Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk

Episode 265 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Alpha Golf toured three facilities in the greater Cowboy Bravo area and shares all of his observations like the high volume of traffic, the complexity of the airspace, and the workload on each controller.  We also discuss go arounds, ADS-B coverage and equipage, and magically making a VFR aircraft IFR.  This is a really fun episode you won't want to miss...

Episode 264 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, AG and RH explain why the arrivals and departures conflict, how we solve those issues at TRIAD, and why our airspace and traffic levels make the solution different than a larger Class Bravo airport.  We also discuss pop up IFR clearances and hear some audio of the world's fastest controllers.  You don't want to miss this episode!   T...

Episode 263 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Visual approaches can be one of the most poorly understood procedures for a newly certified instrument pilot.  On this week's show, AG and RH review some basic assumptions behind visual approaches, the timing of calling the field in sight, and understanding your position in relation to traffic off the airport.      Timely Feedback: 1 . Patron RM shares a...

Episode 262 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On today's show, we answer a question from a pilot that had a last second go-around with multiple aircraft in either direction.  What did ATC do right and what could they have done to improve the outcome of this traffic scenario?  What can the pilot do to prepare for an imminent go around and allow adequate time for ATC to formulate a backup plan?  We al...

Episode 261 Show Notes   Topic of the show: A student pilot is in busy airspace near a Class Bravo surface area without a Class B clearance.  What did the student say to get an immediate solution from ATC?  Find out on this episode.  We also discuss reroutes, listening skills, and the service provided by Angel Flight pilots.  This was a really fun way to start our 6th year doing weekly episodes. ...

Episode 260 Show Notes   Topic of the show: RH and AG celebrate the last episode of 2022 and the completion of five full years of weekly episodes!  On this week's show, we discuss visual approaches into busy Class D airports, the importance of alternate airport planning, approach request etiquette, approach plate nuances, and many more of your aviation questions.  We would like to wish the aviatio...

A fun collection of sound bites from 2022. Enjoy!

Episode 259 Show Notes   Topic of the show: We endorse flight following!  But what should you do if you can't break the controller away long enough to initiate flight following?  We will discuss busy airspace, conflicting traffic, and tools to ensure you get flight following services as early as possible.  We also discuss lost communication, alternate airports, and more of your awesome aviation fe...

Episode 258 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, we will talk about last minute ATC amended instructions, how to handle them, and why they may be happening.  We also discuss ILS Critical Areas, confusing ATC instructions, and more of your awesome aviation questions and feedback!    Timely Feedback: 1 . Patron DR from Ireland shared some more friendly words about our American Englis...

Episode 257 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, we discuss the filing of a flight plan to practice approaches at multiple airports in actual IMC weather.  How does a pilot let ATC know what they want to do in the filed flight plan?  What can the pilots do to maximize efficiency on a practice flight?  We also discuss easing back in to work after some time off, navigating busy airsp...

Episode 256 Show Notes   Topic of the show: This week, AG and RH get into the details of transitioning from an IFR approach and circling maneuver to VMC while joining traffic at a non-towered airport.  When should you cancel IFR?  Should you remain IFR until reaching the ground?  What other considerations should be made in determining when to cancel but remain safe.  We also discuss straight in ap...

Episode 255 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show we discuss double IFR flight plans, handling in flight malfunctions expeditiously but safely, and more of your awesome aviation questions and feedback.  Why was the controller trying to convince an inbound aircraft to a towered airport to cancel IFR?  What happened to their outbound flight plan?  And how can the pilot navigate the awk...

Episode 254 Show Notes   Topic of the show: How can pilots avoid the pitfalls of expectation bias with regards to NOTAMs?  We offer some easy tips to avoid some taxi instruction traps.  We also discuss tower operational hours and flight following in no man's land.  RH ends the show with a rant about a rule change.  Enjoy this episode made up entirely of Patron feedback!   Timely Feedback: 1 . SGAC...

Episode 253 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, we will discuss some of the intricacies of filing an IFR flight plan to an airport without an instrument approach procedure.  What approach options exist?  Do you need an alternate airport?  And when you depart, what happens on the controller side of things when issuing your clearance?  We also discuss checkrides, atypical phraseolog...

Episode 252 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, we discuss a pilot's decision to go missed on an instrument approach to avoid a midair collision.  What did the pilot do right and what could they have done to help avoid the situation.  We also discuss Class Delta transition clearances, passive flight following, and more of your aviation questions and feedback.  This show is 100% Pa...

Episode 251 Show Notes   Topic of the show: We've talked about handoffs and airspace boundaries but today we discuss the finer points involved with transferring radar control to an adjacent sector or facility.  How do we accomplish this task legally and what happens between a handoff and the boundary?  We also discuss ways to safeguard against the normalization of risky behavior in your airplane. ...

250th Episode!  Thanks for being a part of this big milestone!  Please take the time to share the show with a friend and leave us a review and five star rating so everyone hears about the most fun you can have listening to a podcast!  -RH and AG   Topic of the show: On this week's episode, AG and RH discuss the perfect amount of information for your next long VFR cross country flight.  Which addit...

Episode 249 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, RH and AG discuss ways flight schools can organize and plan their flights to help ATC and reduce unnecessary flying miles and extra back and forth exchanges of information.  What techniques did our flight schools employ to keep everyone safely separated during practice missions and what did ATC do to help us reduce communications?  T...

Episode 248 Show Notes (updated audio file)   Topic of the show: You've heard us mention automation and handoffs and flight plan updates but, in this episode, we try to explain it in a way that makes sense to everyone.  Why is flight plan routing so critical for interfacility handoffs and what can the pilot do in order to increase efficiency during deviations.  We also discuss ADS-B data feeds, up...

Episode 247 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's episode, we discuss aircraft speed limits and dig deep into the regulations to answer a listener question.  Can ATC assign a speed greater than 200 knots below a Class Bravo shelf?  We also discuss following a drone, resolution advisories, and more of your awesome questions.    Timely Feedback: 1 . The Badger Pilot's public apology for a v...

Episode 246 Show Notes   Topic of the show: On this week's show, we run down a list of operational questions and explain who is working during a normal shift, position responsibilities, and the impact of short bursts of traffic on the operation.  We also discuss a radio failure in the tower, termination of radar services, and more of your awesome aviation questions and feedback.   Timely Feedback:...

Episode 245 Show Notes   Topic of the show: New tower at TRIAD is only a few weeks away!  RH and AG talk about the training required to make the move to the new building and our thoughts on the new facility.  This was a really fun episode!  We also discuss VFR weather deviation tolerance and a missed approach without communication with the tower.    Timely Feedback: 1 . Patron EH asked us to clari...

Episode 244 Show Notes   Topic of the show: A student pilot sounds confused and disoriented on a cross country flight so we discuss ways an instructor and student can better prepare for flights to unfamiliar places.  Cross country flights are one of the most important steps to becoming a safe pilot and should serve as confidence builders for the aspiring pilot.  We also discuss some user tips on a...

Episode 243 Show Notes   Topic of the show:  We regularly endorse the use of flight following to increase safety in the NAS and on this week's show, we review the services provided by air traffic control when you are being watched by the ATC Gods. Why should you get flight following?  Find out today!     Timely Feedback: 1 . Alpha Charlie answers most of our glider tow questions from last week. 2...

Episode 242 Show Notes   Topic of the show: A Cirrus Vision Jet pilot found a really creative, funny, and informative way to help controllers understand the SF50's performance capabilities.  On this week's show, we will discuss some common misconceptions about jets versus turbo prop aircraft, performance considerations, and important information pilots can share with ATC so everyone is on the same...