Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk

Show Notes AG and RH give their opinions on how to bridge the gap between controllers and pilots on everyday flights.  Don’t be shy.  Tell the controllers what you want or need and you might be surprised at the results.  We discuss incorrect assumptions and the use of plain English with ATC.  We also share some timely advice from a listener about degraded pilot skills with the onset of Spring.  Fly safe and enjoy this week's show!  Timely Feedback: 1. PATRON CW explains the LSA IMC rule. http://www.flyrv12.com/slsa-ifr-operation-and-training/ 2. PATRON Bravo Charlie explains his experience with SOFs. 3. Sierra Delta sent audio about supervisor of flying. 4. Bravo Delta explains the flights school departure/arrival procedure. 5. PATRON Bravo Delta is looking for the TRIAD gift shop. #astronauthat   Feedback PATRON Papa Mike asks about delay vectors. Juliet Bravo asks why we can’t just make some Class Bravo’s bigger. PATRON Romeo Mike asked who is responsible for FICON reports. PATRON Whisky Charlie shares h

Show Notes   Topic of the show: This week we will address some of the pilot pet peeves.  What drives you crazy?  How can ATC limit the number of things that drive you crazy?  We also discuss ICAO codes, busy frequencies, and more of your awesome questions and feedback.      Timely Feedback: 1. PATRON Mike Kilo shares audio on equipment suffixes. 2. PATRON Juliet Kilo sent some audio about litigation in aviation. https://h2o.law.harvard.edu/cases/5550/export. 3. PATRON Delta Sierra comments on last week’s episode. 4. PATRON Tango Papa shares some audio about military towers. 5. PATRON Echo Golf shares his military tower experience. SGAC Patron VAB shares his thoughts on the show. Thank you!   Feedback Audio feedback from an anonymous listener. Thanks! Mike Whiskey wants to know if we can detect audio signatures. PATRON Bravo Bravo wants to know what to do at the IAF if the controller didn’t issue an approach clearance.   Mentioned: https://youtu.be/EXEuG-MqZtI Have a great week and thanks for listening!  V

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 question, do it now and we may read it on the show!   Timely Feedback: 1. PATRON AY soloed! Congratulations! 2. SGAC Patron BS shared his thoughts on OB170. 3. PATRON KW sent some cool links about Bonanzas with flares:   C35 Price list and specifications – See item 18 https://www.vintagebonanza.com/C35%20Brochure.pdf   Bonanza 35 Series Shop Manual – See page164 until heading FLARES (OPTIONAL) https://aircraftassociates.com/_files/200003154-b7c72b7c74/Bonanza%2035%20Shop%20Manual-compressed.pdf   Flippant referral to the flares like it’s totally normal at the top of the seventh page https://aeroresourcesinc.com/proj

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 flare launching control panel. PATRON Joe the Airbus Guy has solved the equipment suffix issue. Papa Tango enjoyed OB169 and “ATC 101” PATRON CA is showcasing our Opposing Bases merchandise on her world tour.   Feedback PATRON DM asks about noise abatement versus assigned headings. PATRON MG shares audio about the last show and his ability to understand some aviation lingo after hearing our banter. PATRON PM wonders if we have ever heard of this type of departure procedure. PATRON JM got a terrible clearance and wants to know if he is missing anything. JC asks about equipment suffix changes and routing changes as a

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. PATRON Echo Hotel comments on our Class Bravo flying series. 3. PATRON Sierra Echo comments on PDC and his use of ForeFlight. 4. PATRON Alpha Bravo Mike provides a very good example of a contact approach.   Feedback PATRON Hotel Golf has a complaint! Romeo Sierra takes us back to a comment we made a long time ago. PATRON TSC sent audio feedback about ODPs. Delta Charlie asked about contract towers and quality control.   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 driv

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 PDCs. 4. SGAC Local Mike Bravo got a strange MVA warning on his VFR flight around the TRIAD. SGAC Charlie Mike has a question about losing comms before terminating radar service.   Feedback Sierra Bravo asks about tower assigned headings versus ODPs. PATRON Mike Mike From Under the Clam Chowder Bravo asks the Terps Elf for some help understanding a note on a procedure. Romeo Lima has an IFR clearance story on floats.   Mentioned: MVA Maps to ForeFlight: https://github.com/dark/faa-mva-kml   Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at OpposingBases.com You can support our show using Patreon or

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. PATRON Bravo Juliet offers the real stealth secrets. 5. Golf Mike says hello.   Feedback Juliet Papa Charlie shares his night landing story. PATRON Echo Alpha has a great way to remember to close your flight plan. Links mentioned: 1800wxbrief.com , https://www.faasteamtv.com/SafetyCenter/Leidos2018/  PATRON Echo Alpha has a story about an approach clearance to a closed runway. Juliet Lima Hotel asks about using guard frequency.   Mentioned on the show: https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/navigation/what-is-a-contact-approach-and-how-do-you-fly-it/ Have a great week and thanks for listening!  Visit our website at Opp

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 Exercise Valiant Shield. Link below. 2. Papa Tango shared his ideas on the creative use of flares on the Bonanza. 3. Alpha Charlie heard RH on radar a couple weeks ago and shared his thoughts.   Feedback SGAC Delta Charlie Whiskey has a question about terminating radar services when the controller is busy. SGAC PATRON Darth Pilot shared a story about VFR services in a busy Class Bravo! PATRON Charlie Sierra has a question about missed approaches on a visual at a non towered airport. https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/regulations/how-to-fly-go-arounds-from-visual-approaches-atc/   Mentions: https://en.wikipedia.org/

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 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 liveatc.net.  Friends of the show and maker of bags to protect your ATC headset from dust and germs: ATCSaks.com. Keep the gunk and funk away from your

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 information about the stealth planes seen during the Super Bowl. Links below. 2. PATRON JS shares his thoughts on landing on an unlit field. 3. PATRON KW shares some interesting facts about early model Bonanzas and flares. 4. PATRON MK shares his thoughts on using unlit fields.   Feedback PATRON MSS works in a different world of managing traffic. Mike Sierra is control in training and asks for our advice on being a successful trainee. Tango Victor recently soloed! PATRON DCW wants to know if there is standard phraseology for getting flight following and a code starting on the ground at a Class D airport.   Mentione

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 under VFR when the weather is IFR, Class Bravo boundaries, and more of your awesome questions and feedback!   Timely Feedback: 1. PATRON Kilo Whiskey shares his thoughts on wasted words over the radio. 2. Kilo Sierra offers a funny analogy on wasted radio calls. 3. PATRON Tango Kilo Hotel is curious about stealth technology on the Super Bowl flights. 4. PATRON Juliet Echo Charlie explains his regional pilot comment in last week’s episode.   Feedback SGAC PATRON Alpha Bravo Charlie wants to know how to pass on important messages to pilots. PATRON Bravo Foxtrot shared this video:https://youtu.be/-xjbvz-vE2E PATRON De

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 Feedback: 1. SGAC PATRON Bravo Juliet shares a fatigue story and safety elves. 2. SGAC PATRON Bravo Sierra shares his bucket list. One of them is the VFR corridor up the Hudson which another Patron did recently: https://youtu.be/aqqpjiLRUsM 3. PATRON Juliet Bravo shares his thoughts on the ODP episodes. 4. We share some feedback related to the radio sin of all radio sins: “Any traffic in the area, please advise”. And this article drives the point home: https://bruceair.wordpress.com/2014/09/29/2151/ 5. PATRON Juliet Charlie offers a new perspective on the lack of training on ODPs.   Feedback PATRON Juliet Echo Ch

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 story highlighted in a recent episode of AOPA’s “There I was” https://aopa.org/news-and-media/podcasts/podcasts/there-i-was Episode 26. 4. PATRON Charlie Alpha thinks we can make a great side show about old technology and shared https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/loose-units-the-podcast/id1445344726?i=1000424947339 (around minute 8:30).   Feedback SGAC PATRON Delta Golf sent audio feedback about his Cheratoga PA-32, ADS-B, and O2 systems. Check out these articles: https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/aircraft-systems/oxygen-systems/ https://www.risingup.com/fars/info/part23-1447-FAR.shtml PATRON Delta Charlie w

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 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 liveatc.net.  Friends of the show and maker of bags to protect your ATC headset from dust and germs: ATCSaks.com. Keep the gunk and funk away from your most valuable pilot gear: https://pilotsaks

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 Mike shares his thoughts on the ODP bonus episode. PATRON Mike Kilo illustrates the phraseology we can use as controllers to approve a VFR climb request on an IFR flight plan. Outstanding! Thank you.  See it in action on this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl9wPFAYbcQ&t=55s PATRON Juliet Hotel points out you can climb in VFR on an IFR flight plan. PATRON Echo Golf has a way to get the MVA maps into ForeFlight. Thank you! https://youtu.be/WNU4fWA8BBw If you have any questions about loading this data into ForeFlight, his email address is listed on the video.  *This is for informational purposes only and shoul

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. PATRON Bravo Hotel shared a link to some helpful, big picture MVA maps (not for navigation).   Feedback Delta Sierra asks about climbing VFR on an IFR flight plan. PATRON Juliet Papa shares audio about circling and low weather. Sierra Bravo shares two video links to highlight runway directional lights and beacons: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qxydd7k6047qm61/RW28SnowyNorth.mov?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/7byzjosibe6zu3l/RW10SnowyNorth.mov?dl=0 Foxtrot Charlie shares another reason to use the LOC for departure. PATRON Mike Echo Hotel shares her flight following story with a busy controller. Mike Zulu shares th

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 91 compliance, and personal departures off of airports with no instrument approaches or ODPs.  We also discuss the importance of preflight planning to determine aircraft performance as it relates to surrounding terrain.  The audio only version will be available in all podcast players.  PATRONS have access to a video version with a visual narrative of the discussion. If you'd like to follow along and support the show, click here.   Mentioned on the show: "Aviation News Talk" podcast hosted by our guest Max Trescott “Not Enough Departures” by Mark Kolber “Departing IFR Without Guidance” by Jeff Van West “What Are Stand

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 the C402. 2. Kilo Kilo shares a story about IFR cancelation.   Feedback PATRON Bravo Bravo sent an audio question about callsigns with aircraft type. PATRON Golf Tango sent his super amazing bucket list via audio. PATRON Charlie Mike sent an MVA question. PATRON Tango Charlie asks about UHF frequencies. PATRON Bravo Bravo has a question about flight following in a practice area.     Mentions: PATRON November Tango sent https://ablecompany502pir.org/files/FM_24-6_June_1945.pdf with page 18 being the one that shows the 5 x 5 methodology to describe radio signal strength. https://ablecompany502pir.org/files/FM_24-6_J

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 cement/beacon system used over 100 years ago. https://www.messynessychic.com/2013/11/15/the-forgotten-giant-arrows-that-guide-you-across-america/ 2. Sierra Golf sent in some more feedback about how pilots used the lights and arrows to navigate at night. 3. PATRON Juliet Hotel asks about flight plans timing out or falling out of the sytem. 4. PATRON Delta Papa is a CFII. Congratulations! 5. Juliet Mike shared his tips on remembering to close your flight plan/cancel IFR. PATRON Joe the Airbus Guy shared a story of how pilots used to manage their own release times creatively.   Feedback PATRON Echo Sierra shares his aviat