Lifting the veil of ignorance for this terrified student pilot
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“My CFI looked at me and said, OK, call up the tower…
I’m sure they said more, but my brain had already stopped processing. Stage fright. A completely blank mental script. What do I say? followed quickly be the panic attack of “What if I get it WRONG”?
It felt like an hour for my mouth to start blabbering the phrases I’d jotted down on my kneeboard, but I made it through the call:
<press transmit button>
NoAvGasHere Tower, <pause to find the placard>
Cessna N1234 at <pause to find the taxiway sign>
Alpha, Ready for departure, <pause glance at the airport diagram>
31R.
<pause... Oh, yeah! Release button!>
I had no idea what activities those words would trigger, other than that I needed to be ready to scribble down a response that would be fast, scratchy, indistinct and garbled for me, but one that everyone else would somehow understand.
Cue this podcast. After only a few episodes I now have a (warped?) mental model of what happens on the other end of that radio call, the flow of activities that I and my airplane fit into, what is normal, what is expected, and what throws a monkey wrench into the gears of smooth operation.
To all the RH’s and AG’s out there, I proactively appologize for all those 3-second pauses, that eternity delayed “… with Echo” and forgotten “at altitude”s. Knowing how my words will be consumed, and the actions and decisions that follow really helps me to collect and organize my chaotic thoughts into a concise and structured “say intentions” radio call.
In a world of content-free clickbait posts, videos and podcasts, this podcast stands out by being consistently entertaining, engaging and educational. It has aged well - the first episode (from what, 4 years ago?) is just as on-point as the current #250, each one feels like I'm meeting up with a couple of old friends talking about the things that they love.
From that unleaded Delta crammed up against the Wannabee a Big City Charlie under the Sourdough Bravo,
Thanks to your great podcast, I'm not scared of that radio thing anymore!
JP (PPL student)”Read full review »
Grouchy Train Guy via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/25/22
More reviews of Opposing Bases
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“I love this show and have learned so much!”
Jonboy0086 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/09/20
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“Big fan of these two guys from someplace that has something to do with a triangle maybe? I’m not sure. But if you are looking to expand your aviation knowledge and proficiency, the OB podcast is a must.”
FanOfPodz via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/25/20
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“As a new PPL, I can’t enumerate exactly how much I’ve learned from listening to this podcast. It’s made me a better pilot for sure.”
Marc-2525 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/14/19
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