk Arrival, AirVenture planning tips, common pilot mistakes, and practical reminders for anyone flying into OSH. ✈️ 2025 Changes to Know: ATIS on 125.9 now reaches out ~60 miles at 3,000 fe...

Episode 391 Show Notes   Topic of the show: In this episode, RH and AG revisit a recent ATC radar and radio outage to explore why some facilities/pilots can't simply "call Center" when everything fails. They break down the structural differences between co-located and remote sectors and why redundancy didn't work as expected. We also discussed a listener's question about what happens when multiple...

Episode 390 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, RH and AG discuss audio feedback from the Badger Pilot on best practices for conducting practice approaches if the tower is no longer participating in radar like services.   We also discuss parallel ILS/RNAV approaches, tons of checkride announcements, and more of your amazing aviation feedback/questions.     Feedback 1. Patron EM as...

Episode 389 Show Notes Topic of the show: On this week's show, AG and RH discuss recent changes in how VFR only towers provide radar approach services to pilots.   Who has responsibility for approaches in the airspace, what facilities can provide radar services, and why is the change important for pilots to understand?   We also discuss VFR vectors, pinch hitter courses, and how a malfunctioning i...

Episode 388 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, AG and RH discuss ATC communication and radar outages from the perspective of the pilot and the controller.   What are steps pilots and controllers can take to reestablish order and predictability when critical systems go down unexpectedly?   We also discuss a real-life backup handheld radio story, circling to land expectations and m...

Episode 387 Show Notes Topic of the show: Staying On Your Toes, Sponsored by Patron DF On this week's show, RH and AG discuss staying current and expanding your horizons in aviation.   How do you gain proficiency and confidence?   Why is this so important in your aviation story?    We also discuss a popular EFB routing issue, base entry reporting, and more of your awesome aviation questions.   Thi...

Episode 386 Show Notes Topic of the show: VFR Vectors to Final. Sponsored by SGAC Patron SA On this week's show, RH and AG discuss sequencing VFR's to a Charlie airport and the etiquette involved on both sides of the mic.   We also discuss a real life center controller sighting, confusing late night flying mistakes, and more of your awesome aviation feedback.   Links: https://youtu.be/Dml3O6Irmt0...

Episode 386 Show Notes Topic of the show: VFR Vectors to Final. Sponsored by SGAC Patron SA On this week's show, RH and AG discuss sequencing VFR's to a Charlie airport and the etiquette involved on both sides of the mic.   We also discuss a real life center controller sighting, confusing late night flying mistakes, and more of your awesome aviation feedback.   Links: https://youtu.be/Dml3O6Irmt0...

Episode 385 Show Notes   Topic of the show: When Airways Don't Intersect Sponsored by SGAC Patron BD .   When your amended routing includes airways that look connected but actually aren't, what could possibly go wrong? We break down a real-world clearance confusion, the LOA behind it, and why trusting your automation might land you in a holding pattern of regret.   Timely Feedback: 1. Patron SRS m...

Episode 385 Show Notes   Topic of the show: When Airways Don't Intersect Sponsored by SGAC Patron BD .   When your amended routing includes airways that look connected but actually aren't, what could possibly go wrong? We break down a real-world clearance confusion, the LOA behind it, and why trusting your automation might land you in a holding pattern of regret.   Timely Feedback: 1. Patron SRS m...

Episode 385 Show Notes   Topic of the show: When Airways Don't Intersect Sponsored by SGAC Patron BD .   When your amended routing includes airways that look connected but actually aren't, what could possibly go wrong? We break down a real-world clearance confusion, the LOA behind it, and why trusting your automation might land you in a holding pattern of regret.   Timely Feedback: 1. Patron SRS m...

Episode 384 Show Notes Topic of the show: Mommy, Where do LOA's Come From? RH and AG discuss Letters of Agreement between facilities. What are they, how do they work, why are they necessary?   We also discuss some more career feedback for aspiring professional pilots and air traffic controllers, losing radios and using a satellite phone, and more of your awesome aviation questions and feedback.  ...

Episode 384 Show Notes Topic of the show: Mommy, Where do LOA's Come From? RH and AG discuss Letters of Agreement between facilities. What are they, how do they work, why are they necessary?   We also discuss some more career feedback for aspiring professional pilots and air traffic controllers, losing radios and using a satellite phone, and more of your awesome aviation questions and feedback.  ...

Episode 384 Show Notes Topic of the show: Mommy, Where do LOA's Come From? RH and AG discuss Letters of Agreement between facilities. What are they, how do they work, why are they necessary?   We also discuss some more career feedback for aspiring professional pilots and air traffic controllers, losing radios and using a satellite phone, and more of your awesome aviation questions and feedback.  ...

Episode 383 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Aviation Career Day #3, sponsored by Patrons and PayPal supporters!   On this week's show, RH and AG discuss the details of a pilot or controller career.   We encourage everyone interested in these two career fields to ask questions, learn as much as you can about the field, and prepare for the inevitable challenges you will face in this industry.   We a...

Episode 382 Show Notes     Topic of the show: On this week's show, AG and RH dig deeper into the time building phase for pilots and the training marathon for air traffic controllers.   What do they recommend in these stages?   What makes someone a standout candidate for the professional level?   How can you prepare to get through this stage successfully?   We also discuss hold for release, filing...

Episode 381 Show Notes     Topic of the show: On this week's show, RH and AG dig deep into the application process for ATC and professional pilots.   What are the prerequisites to apply?   What should you expect in the application process?   How do you choose the right flight school?   How do you prepare for the Academy?   We are starting a multi part series on the aviation careers we know the bes...

Episode 380 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, RH and AG discuss the hazards of helicopter wake turbulence and rotor wash.   Patron Alpha Delta shares an awesome example of how a pilot can mitigate the risk and how ATC can facilitate a solution.   Helicopter wake vortices present a hazard on the ground and for arriving and departing aircraft.   We also have follow up feedback on...

Episode 379 Show Notes   Topic of the show: The Wake Turbulence Wait Sponsored by Patron MC. RH and AG discuss the separation for wake turbulence and the various techniques used to achieve required separation at busy airports. What can a pilot say to ATC to avoid the awkward pause while waiting on the runway?   What is the tower controller doing to ensure a safe and legal distance between a heavy...

Episode 378 Show Notes   Topic of the show: DCA NTSB Preliminary Report and Recommendations On this week's show, RH and AG review some of the preliminary findings from the investigation and share our opinions on the recommendations.   We also play a public service announcement regarding drones, hear an awesome idea on night flight planning, and get to a mountain of your questions and feedback.    ...

Episode 377 Show Notes   Topic of the show:   On this week's show, RH and AG break down the differences and possible traps in picking up your IFR clearance in the air vs. getting it on the ground.    What prevents a controller from issuing it immediately?   Why does the weather matter?   What can a pilot do to prepare for either method to get the best service?   We also discuss our severe reading...

Episode 376 Show Notes   Topic of the show:   Deconflicting Satellite Approaches, Sponsored by SGAC Patron AM On this week's show, AG and RH discuss what happens when approaches to different airports conflict.   How does ATC ensure separation?   Who goes first?   When is the conflict resolved?   We also discuss more feedback about EDCTs, "say heading", runway changes, and more of your awesome feed...