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.

Listening to Opposing Bases is like being on the perfect flight: smooth cruising with just enough turbulence (aka hilarious banter) to keep things interesting. AG and RH are the flight deck dream team, delivering aviation wisdom and comedy gold like it’s their final approach to a podcast awards ceremony. These two turn the nerdy world of ATC and aviation into a laugh-out-loud masterpiece. Want to know about airspace regulations? They’ve got it covered—with analogies so ridiculous they’ll make you forget you were even confused in the first place. Want a laugh so good you’ll snort coffee through your nose? Check. And for free, you get a bonus lesson on how not to sound like a total noob on the radio. WIN. Somehow, they make the chaos of holding patterns sound like an action movie and IFR clearances seem like a high-stakes chess match. Their storytelling? Flawless. Their chemistry? Chef’s kiss. Their ability to make you care about things like wake turbulence and VORs? Legendary. Frankly, I don’t know how I survived without Opposing Bases in my life. It’s like finding the perfect checklist for both your brain and your funny bone. I’ve learned so much AND cried-laughed so hard, I’m starting to think they should hand out logbook endorsements for listening. Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or just someone who wonders why airplanes don’t have horns, this podcast will have you hooked. So buckle up, put your tray table down (because you’ll need a place for your snacks and your sides that’ll be splitting), and prepare for a comedic climb to FL420. AG and RH: cleared for podcast stardom!

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.

I’m just an avgeek, not a pilot or controller. Listening to OB has added so many penguins to the iceberg and I hope someday I can actually utilize them!

I slogged through three episodes, and while there are nuggets of solid info to be mined, one must suffer the haughty, disdainful tone of the hosts (not unlike the controllers you dread getting on the other end of the radio), the inside banter they do that reeks of SNL’s “Nick Burns, Your Company’s Computer Guy”, and their snoozy, punchless delivery style. To be fair, there IS worthwhile content to extract from this podcast — the hosts are uniquely experienced as both controllers AND professional pilots, after all — but I simply couldn’t get past their snarky, rambling presentation style to want to keep this particular podcast in my aviation-listening arsenal.

Opposing Bases, where the cool kids are nerds and there are cancellation cookies for everyone. 5 penguins. I mean- 5 stars. When I first heard about Opposing Bases, I thought that it was for all the cool-kid airline pilots and part 135 guys, not something geared toward a lowly middle-aged private pilot student. I didn’t jump in to listening to the podcast until I started working on my Instrument rating, and boy am I sorry I waited. Right from the get-go I was smiling and nodding, gaining comprehension of all kinds of IFR procedural knowledge, and excited to have found such an awesome resource full of humor and flying facts (and manual transmission facts, and bathroom remodeling facts, and things about someone named Talkative Timmy, and what getting Brashered means). This podcast has increased my understanding about Instrument flying and improved the quality of my Instrument training by giving me confidence in comminucating with ATC. Imagine my delight when I learned there were also penguins involved. (I have loved the silly flightless waterfowl since I was a kid, and may or may not have once tried to steal a penguin from Sea World when I was 12 years old, but I digress…) If you want to joyfully immerse yourself in understanding what it really means to operate in the National Aerospace System from both sides of the mic, give this podcast a listen. It’s better than watching a bunch of Italian movies with subtitles and coming away feeling like you know how to speak Italian. Because you will realize that you do understand the secret language of aviation, you’ve been speaking it all along but now you have a stronger frame of reference. It’s like Rosetta Stone, but for communicating in the NAS. You can feel confident that even if you do go out, key up, and transmit a bowl of word salad, the guys in the tower are on your team and want you to have a successful flight. You’re not alone, or an annoyance, (though possibly a puzzling amusement) they DO want to talk to you. They are just people after all, even if they are also omniscient, all-powerful sky gods. And they have cookies. Please do not tell the FAA about the penguin stealing incident, I was only 12, I put the bird back (he smelled) and I was never caught, nor any charges pressed. Sincerely, Whiskey Romeo, from the Tiny Two Trees Airpark, near the Intel Nike Delta, near the Keepin’ It Weird with a Bird on It Charlie.

Do you like planes? Do you fly planes? Have you ever listened to air traffic control? Have you ever used the services of air traffic control? Do you have hundreds of hours to burn listening to a podcast? Do you love ATC? Woah!!!! maybe I’m getting carried away with that last one 😉, but if you answered yes to any of the rest of these questions, you need to listen to Opposing Bases. You’ll fill your iceberg with flying penguins (ok, maybe I’m stretching this analogy?); you’ll be a better user of the NAS; you’ll laugh; you’ll cry (errr, well, maybe); and you’ll definitely end up going all the way back to the beginning, ignoring RH’s peas that you not, and you’ll listen to every last minute of the ABSOLUTE BEST podcast ever made. Signed, SKF. Hopefully a future patron.

I’m celebrating 350 days of aviation sobriety with the Opposing Bases podcast! Hi…. I’m Pap Abravo & I was addicted to ignorance (pausing while the group replies “Hiiiii Pap!”)… I first obtained a pilot certificate around the turn of the century (this century, not last century). Like many others, I was addicted to (and often intoxicated by) my own ignorance & didn’t know it…. After years of flying occasionally, and without much thought to my lack of knowledge, a friend (we’ll call him Romeo Mike) asked me if I’d heard of the Opposing Bases Podcast. Sighing to myself, I gave a half-hearted reply “ummm, I don’t think I have.” With a sense of denial, I thought to myself “I don’t have time for another podcast in my life, but that nagging feeling that I should follow the advice of a trusted friend & fellow aviator persisted……. So, I took a chance & listened to an episode. Immediately, something like scales fell from my eyes… My ears were opened & my awareness awakened! Colors seemed brighter & more brilliant! Sounds were crisp & clear! Fragrances filled the atmosphere!!! What was happening to me!? I began to see, hear & feel things pertaining to aviation that I had never observed!!! It was ignorance leaving my body! I was being HEALED!! My iceberg began to build at a dramatic rate, and penguins started to populate the previously nonexistent and unoccupied spaces! I owe a debt gratitude to my sponsors, Mr. Hotel & Mr. Phagolf (in meetings we refer to them as RH & AG). These two are bastions of aviation!!! A dynamic duo of the NAS, they use humor, intuition, knowledge, practical experience & something called the Sven Dee Jaun Tin (or maybe it’s 7110…?) to eradicate the toxins of ignorance, and bolster their listeners census of spheniscidaes (flightless aquatic birds)! With my new found insight, I have even been able to sponsor another fellow aviator (DZ)!!! So, whether you’re a flyer or not…, If you’re not sure whether you TOO, are afflicted by ignorance, come on in & behold a life change! And, possibly even a life-SAVING experience! Don’t be fearful! We change our identities (Pap is not my real name)…. We use our initials, so no one will know who we really are! You’ll hear about EFB’s and FMS’s… LPV’s and ILS’s…. No one will be “with you”…. We don’t use “fish finders” or the letter “K”…. And, we all have the obvious awareness that birds exist “on and in the vicinity of planet Earth”, so there’s no need to say it…. You’ll quickly be put to ease in this community. You’ll be recovering while not even knowing you were sick! This informative podcast is filled with details presented in a thoughtful & engaging way, that hijack the listener’s interest (be sure to squak 7500). Regardless of your skill or experience level, regardless of your depth of interest in aviation, these guys will capture your attention more efficiently than the localizer! You’ll find yourself reprioritizing your day to catch the latest musings. To AG & RH…. A sincere thank you for an incredible source of weekly education! Sincerely, SGAC Patron PB P.S. Want to know what an SGAC is….? You’ll have to listen.

This show is for the pilots done in a way that any die hard aviation geek can enjoy. They have somehow taken the absurd world of abbreviations and acronyms and made it even more enjoyably absurd. RH and AG are wildly amusing, brutally hilarious, and you will get the zoomies as you prepare to jump into your bug smashers, fast movers, or screensavers. If you dream of growing wings, being an airborne DJ or wowing your friends with useless information about the NAS then this is a show for you. -Patron GNR-

Did you know penguins mate for life? Neither did I! Until I started looking up fun penguin facts to write a review about an aviation podcast……. shortly followed by an in depth evaluation of my life and what lead me to this point. Hosts AG and RH’s crooning, robotic voices deliver in-depth and important aviation knowledge on a weekly basis that makes everyone safer, more knowledgeable pilots. The hosts’ humor is perfectly paced and keeps some of the less enthralling topics from being coma inducing. The information I gleaned from the podcast was invaluable to my instrument rating, made me more comfortable talking to controllers for my private, and has helped me have a much greater understanding of the NAS overall for commercial onward. Wether you are a 0 time student pilot or 20,000 hour airline pilot, you have something to gain by giving this podcast a listen. Thank you AG and RH for being assets to the aviation community. Your contributions are appreciated more than you know. Patron JP

I waited way too long before I started listening to this podcast and like many others, wish I had found out about it sooner. I know it certainly would have been a huge asset during my Instrument training in 2022, but can guarantee I will take full advantage of it while working on future certificates & ratings. Many CFI and CFII listeners have noted they will be integrating this show as required listening, and I can certainly see why. The only benefit which getting a late start has provided is having a large catalog of unplayed episodes to binge during the week while also keeping current with the weekly releases. The interactive nature of the show is one of several aspects that make it so great, and have gotten to hear many questions answered that I didn't even know I had. You will subconsciously start to pick up vocabulary not usually taught in a standard flight training curriculum, but will undoubtedly be helpful in understanding the other side of the mic. One of my favorite episodes to date has been "OB 275: Ice Cold Vectors" where the mechanics of how Vectors to Final for an ILS approach are discussed, limitations on the controller side, as well as terminology such as "Approach Gates" introduced that were not taught during flight training (nevertheless great to know for a more thorough understanding of the NAS). I'll step back and get my Round Up though before I get too into the weeds…Still working backwards from OB 246. Thanks both for all you do, and keep up the great work. Huge fan of the show. Patron JK based at TTA

Hey dad From: Zippy