Listening to Opposing Bases is like watching a penguin-themed TED Talk hosted on a rapidly melting iceberg of mental capacity. Picture this: my brain is an iceberg, majestic, floating confidently in a sea of semi-useful trivia and leftover high school Spanish. Each episode, AG and RH drop bite-sized waddling nuggets of ATC genius and aviation insight…penguins, if you will, right onto my personal iceberg. But here’s the problem: there’s only so much room. At first, it’s thrilling. The penguins arrive, flapping with fresh wisdom about VFR-on-top clearances, Class Bravo etiquette, and why you should never underestimate the power of “unable.” But then… the iceberg starts to feel a bit crowded. I try to make space. I push off a few old penguins: the lyrics to a 1970s Bee Gees song, my parent’s Wi-Fi password, maybe even how to do my taxes. More room! More penguins! Eventually, it’s chaos. New penguins parachute in mid-episode… some in formation, others screaming "descend via!,” while older ones leap off the edge, waving goodbye with facts I might someday desperately need. ("Wait, what was the fuel requirement for night VFR again?!") This podcast doesn’t just teach you, it transforms your iceberg. And despite the mental overpopulation and occasional cognitive penguin-pile, I keep coming back, because few things in life are this educational and entertaining. Also, there is absolutely no way this review was written or assisted by AI. Why? Because AI would’ve used a dolphin metaphor, forgotten about FAR 91.155, and completely misunderstood penguins. (KJA62)(N675KA)

Have you ever wondered why your favorite class Delta issues you a squawk for flight following while others don’t? Have you wondered why a controller won’t respond to you instantly when the frequency was silent for the last 6 seconds? Have you heard a “Penguin/Iceberg” call and response on frequency? Have you wondered why ATC rarely assigns the published missed aftet an instrument approach? The answers to these questions and much much more can be found here! This feedback driven show has a full menagerie of listeners providing feedback about all sorts of aircraft type and airspace. Each facility across the NAS is different. Learning about other airspace has helped me understand my own and it’s made me a better pilot. It will do the same for you. Whether your spinny thing is in front of you or above you, I can almost guarantee you can learn something here. These hosts have truly earned that fifth star, keep up the great work gentleman! If you choose not to listen to the show, please, get flight following.

There once were two men from the Triad (Ever notice how that rhymes with “my bad”?) No, these guys are quite good And listen you should A subscription, the best ever I’ve had You can listen in car or with stroller You can listen while camping in Scholler Their bases opposing Will not leave you dozing Like some midnight-shift local controller! Of course no controller sleeps on duty, but it’s a limerick. I had no choice.

If you’re ever away from the airport for a while and miss hearing the banter from the flying fossils talking about the glory days of the late 20th century than this is the podcast for you AG and RH are captivating museum pieces who could both fly an NDB approach with their eyes closed

When I first started flight training, the idea of talking to ATC filled me with the kind of dread reserved for public speaking in a foreign language, which basically it was. I’d rehearse my calls five times before keying the mic, only to forget my tail number halfway through. Then I found Opposing Bases. RH and AG pulled back the curtain on the magical world of air traffic control and revealed... actual human beings! Regular people doing a tough job who want to help you, occasionally joke about penguins, and sometimes fumble pronunciations. Suddenly, the radio didn’t feel so intimidating; it felt like a conversation. One that I could actually be a part of. This podcast didn’t just help me pass my checkride, it made me a safer pilot, giving me the confidence to key that mic, speak up, and even laugh at the occasional slip-up (mine and theirs). Whether you’re still pre-solo or you’ve got every rating and endorsement the FAA has to offer, this show is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the humans behind the headset.

Greetings gentlemen. I will not attempt "aviation speak" as I do not work in your field in any way, but have recently developed an interest in learning about "what makes the aviation industry tick" purely for entertainment purposes. I have only listened to about six episodes of your show, and have also just recently been enjoying tuning into live air traffic control feeds at LAX. I just listened to your three episode overview about aviation careers... I applaud your emphasis on the fact that these careers are "not for everyone". These episodes lead to my simple suggestion… People who are thinking about these careers for the first time must never forget: Whether you are an air traffic controller or a pilot... YOUR JOBS GIVE YOU THE MIND BLOWING RESPONSIBILITY OF HAVING OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES IN YOUR HANDS. My suggestion is simply to shout that message from the rooftops. I know without a doubt that I certainly could not handle that responsibility. "Human lives, often hundreds of them at a time...are in your hands every time you are on the job." Thanks for listening to my little suggestion. PS: your podcast is absolutely outstanding! You have succeeded at demonstrating your dedication, expertise, and passion for your work, while at the same time "lightening things up with humor". That mix creates a wonderful listening experience! Thanks for all of your hard work… And please… Don't forget to take care of your own health. Sometimes I can hear the fatigue in your voices. I know a lot about health problems, and as you know, without your health, you can't take care of the people…or do the things… That you love. Warmest Regards, Paul K. Vermont, USA

My hubby and I are an “old” married couple, despite being in our mid thirties. With that being said, we are at the point in our relationship where we joke with each other. Yesterday, there was terrible weather in the Roll Tide city and I was driving. I turned on my wiper blades and my hub said “what’s that?”. To which I responded “I am checking my instruments since we are in IMC”. I looked over at him with my goofy smile and he rolled his eyes. Thanks for the funny fuel!

Have you ever been worried the FAA may not find you “English Proficient”? Have no fear, these two aerospace professionals set the bar low for you! I thought I was alone thinking that words were hard until I stumbled upon this podcast. Listening to this show is better than any college public speaking class I took. My confidence, despite my poor word pronunciation, is now through the roof. Next time I have a lengthy delay with bad news to pass along to passengers, I can now confidently make a standup PA (previously I would hide in the flight deck). In all seriousness, this podcast is a must listen for aviators of all levels. So many good tips and ticks. However, I tried to use inside OB knowledge with a center controller the other day and they just yelled at me that wouldn’t help them right now. If I was a true OB master, I should have known better than to use logic with a center controller. Thanks for everything you do guys! PS- I get such a high laughing during this podcast my new rule is “8hrs OB to the throttle!”

I used to have pride. I used to have dignity. Now I’m a center controller, longing for the golden days of yesteryear when I was a simple private pilot slipping the surly bonds of earth for the first time. Alas, much like the penguins on my iceberg, I am now flightless, relegated to watching the pretty yellow dots fly across my scope. In all seriousness, this show has kept my love of aviation firmly planted and well watered, unlike our houseplants. RH and AG are supremely knowledgeable and their delivery and dynamic always keep me coming back episode after episode to learn something new and laugh along the way. I have committed the unpardonable sin and listened for 5 years without leaving a review. I also let my Patreon lapse for a considerable amount of time after I had to replace everything in my lost wallet. Don’t be me! - SC

If you've ever thought, "Wow, I wish I could listen to two air traffic controllers answer emails about things I absolutely never wondered about for an hour and a half," congratulations — your oddly specific dream has come true with Opposing Bases. RH and AG, our fearless hosts, bravely navigate the complicated world of aviation communication by spending approximately 70% of each episode explaining basic concepts, 20% making jokes that definitely aren't just for their own amusement, and 10% realizing they’ve gone completely off-topic and hastily steering back. (It’s this commitment to chaos that really sets them apart.) Need advice on how not to get yelled at by ATC? Want a definitive answer on pilot phraseology? Hoping for deep insight into complex airspace management? Well... you’ll get something close to that here, but mostly you’ll get hilarious rants about terrible pilots, sarcastic listener feedback, and passionate debates over whether the word “approved” was said in the right tone of voice. The production quality is suspiciously good for a show that sounds like it was originally recorded on a Nokia flip phone, and honestly, their southern drawls deserve a guest credit of their own. By the time you hear them read a five-page email from “Anonymous from the Tri-State Area,” you’ll either be laughing uncontrollably or desperately Googling “fastest way to learn Morse code” just to get back some control over your brain. In short: Opposing Bases is an aviation podcast for people who love aviation, hate being serious about it, and don't mind being politely roasted along the way. Five sarcastic stars. Would definitely recommend... to my worst enemy and my best friend. MikeTango from the Sonoran Hotdog Charlie.

Not only are the hosts of OB knowledgeable and funny, so are the listeners. It’s great fun to listen to RH and AG get the giggles reading some particularly funny feedback or stumbling over long words … purposely thrown in to make them stumble. Well, I’m not particularly funny or grandiloquent, so I’ll go with earnest: The Opposing Bases podcast is gold, pure gold. There’s aviation gold, comedy gold and a healthy dose of The Golden Rule running through all of it. Opposing Bases was recommended to me by my CFI-I on our first instrument lesson and it has been a huge source of knowledge and entertainment. AG and RH put this show out week after week as a service to the aviation community and to make the National Airspace System a safer place. Without trying to be funny or wise or knowledgeable, they are all of those things, but it seems to surprise them as much as anyone else. One great thing about the show is that the hosts go out of their way to treat everyone with respect, whether it’s each other, the listeners, the pilot “customers” or other controllers. Well maybe not Center Controllers, but what’s a sibling rivalry without a few jabs here and there. I think that OB should be required listening for all pilots and controllers. And maybe for everyone (question mark)? JD from under the Wannabe Super-Charlie taking over the final approach to the Taco Truck Airport

If you’re a budding aviator, or even a seasoned sky god, this is the podcast that’ll have you giggling like a Cessna with a tailwind. Host RH and AG, two pilots/controllers are the dynamic duo. RH brings the smooth, calculated robotic tone & vibe of an airline pilot who seems to have done more TransAtlantic flights in a bunk than a 767’s engine has done RPMs. Meanwhile, AG has Helo experience that’s basically the aviation equivalent of being a sky warrior. If he’s not dodging mountains, he’s firing sarcasm, and frankly, he’s pretty good at both. So, pull up your flaps, set your altimeter, and join RH and AG for the most entertaining and educational aviation podcast. You’ll come for the jargon, and stay for the laughs. - Echo Romero Gulf

From a former center and current tower controller, I’ve truly enjoyed listening. The chemistry between the two hosts is uncanny. The analysis of situations is unbiased and insightful for pilots and controllers alike. This podcast will eventually push me to go and get my PPL at some point. Thanks for all you guys do.

Some people say RH and AG are the Car Talk of aviation. But they’re more like the Odd Couple when debating who should read the next feedback. And now that everyone under the age of 40 has left in confusion and boredom … I’ll just say this show is fantastic. Fascinating deep dives into aviation and ATC topics and issues, even for someone outside the field. And it’s clear the guys are intelligent, even though they once wondered out loud what seeds were used in the Chia Pet.

Opposing Bases didn’t just improve my understanding of ATC — it saved dinner time at my house. We have four cats, three different diets, one insulin-dependent booky, and a kitchen that turns into Class Bravo chaos twice a day. Now, thanks to RH and AG: The diabetic gets priority routing to my office — cleared direct to the injection fix and isolated for low-carb intake. Two normals are cleared direct to the standard feeding route — minimal coordination required. The prescription-only diva gets a sterile feeding area in the bathroom — because she’s like a student pilot on a first solo: nervous, jumpy, and easily overwhelmed. And when the dinner bell turns into a runway incursion? That’s when I call a squeeze play — navigating overlapping taxiways like it’s JFK on a rainy Friday. No conflicts. No delays. No missed meals. Just smooth tower ops with zero meowdowns. Thanks, Opposing Bases — you’ve made me a better cat parent and a better pilot flying out of the Yellow Blue Fortress under the 5 smells charlie. Sincerely, Alpha Oscar P.S. Departing from the land of phonetic names, Hank, Lina, Millie, and Nyxie thank you as well.

Creating fond memories of watching stuttering elementary school films in the 1970’s. Neat audio experience.

This land dwelling mammal has zero aviation training; unless you count staring wistfully at airplanes and listening to Opposing Bases. Yet so great is the skill of RH and AG at imparting knowledge of the operation of flying machines and the humans that control them that I feel it is only my right, nay, it is my obligation that from today forward when I board a commercial airliner I shall stick my head in the cockpit and say “I just want you to know, I’ve got information Penguin”

As we get older, our icebergs can melt and get a bit more slippery, and it’s easy for our penguins to slide back into the ocean…tired and frustrated. But each week, through their knowledge, insight, and entertaining delivery, RH and AG provide just the right amount of traction to keep my penguins on solid footing. You guys truly are the best. Your professionalism, entertaining delivery, and the way you break down complex aviation topics into an easy-to-digest format is outstanding. You guys aren’t just number one in the charts, you’re also number one in our hearts. Keep up the amazing work! Now, if I could just figure out how get all those penguins in a row when I need them most… Foxtrot Mike Juliet (Flying Midwest Jim)

I started listening to the show as I am working on my instrument rating. I decided to leave a review after the show on the DC incident, the respectful and professional manner in which you handled a tragic incident with facts only and left your personal views out will keep me a long time listener.

AG & RH have become my absolute favorite duo in aviation media. As a commercial pilot and aspiring CFI, these two keep me spiritually grounded as I repeatedly smack my face with a FARAIM. They’ve accompanied me on multiple roadtrips too (girlfriend wonders why I laugh so hard at ‘the robot sky people’ but I press on). Thanks guys, keep it up. -Max

To me as a non-pilot, this podcast is - in addition to being funny and entertaining - an insight into how fallible humans with government bureaucracies, big manufacturers and dodgy technology combine to create an extremely safe system of transport. As a ham radio guy, this podcast also helps me make sense of the cacophony that is the airband. The only question I have is - what are those tones that New York is playing on HF for pilots over the Atlantic? :-) — DR

I wish I had discovered this podcast two years ago when I started my journey from counting pills to flying jets. Right now, I’m sitting around (and counting pills to pay the bills) waiting for my cadet airline to call with a class date. I finished my ATP mins about two months ago. It’s awesome to hear the perspective of ATC Pilots, and I wish I could have shared this podcast with my many students when I was instructing at the busy Delta under the Mahomes Bravo. Keep up the great work!

As a homemaker with a fear of big engines, aviation is not my cup of tea. I listen because AG and RH are the most compelling duo to grace the podcast medium. They demonstrate the measured restraint that only comes from years of speaking on government record. RH can read something truly absurd, and the only acknowledgement is a poignant crack in his voice. Most of the jargon and acronyms are lost on me, but it’s like in the movie Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts goes to the opera, and even though it’s in italian and she doesn’t understand italian, her eyes well up with tears because she _gets_ it. What does it mean to give an IFR clearance to an aircraft that can’t maintain VFR and VMC below the MVA? I don’t know. But when I hear AG respond with a deep inhale…then a sigh…performance transcends federal regulations and I find myself giggling as I push the vacuum around in my high heels. I must issue one warning. If you are accustomed to listening and you decide to check out an Opposing Bases video, have your smelling salts handy. These men are handsome. I assume live audiences require adherence to 91.211.

I was happily sailing my ship through life until I stumbled upon the island of aviation, where penguins roam. Ever since, it’s been a constant battle to keep the penguins sorted and thriving on this strange, fascinating island. Opposing Bases has been an incredible guide, helping me make sense of penguin talk—wait, I mean ATC lingo—and how the NAS operates. As my iceberg of aviation knowledge has grown, I’ve been able to accommodate more penguins, and this podcast has been a huge part of that journey. Thank you, Opposing Bases, for making the world of aviation approachable, entertaining, and downright penguin-friendly!

As a GA pilot based south of the Buccaneer Bravo, I stumbled across this podcast while looking for something to supplement my understanding of these goofy rules and regulations one must learn and understand to fly in the system. Thanks to RH and AG’s expert guidance, I didn’t just survive my instrument checkride—I navigated it with the precision of a Penguin Airlines captain on final. Their podcast transforms the frosty complexities of IFR into a warm and approachable journey. From decoding obscure FARs to tackling mythical airspace challenges, every episode is like finding a perfect shell on Sanibel—rare, valuable, and totally worth the time. Opposing Bases is a must-listen for pilots of all stripes. Thank you for helping this penguin stay aloft, even when the soup is thick and the iceberg is constantly tipping over.

The other day I was walking down Sixth St in the music capital of the world and we found a fun little establishment that had pianos engaging in petty to-the-death antics known as a “dueling piano bar”. I’m assuming due to a dispute regarding the innocence of the younger sister of one of the pianos. I came away thoroughly excited about the prospect of other musical paraphernalia experiencing the very human feeling of jealousy and needing to express it with fisticuffs or a pistol. Imagine my utter delight that a quick search for “instruments that disagree” came up with this podcast “Opposing Bases”. I could overlook the obvious spelling mistake in the title, attributing it to the human owners of such melodious producers being frankly a bit thick. My delight turned into confusion with their strange mention of instruments and then horror when I realized they were talking about traffic control but IN THE AIR! Could these deep, heavy tone boxes suddenly overcome gravity? A well-meaning friend explained that they were actually talking about airplanes and those who fly. Also about those who don’t like to fly them but instead tell fliers what to do. That sounds like a recipe for duels if ever I could imagine one. Everything they says seems accurate, funny and/or useful so I will continue to listen in the hope for some petty argument over the airwaves or maybe an altercation that actually comes to blows. Thanks, guys, and keep up the good work. Contacting tower! MIK

If you’ve ever even considered flying this podcast is for you. Not only will you laugh and see the joy of aviation you’ll understand what is inside the head of those who fly and those who make the demands pilots must follow. This podcast has made me a better pilot and will surely improve you as well.

Do not listen in the car Do not listen in the store Do not listen around others Fathers, sisters, mothers, brothers Your random bursts of laughter With no explanation after Will leave them looking at your strange As if your thoughts have been deranged The jokes on them ‘cause they don’t know That by listening to this show Your iceberg is growing, it’s not shrinking And can accommodate another penguin. I’m not a pilot myself, just an aviation enthusiasts and a sim pilot but love to learn about all aspects of aviation. It has made me very comfortable using ATC in the sim and I can see how it would be very helpful for any real world pilots. It’s quite obvious the two hosts care a lot about making the airspace a safer place to travel. One of the very few podcasts I listen to weekly. Deserves a lot more than 5 stars.

If you listen to Opposing Bases, you will learn how to have a controller say “thank you” to you. My old standard for a good IFR flight was not getting yelled at by the controllers of the old spring break executive in South Florida, controllers who had such poor social graces, they could not work in New York. However, my new standard is if ATC says “thank you.” in my last two flights to land at the hilly airport under the Have a Cigar, bravo, I had Approach say, once, “Best check in today, thanks,” and the next flight, “Wonderful check in. Thanks.” So my thanks to you guys for your helping us know how best to work with ATC. If we make their job easier, they help us better. JR

This podcast earns each of the five stars in this rating. For those of you reading this that might be center controllers, five is the number that comes after four. But I digress. I’ve been listening for over a year at this point, but in a recent moment of vulnerability, I introduced my non-pilot wife to the shenanigans of the two hosts, RH and AG. This may well be the worst decision I’ve ever made. She claims she loves the podcast for their kid-like banter and humor, and because it helps non-aviation nerds like her understand what on Earth pilots like me are talking about. It has helped her to understand the nuances of the NAS, but to my detriment, it has also let her add new phraseology to our marriage, like “use caution”, “say intentions”, and “unable”. For pilots who might be on the fence about taking up an aviation podcast, wait no more. I was once told that the AIM was a middle ground document for pilots that helped bridge the gap between the FARs and the 7110.65. The truth is that his podcast has filled in more gaps in my knowledge of what ATC expects from pilots and what pilots can expect from ATC than any FAA publication probably could. The wealth of aviation experience these two hosts bring to the weekly show is worth every dollar of a Patreon membership and I look forward to it each and every week. Please keep up the great work, gentlemen. -Patron CL

This podcast, filled with knowledge about the NAS is truly a gold mine. The two hosts, retired Army pilot and current controller AG; and former controller current pilot RH, are sure to fill your ears with their melodic, waterfall-like voices talking about aviation. This podcast has helped me become more comfortable talking to the voices in my head i hear when I fly, and has taught me countless lessons for when I’m flying those IFR airplanes that have the windscreen painted over. I’ve even joined their Patreon, a mere $1 an episode is much worth all of the penguins they have provided my ice berg. Patreon DD

In towers high, where AG calls the shots,
While RH soars through clouds and dodges knots.
With laughs and tales of flights that went askew,
They share their blunders—oh, the things they do! "Did you clear that plane?" asks AG with glee,
And RH: “Ask a controller, not me”
From going missed to antics in airspace,
With "Opposing Bases,” their humor’s grace. So tune in now, and join their lively spree, 
Where every episode’s a flight of glee!

Remember the cool people in high school who would come up with their own lingo and code words. Well these guys weren’t them. But they have created a very educational and fun show doing just that. It has many reasons to listen. Nostalgia- remember Beavis and Butthead? These guys do a great job imitating their muffled snickering and snarky attitudes. Hearing test- as you strain to hear what they say as they amuse themselves and talk in whispers you will find out how well you hear. I could go on forever. But, this IS the best aviation podcast and I can’t get enough

I’m an inactive pilot, and this show is helping me keep the aviation penguins on the tiny iceberg that is my brain, in the hopes that I’ll be ready when it’s time to fly again. This is the best current aviation podcast out there (the Airspeed podcast is tied for first place, but it seems to be inactive). It presents insider knowledge that some pilots (or controllers) never quite manage to get, in an informative (and often humorous) way, and will definitely make you a better user of the National Airspace System. They’ll answer questions you don’t even know you had, and you’ll pick up context that makes interactions between pilots and ATC make much more sense. Stop reading reviews and go listen to the podcast already!

This show has been really helpful in overcoming my anxiety around ATC caused by my first CFI who believed in yelling or insulting students as opposed to teaching. When a CFI is more interested in YouTube likes and hours it can create a difficult learning environment. Thanks to your show, no longer does that microphone click have me locking up or mumbling back a response. As a private pilot aiming to fly jets and now regularly flying out of a class Charlie this show has been a weekly dose of ATC confidence boost.

Whether it’s mowing the lawn, at work, or on a long drive, these penguin dealers are in my ear. And the product they produce each week is unmatched. From managing to sound like they’re in the same room to providing potentially lifesaving advice (like to not fly 1000 feet over a bravo, which I have totally not done), this show keeps me coming back every week, and listening through the nearly endless backlog of shows. The hosts and the aviation community they have built around it are unmatched. After two years of listening, they have inspired me to go back to school for ATC this fall, meaning this show is quite literally life changing. They have rightfully earned 5 stars.

Unfortunately nobody told me about these NAS holes until after my IR checkride, but they're still teaching me new tricks I use almost every time I fly. For example, to save time, I used to key the mic before switching frequencies to contact the next controller, but I now know it's preferable to wait a few seconds before going into my TED talk. The show is great and I use it in lieu of a cat. Give it a listen and enjoy! -Bravo Sierra

I send this podcast to all my aviation acquaintances, if they reply “I love that podcast”, then I know we can be friends. If they give it a less than 5 star review, well, it was nice knowing them. It is my aviation friend test, 5 stars only.

Welcome to a wonderful world of air traffic controllers telling pilots what we as pilots are doing wrong. It is a very informative show that also manages to be amusing but, not in a forced way. This is also a show that is full of monosyllabic words as the hosts do not know what a thesaurus is. They are however a very important part of a healthy aviation diet. I started listening when I was a student pilot and didn’t understand everything that they said. Now I am a CFI, CFII, and MEI and still don’t understand everything but will go and look it up. No longer being involved in flight training every day this show is a great way to keep your aeronautical knowledge and thinking up to date.

By listening to this podcast I’ve learned extremely important things that you can not learn any where else for instance: Birds live near the planet earth, the dangers of unlit towers that are 8 miles from the airport at 200ft, and how to handle a code brown emergency in a helicopter under NVGs. I continue, this show is funny and light hearted 90% of the time, but 10% of the time AG’s voice changes and you can tell a very serious subject is about to be discussed and it’s time to listen up, some of the conversations on flight into icing, the dangers of fatigue, wake turbulence, and the close calls that they’ve shared have made me a safer pilot, and the last 2 episodes on mental health are boosting a much needed converstation. -CS

This podcast is truly wonderful, I am a fairly listener and a couple episodes I had my self giggling and wondering what in the world are penguins. Then that got me thinking if AG and RH are handing these free pure breed penguins to us then that must mean us pilots are zoo’s. Then that means that y’all are pushing the lesser pure penguins off the iceburg for other clueless pilot to pick up and be brashered for it. This a truly amazing podcast with nuggets of information that you can apply and impress all of the other penguins. #penguinlivesmatter #PLM

You will often hear AG and RH compared to the guys on car talk. This isn’t true, as there can only be one grandaddy of podcasts, click and clack the tappit brothers. However, he continues…. AG and RH are a tremendous resource for any user of the NAS, from student pilots to airline captains, the information they disseminate is useful to all. My humble suggestion is to listen to about 50-100 episodes, then go back to number one and start there. So you find out about life before the TERPs elf, how SGACs are made, (or are they born?) and a host of things that AG and RH have said “yeah we talked about that on episode 143”. Or the all important reminder that “Tower has to take what approach feeds them, even if it’s hot garbage.” I can’t wait to find out when the CA segment becomes a deal.

A.G. (Which I assume stands for Army Guy) and R.H. (Really Handsome?) have been instrumental in my mid-life journey from non-aviator to commercial pilot. Their insights into the system have made me confident flying and talking to ATC in the complex DC airspace. Actual conversation when my 9 year-old got in the car while Opposing Bases was playing: “Daddy, I thought you always listen to podcasts at double speed.” “I do.” “Why aren’t you listening to this one at double speed?” “It is at double speed.” “No it isn’t. “ [plays at x1 speed] (Lots of laughing) I always look forward to the next episode and I hope you find as much value in the show as I have.

For me this is the best one of them. It’s entertaining, funny, and most importantly educational. I am a recently minted commercial pilot and I use knowledge from this podcast every week. The guys are hilarious which makes the hour and half go buy too fast.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what goes on in the mysterious realm of air traffic control or simply have a penchant for aviation banter, "Opposing Bases" is the podcast you never knew you needed. RH and AG, our gallant guides through the labyrinth of the skies, deliver an auditory feast that is both enlightening and hilariously entertaining. Imagine having a front-row seat to a comedy show where the punchlines are wrapped in aviation jargon and the occasional penguin metaphor - it's an absolute delight for both avgeeks and curious novices alike. Every episode is a masterclass in turning complex aviation topics into easily digestible and often laugh-out-loud funny content. Whether they're delving deep into the 7110 or discussing the finer points of single-pilot instrument flight, RH and AG manage to keep you hanging on their every word. Their witty repartee and seamless chemistry make you feel like you're part of an exclusive club of aviation insiders, even if your closest experience with flying is a paper airplane. Trust me, by the end of each episode, you'll be tossing around terms like "Pro Pilot Move" and "Bad Bad Bad" like a pro, in robot voices if you choose, all while chuckling at their hilarious anecdotes and spot-on impressions. But perhaps the true magic of "Opposing Bases" lies in its community-centered content. The hosts’ interactions with listeners make the show feel personal and interactive. They take listener questions and feedback to heart, creating episodes that are as informative as they are responsive to their audience's needs. So, if you’re looking to expand your iceberg with some high-flying penguin knowledge or simply need a good laugh, this podcast is your go-to. Clear skies and radar contact await! <insert wrong sound effect> #MustGoFaster Patreon Tango Whiskey

Last night, I had a dream that AG and RH came to my home airport to record the latest episode of Opposing Bases. After finishing the show, RH left for his airline job but AG wandered over to the hangar to see my new plane. AG climbed up on the wing, settled into the pilot seat, and began to violently bounce up and down like a sugared up kid riding a coin operated horse at the grocery store, because that’s how you check the structural integrity of a Chinook. After spewing hydraulic fluid all over the hangar floor and slamming the struts down to the stops, AG exited the dilapidated plane, gave a nod of approval, and walked away satisfied that it had good bones. I don’t know what the dream meant, but rest assured this podcast is as educational as my dream was confusing and as entertaining as my plane was thrashed. I now know I’ll never go to an OB fly in solely to keep AG as far away from my plane as possible. -Patron The Badger Pilot

For pilots who love the skies, gone are the days of wondering “who was that masked man (or woman) uttering ‘radar contact’ to me?” “What must the dark cave that they live in look like?” “How do they know where I am?” “Are they really as sultry as they sound?” These fine podcast hosts manage to drop knowledge, answer questions (called “timely feedback”), debunk myths, and more, all while regaling listeners with laughter, wit, and friendly banter between 2 guys who have a unique understanding of both sides of the radio. If you are a patron, you can even see their faces. (Which they claim to be a benefit.) The one word that best describes this podcast for me is: enlightening. So many penguins have vacated my iceberg for good, making way for penguins of a finer breed. Thanks RH and AG.

I’m an A&P (aka knuckle dragging grease monkey mechanic that aircraft owners absolutely despise) and also a private pilot working on an instrument rating. Having spent 20 years and counting in general aviation, I’ve had an unusual benefit of having CFI’s as coworkers. Although handy for random questions, still nothing compared to the wealth of knowledge and situations that are covered here. ATC has always been a bit of a mystery, and study material lacks real world pilot-controller interactions, hearing the host’s explanations of what’s going on their side of the mic has been tremendously helpful. Fantastic podcast! Keep up the good work!! Juliet Romeo

If you are like me and are an avid aviation enjoyer and avgeek, then this is the show for you. Not only is opposing bases a great source of iceberg-expanding knowledge and experience from fellow penguins, but the show host have a great comedy routine that they perform weekly. It almost makes me wonder what the show would look like is AG and RH decided to become the directors of their own movie, allow me to help kickstart their creative juices. The movie would obviously be a musical, and feature many dancing penguins like in the movie “Happy Feet.” This could in essence be the trequel. I’ll see the scene for them: We start in the magical land of Iceburgia, a place where the majority of ice-mass is taken up by the penguin governed Triad airport. When a penguin travels to this airport they will be greeted by RH, who bestows the gift of magical fairy dust to the penguins who wish to see the world from above. When they get to their gate they would proceed out to the runway and be handed their bags by Santa’s elves, where they would thank the Sky Gods for the gift of flight, activating their magical flying powers. To begin their flight they will initiate a psychic connection with AG whose domain is upon a 10 story pillar of ice where he stands honking at the penguins who don’t listen to him after being asked nicely. After receiving their psychic connection they are cleared for takeoff and can go on their journey. In all seriousness this show is fantastic, and appropriate for all ages. Great show guys, keep up the amazing content that I currently receive for free.

First of all, I love the show. So much so that hosts AG and RH literally inspired a career change and I’m now a controller at a Class D south of the Mile High Bravo. Without exaggeration, this show changed my life. I love getting the perspective of controllers and pilots from across the world and hearing about experiences that I might eventually be able to apply to my own work. The aviation industry is already cool, but this show makes it cooler and it is - as much as any NAVAID, control tower, or pilot - an integral part of the NAS. Conversely, my wife blames the hosts for uprooting our lives in Southern California and forcing her to trade warmth for snow for a while (she’s actually incredibly supportive of the big change, just wishes it was warmer). She’s at least looking for help with the moving costs. It only seems fair. To any potential listener, do yourself a favor and give an hour a week to these guys. It’s definitely time well spent.