Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk

By: Air Traffic Talk
  • Summary

  • RH and AG are two experienced air traffic controllers and pilots that host a weekly show answering listener questions, breaking down complex aviation topics, and relating their experiences to everyday occurrences in the national airspace system. The hosts and guests do not represent the FAA or NATCA and express their own views and opinions.
    2018-2023 ©
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Episodes
  • OB370: We Discuss the Tragedy at DCA
    Feb 4 2025

    Episode 370 Show Notes

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the families that lost loved ones in the tragedy over the Potomac. There are no words to describe the pain you’re suffering and while a thorough investigation may answer your questions, it won’t bring your loved ones back. We are so sorry for your loss and want you to know the aviation community is right beside you in your time of need.

    This accident will define the next generation responsible for maintaining the safest airspace in the world. Your lost loved ones will serve as vivid reminders that life is precious, our time on earth is often unfairly limited, and we must always strive to be better stewards of the aviation transportation system.

    On today’s show, we will share our experience and hopefully give listeners the context they need to understand the accident and shape their safety practices moving forward.

    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. Music bumpers by audionautix.com. Third party audio provided by liveatc.net.

    Legal Notice The views and opinions expressed on Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk are for entertainment purposes only and do not represent the views, opinions, or official positions of the FAA, Penguin Airlines, or the United States Army. Episodes shall not be recorded or transcribed without express written consent. For official guidance on laws, rules, and regulations, consult an aviation attorney or certified flight instructor.

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    1 hr and 43 mins
  • OB369: Flying Through Final
    Jan 28 2025

    Episode 369 Show Notes

    Topic of the show: Flying Through Final On this week’s episode, RH and AG discuss the complexities of parallel visual approaches from both the pilot and controller perspectives. What separation requirements exist? What tools are available for the pilot and the controller when things don’t go as planned? We also discuss patience on frequency, super top secret airspace rules, and more of your aviation questions and feedback. This was a fun episode and you don’t want to miss it!

    Links: The event discussed on today’s show: https://youtu.be/vDLdCq_kAzc

    A very detailed breakdown by Blancolirio on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqpKjwX9Ku4

    Timely Feedback:

    1. Patron KS clarifies previous feedback and shows us Simon says t shirts

    Feedback

    1. Patron RL shares a situational awareness story

    2. Patron JBD asks about supervisor preferences for the operation

    3. Patron DF sent audio

    4. Patron DZ sent quick audio about check in patience

    5. Patron PV sent audio about controllers explaining on frequency

    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. Music bumpers by audionautix.com. Third party audio provided by liveatc.net.

    Legal Notice The views and opinions expressed on Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk are for entertainment purposes only and do not represent the views, opinions, or official positions of the FAA, Penguin Airlines, or the United States Army. Episodes shall not be recorded or transcribed without express written consent. For official guidance on laws, rules, and regulations, consult an aviation attorney or certified flight instructor.

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    1 hr and 33 mins
  • OB368: Flying Through Fire
    Jan 21 2025

    Episode 368 Show Notes

    Topic of the show: Flying Through Fires, By SGAC Patron CB. RH and AG read feedback from CB about being a firefighting pilot. What type of training is involved? How do you get qualified to fly in this type of operation? How does this compare to military flying? We also discuss situational awareness near Class Bravo airspace, facility tours, and more of your awesome aviation feedback. This week’s episode is packed with nuggets of aviation gold. You don’t want to miss it!

    Links:

    You Don’t Have to Put on the Red Light http://cfi.tips/red, I fly with this headlamp: https://a.co/d/9nWPMnD

    Timely Feedback:

    1. Patrons SH sent follow up about his home Sim setup and copilot

    2. Patron RD sent headlamp feedback, see links

    3. Patron SB sent Night VFR flying feedback

    Feedback

    1. SGAC AM sent a question about satellite airport wildlife NOTAMs

    2. SGAC JK sent highlights from a recent facility tour

    3. Patron 1dullgeek sent a question about bickering on frequency

    4. Patron SM sent a quick note on episode 355, ATC Emergency Mode Engaged

    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. Music bumpers by audionautix.com. Third party audio provided by liveatc.net.

    Legal Notice The views and opinions expressed on Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk are for entertainment purposes only and do not represent the views, opinions, or official positions of the FAA, Penguin Airlines, or the United States Army. Episodes shall not be recorded or transcribed without express written consent. For official guidance on laws, rules, and regulations, consult an aviation attorney or certified flight instructor.

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    1 hr and 35 mins

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Best thing on Audible!

You want fantasy? Forget Tolkien; hear from the TERPS Elf. Legal thriller? Forget Grisham; tune in for Brasher warnings. Flying? Forget Langewiesche; hear about RH’s experience with the regionals. Military? Forget Sun Tzu; hear about AG’s training flights in army helicopters. Symbols? Forget Dan Brown; hear about the mythical Triad, the Frozen North, and the Coffee Delta. Keeping clean from dust and dirt? Forget Good Housekeeping; hear about pilotsaks. Classism? Forget Harper Lee; hear about the plight of the Center controllers. Yes, Opposing Bases truly has something for everyone!

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Landing will be at your own risk

Once you check in with AG and RH and get your code for flight following, you may spend the rest of your time in the TRIAD airspace continually requesting delay vectors (or may an indefinate hold at girlfriend) so you can listen in to the wisdom and humor of the two best controllers on the planet. They peel back the layers of air traffic control and give pilots essential information that will help them to navigate the NAS and be better plane drivers and confident radio talkers. After digesting more than 200 episodes of Opposing Bases you will possibly never have another "piglet moment" when you fear that the next thing you hear is the Brasher Warning. So wipe the PTAC drool off of your face and standby to be entertained and informed.

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Thanks for teaching me the truth about air traffic

I used to think that air traffic controllers and airline pilots were almost like robots, always speaking in a cryptographic language and never flubbing anything.
Unfortunately I stumbled across this podcast and quickly my dreams were shattered as I realized AG and RH make as many or possibly even more mistakes than I do and I'm not even a pilot!
AG and RH also have the unique ability to explain complicated questions so non pilots can understand them even better than they do.

All kidding aside AG and RH have a wealth of knowledge that they freely hand over to all the listeners and all the effort they put into the show is the reason they are #1.

At this point in life I only fly RC aircraft however I have dreams of flying full scale and Opposing Bases is on the top of the list every week to increase my aviation knowledge.

Thanks from patreon
Sierra Mike Hotel

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