Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk

Revised addition Episode 191 Show Notes   Topic of the show: How much room below glideslope does a pilot have until they are too close to obstacles?  We hear from the Terps Elf about obstacle clearance on the ILS and the importance of maintaining your vertical path on the glideslope to avoid hitting the ground or obstacles.    Timely Feedback: 1. SGAC PATRON SE sent information about the dual transmitters. 2. PATRON Zulu Zulu sent in a menagerie of older, lost feedback.   Feedback PATRON Papa Tango has a question about emergency tags. PATRON Juliet Mike sent vector to final feedback. Bravo Delta is back in the airplane after a long break! Juliet Kilo sent audio feedback.   Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can support our show using Patreon or visiting our support page on the website.  Keep the feedback coming, it drives the show! Don’t be shy, use the “Send Audio to AG and RH” button on the website and record an audio message. Or you can send us comme

Episode 190 Show Notes   Topic of the show: Hold for release phraseology is used every single day throughout the NAS at non-towered airports to expedite IFR clearances.  How should a pilot handle it when they run into a brick wall trying to get their IFR on the ground so they can load up the FMS/GPS?  We discuss our ideas and explain what it means when we use this technique.    Timely Feedback: 1. PATRON Juliet Mike had an interesting exchange with ATC on his way home from AirVenture. 2. PATRON Mike November shares his thoughts about the show. Thank you!   Feedback SGAC PATRON Charlie Hotel sent in Coffee Class Bravo comments. PATRON Papa Kilo thought he was hypoxic. What did he tell ATC? Echo Yankee sent an audio question about flight plan information. Echo Yankee sent an audio comment about NOTAMS and acronyms. PATRON Bravo Bravo asked about getting a flight following squawk on the ground at a non-towered airport. Sierra Golf got an IFR clearance but the information wasn’t passed to the next sector prope

Episode 189 Show Notes   Topic of the show: When pilots and controllers get into an argument on frequency, nobody wins.  It’s a waste of time and can most likely be solved on the ground using a phone.  AG and RH explain what they consider before engaging in an argument or heated discussion on frequency.    Timely Feedback:   1. PATRON Mike Bravo sent a video of his departure from AirVenture on Saturday. 2. Mike Kilo lives in the middle finger of the mitten state and has a comment. 3. PATRON Romeo Mike talked with the controller with atrocious settings.   Feedback   PATRON Whiskey Bravo has a question about Bravo transitions and transponder ID flashes. PATRON Papa Victor has a question about transmitters.   Mentioned on the show: OB188 Live From AirVenture, EAA AirVenture NOTAM Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can support our show using Patreon or visiting our support page on the website.  Keep the feedback coming, it drives the show! Don’t be shy, use

AG and RH are live at EAA AirVenture 2021! We discuss the origins of Opposing Bases, answer live questions from the audience, and hear feedback from our most valuable show supporters. The sounds of EAA AirVenture in the background will make you feel like you were at the live show! Thank you for attending and see you next year! To learn more about EAA, click here.  Thank you for allowing us to record a show at the Forums! #OSH21 A special thanks to all our Patreon supporters and our volunteer sound guy Alpha Hotel.  You are the best! Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can support our show using Patreon or visiting our support page on the website.  Keep the feedback coming, it drives the show! Don’t be shy, use the “Send Audio to AG and RH” button on the website and record an audio message. Or you can send us comments or questions to feedback@opposingbases.com. Find us on twitter @opposing_bases.  Music by audionautix.com.  Third party audio provided by livea

Episode 187 Show Notes   Topic of the show: When a pilot has the airport in sight, sometimes a visual approach clearance is delayed.  But when the controllers point out the airport and the pilot can’t find the field, it can create problems for ATC.  Find out when super vision helps and when it hurts.  We also discuss law enforcement flights, hazardous missed approaches, and more of your awesome aviation questions.    Timely Feedback: PATRON Alpha Mike Bravo is curious about the recent TRIAD ATC situation. Sierra Papa has some feedback about “when able, cleared direct . . .” phraseology. SGAC PATRON Sierra Echo shares some tips on PDC and last minute flight plan changes.   Feedback SGAC PATRON MRM shares thoughts on the show. Welcome to Patreon! Hotel Bravo seeks some clarification on proper readbacks with altimeter settings. Tango Sierra is back in the saddle and doing their best to keep up! PATRON Charlie Alpha has a feedback catchup session: missed approaches and internal pep talks. Golf Hotel asks our t

Bonus Episode: 2021 EAA AirVenture NOTAM   On this week’s episode, we will review some highlights of the 2021 EAA AirVenture NOTAM.  Print the NOTAM and follow along as Romeo Hotel and Mike from the Flying and Life podcast review important changes to this year’s arrival procedures.  As always, fly safely and see you at AirVenture!   Helpful links:   RH and Mike’s first NOTAM episode: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/opposingbases/1412947-ob81-eaa-airventure-oshkosh-notam.mp3   NOTAM: https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-fly-in-flying-to-oshkosh/eaa-airventure-oshkosh-notam   NTSB Safety Alert: http://ntsb.gov/safety/safety-alerts/Documents/SA_053.pdf   Watch all 5 videos: https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-fly-in-flying-to-oshkosh/vfr-airventure-arrival-and-departure Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can support our show using Patreon or visiting our support page on the website.  Keep the feedback coming, it drives the show! Don’t be shy, use the “Send Audi

Episode 186 Show Notes   Topic of the show: A recent video on the internet sparked a conversation about Class Delta air traffic services, a pilot’s responsibility to see and avoid other traffic, and the primary job of air traffic controllers.  In this week’s episode, we will add our thoughts to the conversation.  A link to the video can be found in the show notes.   Timely Feedback: 1. SGAC Patron Darth Pilot responds to OB185 and vectors to final for an RNAV approach. 2. PATRON Sierra India (fellow controller) shares audio on what his center does everyday. 3. Romeo Alpha shares some audio about a random run in with ATC.   Feedback PATRON Echo Mike sent audio about facility changes and how it effects controllers. PATRON Juliet Echo Foxtrot asks about atrocious settings on the radar scope. PATRON Delta Hotel asks about non-ADSB radar identification and traffic alerts.   Mentioned on the show: AvWeb’s Paul Bertorelli: https://youtu.be/FM3dmaC4z8E.  A reminder to our listeners: AG and RH do not speak on beha

Episode 185 Show Notes   Topic of the show: RH and AG discuss the importance of controllers having a basic understanding of the GPS/RNAV approach and vectors versus initial fix usage.  We discuss some easy tips for pilots and controllers to avoid confusion when executing RNAV approaches and issuing clearances.   All feedback episode!   Feedback *moved to OB186* PATRON Echo Charlie wants to know why he didn’t get a “hold for release” clearance. PATRON Romeo Whiskey shares his solo story! Tango Mike asked about dual tower frequencies at busier airports. Juliet Bravo shares more fun facts about military solo operations. PATRON Tango Bravo asks about IFR route filing with fixes inside center airspace. PATRON Romoe November wants to know who is who and what is what in the TRACON. PATRON Echo Bravo want to learn about same runway separation.     No new question of the week Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can support our show using Patreon or visiting our sup

Episode 184 Show Notes   Topic of the show: A pilot explains his decision-making process while experiencing an inflight emergency.  We learn how he dealt with air traffic control, flying the plane, and briefing his passengers.  Great job, Mike Bravo!  We also get an update on the “Mayday Mayday Mayday” episode from earlier this summer.    Timely Feedback: 1. Charlie Charlie asked for an update on the engine emergency we discussed on our bonus episode earlier this summer. Audio update! 2. Lima Alpha shares some feedback about Pan Pan usage. 3. PATRON Echo Charlie shares some feedback about his recent simulator training. 4. Mike Kilo shares audio regarding another controller’s efforts to keep planes from colliding.   Feedback PATRON Kilo Foxtrot says thanks for the show! PATRON Delta Romeo Hotel asks about remote radio backup battery failures. Romeo Mike wants to know our thoughts on what his non pilot passengers can do in order to get help if the pilot becomes incapacitated. Can ATC help? Kilo Charlie is wo

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 formation flight. Thank you! 2. PATRON Papa Victor wants some intel on strip scanners. 3. PATRON Papa Mike asks about “resume own navigation”. 4. PATRON Sierra India shares the center point of view on Class Delta operations.     Feedback PATRON Echo Charlie does his best to get under RLH’s skin with some fancy phraseology. SGAC PATRON Darth Pilot loves a through clearance! Bravo Tango shares audio. PATRON Bravo Yankee asks about low and slow guys getting SIDs in their clearance. PATRON MZ wants to know some more about Center’s work.     Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.c

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 shared two links for your viewing pleasure. One about mental math for descent planning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDGQshynEKA&t=2790s and one about fuel planning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydogesjgmzU 4. PATRON Juliet Golf shared a funny story about correcting a controller’s phraseology. 5. PATRON Echo Hotel shares thoughts on OB181 and gives us a chance to clear something up.   Feedback PATRON Golf Mike, the “Unicorn Guy” shared a story about Clam Chowder Bravo ATC. Bravo Delta explains the visual separation on takeoffs at his airport. Delta Kilo asks about non formation “group” flying. Tango Delta

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 instrument check ride! Congratulations! 3. PATRON Juliet Golf shares a story about CTAF and TCAS. 4. PATRON Juliet Mike shares a TCAS story. 5. Juliet Hotel shares thoughts on the ATSB investigation into the LAHSO operation discussed a few episodes ago.   Feedback PATRON Bravo Sierra asks about the differences between Class Delta under a center vs. a Tracon. Mike Delta asks about required documentation for pilot’s receiving the ATIS. PATRON Sierra India shares an airport with common circling and IFR cancelation before the manuever. Tango Kilo asks about flight following in a TRSA.   Mentioned on the show: Wings of Carolin

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 traffic avoidance. 3. PATRON Juliet Echo Foxtrot overflew Delta and said hello. Now what? 4. SGAC PATRON Sierra Echo shares a noise abatement story.   Feedback PATRON November Mike asked about canceling with a tower that just closed. Mike Lima asked about parallel pattern traffic spacing. Romeo Whiskey has a great question about descent planning. Juliet Mike is an instrument pilot! Congratulations! Foxtrot Alpha Mike asks about reroutes and fuel considerations. PATRON Papa Tango asks about a target falling off the scope. Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can suppor

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 restaurant at BQ1 airport burned down.  If you’d like to help them out, please consider donating using this Go Fund Me link and thank you! https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-the-pik-n-pig-after-fire?qid=f9016afaed33feb25c1741cdf8da2255   Timely Feedback: 1. Patron Echo Golf shares solo military examples. 2. Patron Juliet Tango questions RH’s terrible short-term memory! 3. Tango Victor shares an audio confession. 4. Patron Joe the Airbus Guy shares audio about radar contact over the ocean.   Feedback Romeo Charlie shares audio about noise abatement. Patron November Sierra has a question about runway changes. Pa

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 information about LSAs and IMC. 2. SGAC PATRON “Darth Pilot” shares a request for holding instead of delay vectors. 3. Kilo Sierra shares some commentary on the airport mentioned a few episodes ago with a busy pattern and a denied go around.   Feedback SGAC PATRON Bravo Sierra asks about reroutes around special events airspace. PATRON Delta Zulu shares a pirep conundrum and asks for our advice on issuing them. Papa Whiskey wants to know if talking to a Delta controller well outside their airspace is a good idea. Spoiler alert: it’s always a good idea to let air traffic know you are there! PATRON Alpha Echo asks about con

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 Opposing Bases T Shirt. 2. New Patron Juliet Golf shares his thoughts on the IFR reroute comments in OB176. 3. Patron Bravo Whiskey shares more insight into E-AB planes and IMC.   Feedback Mike Echo from Australia shares a scary (but hilarious) LAHSO story. http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2015/aair/ao-2015-084/ http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/5774670/ao-2015-084-final.pdf Patron Alpha Bravo Mike want to know our thoughts on pop up IFR clearances. Patron Juliet Victor shares a tip for RH and his bucket list.https://www.s-211training.com/. Patron and fellow controller SI shares some regulatio

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 shares some thoughts on TV research departments. 2. Lima Bravo is waiting for eagle activity to show up on the ATIS. 3. Juliet Golf shares a story of getting and IFR shortcut.   Feedback JFS shares a story of a mountain airport mess: one way in and out. PATRON Mike Golf has questions about IFR flight plans and clearances. Julie Charlie has a question about speed control. PATRON Echo Whiskey wants to share a tip for holding instructions. PATRON Juliet Papa shares a pet peeve about his company callsign. PATRON Romeo Mike has a question about divert inquiries.   Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our

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 lull him to sleep. 2. PATRON Mike Kilo shares the background on the DA20 and IFR/IMC. 3. PATRON Juliet Sierra gives her instructor feedback on the DA20 and IFR training.   Show Topic feedback provided by Patron Mike Whiskey.  Great questions!   Feedback PATRON JEC asked about a typical shift at TRIAD Tower. PATRON JPJ wants the real story on the forklift accident mentioned in OB060. NMF from the UK shares their techniques for circuit traffic management. Juliet Foxtrot asks about clearances below MVA.   Mentioned on the show: https://fsims.faa.gov/wdocs/8900.1/v05%20airman%20cert/chapter%2002/05_002_009rev1_chg_0a.h

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 list servers. Thank you! 2. PATRON Hotel Golf sent audio about bonehead instruction from ATC. 3. PATRON Mike Kilo illustrates user defined waypoint entry: https://youtu.be/Jj73rKDyBhg 4. PATRON Oscar Charlie has a simple ask for ATC. 5. PATRON Echo Golf sent audio about PDC and CPDLC.   Feedback PATRON Delta Mike sent a question about disappearing runway options for IFR departures and the Terps Elf helps solve the mystery. November Sierra wants to hear about our checkrides. Juliet Bravo wants to know if 121.5 is recorded. PATRON Juliet Hotel shares some more information about “expect” altitudes. PATRON Captain Nic