A Tale of Two Missed Approaches – IFR Missed Approach & ATC

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

To be perfectly honest, a lot of accident audios starts like this. A two times missed in low IMC is how bad stories sometimes start.

SPEAKER_2 (0:11)

Ready.

SPEAKER_3 (0:21)

Welcome to Opposing Bases Air Traffic Talk, an aviation podcast by two air traffic controllers and rated pilots who love to talk about flying, controlling, and everything in between. The show is for entertainment purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for your instructor, your supervisor, the FAA, the NTSB, or your cat. The show will give you a better understanding of how things work in the National Airspace System and maybe even make you laugh along the way.

Please welcome Retired Army Pilot Alpha Golf and First Officer at Penguin Airlines, Romeo Hotel.

SPEAKER_2 (1:12)

It's Monday, September 14th, 2026, episode 455 On today's show, we'll talk about an IMC double-missed approach, learn how to speak French, and hear from the legendary Terpself. What's up, AJ?

SPEAKER_1 (1:23)

Hello, hello, everyone.

SPEAKER_2 (1:25)

Happy Monday.

SPEAKER_1 (1:28)

Is it?

SPEAKER_2 (1:29)

Is it? It's day eight. It's day eight of 12 for you.

You're two-thirds of the way through after today.

SPEAKER_1 (1:36)

I'm glad someone's counting because I have no idea what day it is anymore.

SPEAKER_2 (1:42)

What language did you take in high school?

SPEAKER_1 (1:45)

Espanol.

SPEAKER_2 (1:47)

All right. So you were basically fluent for a couple of semesters or quarters, and now you forgot everything?

SPEAKER_1 (1:52)

Yeah, I forgot everything.

SPEAKER_2 (1:54)

I didn't take any French.

But we're going to learn some today. Oh, good. How's your week been?

SPEAKER_1 (2:00)

Lovely.

SPEAKER_4 (2:00)

It's amazing.

SPEAKER_1 (2:02)

Really great. So productive.

SPEAKER_2 (2:07)

What do you mean? You can't get all the things you want to get done after you've slept?

SPEAKER_1 (2:12)

No, I mean at work.

SPEAKER_2 (2:14)

Oh, productive, busy.

SPEAKER_1 (2:16)

Yeah, I'm being extra productive. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, twice even. Two, I'm so productive. I worked two shifts on my weekend.

SPEAKER_2 (2:30)

Two overtime efficient trips.

SPEAKER_1 (2:32)

Yeah.

SPEAKER_2 (2:32)

Efficient shifts. I'm sorry, I said trips.

SPEAKER_1 (2:38)

Yes, I'm tired. I'm a little bit grumpy.

It's getting to me. I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_2 (2:45)

We're going to work on that today.

SPEAKER_1 (2:46)

Okay.

SPEAKER_2 (2:47)

Put all that aside, we're going to record a show and have fun.

And you can make fun of me all you want. Okay. And my haircut. My barber's been missing for the last two visits, so his sister does my, has been doing my hair.

SPEAKER_1 (2:59)

Yeah, I could tell. I'm kidding.

SPEAKER_2 (3:07)

They were both there when I came in this weekend. I said, hey, it's been a while since you did it. Look what your sister's been doing. And I was saying it was good. I liked it.

He went back to how he was doing it. I've lost all my hair again. Okay, I guess we're starting over.

SPEAKER_1 (3:24)

Thanks. Well, just be glad that your still grows.

SPEAKER_2 (3:30)

I'm not complaining. It'll all come back. It'll be where I want it to be again. It's no big deal. Anyway, I had the weekend off. I'm flying again tomorrow, commuting to a different place up in New York. My trip starts and ends at the other airport in New York.

This is fun. This will be a first for me. Much easier to get home. When I come back, I have four choices from that place to go direct. It's amazing.

Four. Well, two on opposite companies. Yes, two each. Shall we begin?

SPEAKER_1 (4:11)

All right.

SPEAKER_2 (4:13)

Since Ob454, we have some new members on the iceberg in the Penguin Club. Tango Sierra, Sierra Juliet, Echo Lima times two, Whiskey Whiskey, Romeo Charlie, Alpha Romeo, Lima Papa, Juliet Tango, Kilo Golf, Golf Charlie and Mike Foxtrot and a PayPal drop from Golf Mike. Did I make it? You made it.

Your turn. This is new.

SPEAKER_1 (4:33)

You made it with a couple to spare.

All right, this show, if you're new here, is called Opposing Bases. It is fueled entirely by our supporters. Every week, the question stories, feedbacks, corrections, the weird aviation situations, you send us, become the show. That's the format. You send it, supporters send it. We talk about it from our perspectives, which are unique. Not exclusive. There are other people with similar perspectives, but ours are very unique.

And that's not a brag. It's just what it is. It is the two lives that we have lived that have led us to this place that give us the perspective that we have. And I think people appreciate it. If you want to support the show, Supercast is where to do it. You'll get early episodes, the full back catalog, private live streams, bonus audio, supporter only, email access that makes this show happen. So if you want to support it, head to opposingbases.supercast.com and join the crew.