Behind the Prop

Check rides are the source of so much anxiety and stress for so many pilots, but with proper preparation they really don't have to be.  Bobby and Wally work to demystify the big day a bit by running through some things you can do to come prepared and ready to succeed!

Find out more about Tammie Jo Schults, her speaking engagements, and her books here -- The Official Website of Captain Tammie Jo Shults

As pilots, we see other pilots all the time.  But what about those mysterious voices on the other end of the radio... the air traffic controllers.  Sometimes they may seem like robots spitting out clearances at a million miles an hour.  Maybe they'll be the voice guiding you to safety if you encounter bad weather or an engine failure in flight.  Possibly you've even been lectured by one for failing to comply with an instruction.  But believe it or not there are real people behind those voices on the radio, and we've got three of them in studio with us today on the show!  Thanks to professional air traffic controllers Clay, Nick, and Gio for joining us on this week's episode of Behind The Prop!

As pilots, we see other pilots all the time.  But what about those mysterious voices on the other end of the radio... the air traffic controllers.  Sometimes they may seem like robots spitting out clearances at a million miles an hour.  Maybe they'll be the voice guiding you to safety if you encounter bad weather or an engine failure in flight.  Possibly you've even been lectured by one for failing to comply with an instruction.  But believe it or not there are real people behind those voices on the radio, and we've got three of them in studio with us today on the show!  Thanks to professional air traffic controllers Clay, Nick, and Gio for joining us on this week's episode of Behind The Prop!

Check out more about Charlie Venema at CheckedAndSet.net!  CheckedAndSet is ready to provide you with access to professional insight and advice on how to best represent yourself, your accomplishments, and your ambitions in this very competitive aviation marketplace.  Our thanks to Charlie for stopping by to share some of his years of knowledge and experience with the Behind The Prop audience!

Preflight actions are often overlooked, but they really are so important.  We plan so much for our training cross country flights, but when we get our certificate, how many of us are really sitting down and planning each flight in depth?  On this week's episode of Behind The Prop, Bobby and Wally give us some great practical real world tips for preparing for your cross country flights.

Bobby@BehindTheProp.com

Emergencies come in so many shapes and sizes that it's impossible to prepare for them all.  From sick passengers to engine difficulties.  From flight control issues to smoke in the cockpit.  There's a million different situations that could pop up that require your immediate attention.  But with a ton of practice, a cool head, and the proper checklist in hand... hopefully you'll have what it takes when it's all on the line.  This week the guys give us some best practices so when you're facing the ultimate test one day, you have everything you need to get your airplane on the ground safely!

So many pilots have let their currency lapse, and are really intimidated about what is takes to get current (and proficient) again.  Many pilots who have been on the ground for a long time may find themselves faced with new technology that was not even around when they got their certificate (GPS, ADSB... etc).  This podcast is a great place to start if you're looking to get back in the air.  Please feel free to SHARE this episode with a fellow pilot who you know wants to get current again!

So many pilots have let their currency lapse, and are really intimidated about what is takes to get current (and proficient) again.  Many pilots who have been on the ground for a long time may find themselves faced with new technology that was not even around when they got their certificate (GPS, ADSB... etc).  This podcast is a great place to start if you're looking to get back in the air.  Please feel free to SHARE this episode with a fellow pilot who you know wants to get current again!

Whether you're a 45 hour newly minted private pilot, or a 5,000 hour veteran, the weather can humble any of us at any moment!  Good pilots never stop learning.  This week Bobby and Wally share some of what they've learned about the weather in their years of flying, and they give us some tips on what we can do to stay safe when we're in the air and the weather goes south on us!

Our guest Brian Hough (School of Aeronautics/Liberty University) is not only an academic, but he's also an accomplished pilot.  Brian is an ATP rated pilot, as well as a certified flight instructor and a designated pilot examiner.  If you're considering going for a college degree in the field of aviation, don't miss this week's episode of Behind The Prop!

Got a random topic idea for our next episode??  Shoot us a message on the Behind The Prop Facebook page and we'll give you a shout out on the show if we use your topic!

If you're going to be ready for a checkride soon, check out our amazing local DPE's here:

Wally Mulhearn - WallyMulhearnDPE.com

Wanda Collins - WandaCollinsDPE.com

Pat Brown - HoustonDPE.com

When it comes to aircraft engines, we really all just have one goal.  Keep the fan turning!!  As pilots we're taught volumes about how to FLY the airplane... but how often do we pause to think about what's really going on with our ENGINE.  Whether you're a seasoned aircraft owner, or a newly minted private pilot, this week's episode of Behind the Prop provides a plethora of knowledge about your aircraft's engine.

As a pilot you've probably flown hundreds, even thousands of hours in the air without an issue.  But when something goes wrong and the chips are down, will you be able to get your airplane on the ground safely?  We have so many resources at our disposal today, from our avionics to ATC... to even our cell phones.  This week we've got some good tips for you to be prepared so you're good and ready the next time things don't go quite as you planned!

You've probably talked to  guys & gals who fly props, jets, seaplanes, helicopters...  but have you ever heard from a blimp pilot!?  This week's very special and distinguished guest gives us an incredibly unique perspective on aviation.  Get ready for some flying stories like none you've heard before!

As student pilots we learn so much in training, but it all changes when we get our private pilot certificate.  Sure everything looks the same and the airplane handles exactly as it did when we were students.  But now it's on us to make the decisions.  We are the pilot in command now.  It's an awesome responsibility and we should never take it lightly.  This week on Behind The Prop-- decision making!

"The Killing Zone" is an absolute must-read for all new pilots.  Grab the book right here --> The Killing Zone, Second Edition: How & Why Pilots Die: Craig, Paul: 9780071798402: Amazon.com: Books

Send us your questions at Facebook.com/BehindTheProp -- We'd love to discuss  your topic on the next listener questions episode of Behind The Prop!

What's the first thing you look at when you see a new aircraft?  Definitely the paint.  Maybe the panel.  But buried under the cowling lies the airplane's most important system...  the engine!  This week Bobby & Wally delve into the basic components of the engine, as well as some basic things you can do to care for yours and keep it running smoothly.

If you haven't gotten the picture by now... fuel is pretty darn important!  Our mechanic guest Ray told us a few weeks ago if he could only check ONE system before takeoff, it would be the fuel.  Wally said the three most important things to check before every flight are: fuel, fuel, and fuel!  So we talking fuel again this week.  Then we transition into some details on aircraft renters insurance.  What is it and who needs it!?  All that and more on this week's extra informative double episode of Behind the Prop!

Wally has owned several airplanes over the years... and he currently owns two.  Bobby operate a flight school and currently owns 12 aircraft!  So when it comes to airplane ownership, you'll be hard pressed to find two more knowledgeable guys in the Houston area.  Is owning an aircraft a good idea for you, or would renting be a better option?  Listen to this week's episode of Behind The Prop to find out!

You can't fly every day to stay current and proficient.  But you can listen to your favorite aviation podcast and keep aviation on the brain!  This week we're talking about fuel and your airplane's fuel system.

It's one of the first things a student pilot will notice that very first time they take the controls and push the throttle forward on the runway.  For some reason the airplane wants to turn to the left.  Why is this happening and why is it important that we understand what's going on?  Dive into this week's mid-week bonus episode to find out!

Got a checkride coming up??  Kick back, relax, pop an ear bud in and listen to this week's episode of Behind the Prop.  The guys take you through the major things you need to be doing to prepare for your 'ride... and exactly what publications you need to be digging into to make sure your big day goes as smooth as possible.

Certified flight instructors are great pilots.  But they are not perfect people!  Like you, they are just human beings.  Make the most of your flight lessons (and your money!) by using these invaluable tips to hold your instructor accountable.

Set the technology aside this week.  Leave the iPads behind and power down the GPS... because we are focusing on good old stick and rudder skills in this week's episode.  Let's talk about the best part of aviation... hand flying the airplane!

How better to learn than by studying other people's mistakes?  Bobby and Wally lay out some common student pilot mistakes, how and why they happen, and most importantly how you can avoid them yourself!

There are many misconceptions about the differences between Part 61 & Part 141 flight schools.  Is one better?  Does one save you money over the other?  Who better to ask than a flight school owner and a DPE!  Bobby and Wally lay it all out and answer some great questions!

What do most pilots do wrong?  How often should you change the oil?  If you could only check ONE system during a preflight, what would you check?  Our fascinating guest, mechanic/pilot Ray Villalba of E&E Aviation answers all these questions and more on this week's episode of Behind The Prop!

Whether you're a student entering that exciting next phase of training, a new private pilot looking to head out and explore, or a seasoned pilot who has done it for years... the guys share some great tips that will help you become a better pilot on those long cross country trips!

You're cruising along enjoying your flight... when all of the sudden you notice the low voltage light on the panel is flashing.  You glance over to the amps gauge and sure enough, it's showing a discharge.  What do you do?  How much time do you have?  Is it even an emergency??  All that and more on this week's episode of Behind The Prop!

Wally has been a DPE for years, and it's safe to say he's seen almost everything!  This episode includes some great pointers for checkride preparation, as well as some things NOT to do.  If you come prepared you will reduce your stress and anxiety on the day of the checkride... and you will also increase your chance of success!

Learning radio communications is an essential part of learning to fly... but it can be really scary at first!  You're sharing the frequency with many experienced pilots and controllers, and here you are a brand new pilot.  How are you supposed to keep up??  Bobby and Wally bust out the A.I.M. and give us a great list of things to do... and things NOT to do on the radio while flying!

Women make up 50% of the population... but only account for about 6% of pilots in the United States.  Jessica is on a mission to raise that number!  To learn more about the Houston Chapter of Women in Aviation, visit WAIHouston.org.

Night time can be confusing for pilots, but hopefully we help each pilot with some regulations and a few tips.  This week Bobby and Wally break down what constitutes night time, when you can log night time in your logbook and when you can log your night landings.  They also give a number of tips to be safe while flying at night.  

Primary and Secondary Flight Controls.  Hopefully, you use all of them on every flight.  Hopefully, you check them before every flight.  Today, Bobby and Wally go into detail on what you should be checking, how they should be working, and a few best practices.  Let us know what you think and please share the show with a friend.  Thanks!

There is nothing like the first time and this week we both reflect on and celebrate the FIRST SOLO.  Probably a day that aviators remember more than most, join us as we reflect on Wally's first solo exactly 39 years later today - December 7, 1981.  Bobby's first solo came in July 2015 and we both reminisce on those days.  We also interview a student who just solo'ed and get to relive that moment all over again,  Finally, we share a number of tips and tricks to make your solo go great!  Check out Bobby's first solo video below!  Enjoy!

Bobby's First Solo Video

Happy Holidays!!  This week Behind the Prop shares their top 10 or so gift ideas for the pilot in your life (whether that is you or someone you shared this podcast with).   We cover a lot of products and gift ideas this week to help you decide on big gifts, little gifts, and maybe a few things to avoid this year as well.  Hopefully, everyone has a wonderful holiday season and we also hope you were not on the naughty list.  Oh yeah, maybe you will get an ADS-B in receiver this year so you can avoid Santa too!  

We have been asked a number of times to put together a show on how to best tackle the economics of flight training.  There are MANY opinions here and hopefully, we share a number of ideas that will help everyone get the proper amount of training while also saving some money!  In a part of this show, we tackle the question about whether you should "knock out your written" before you start training.  Too often we both hear from people that have been told to knock it out, listen in, and hear what we think about that piece of advice.  

Devin Miller has been flying for the past three years and has come a long way.  He literally walked in one Sunday afternoon and wanted to fly.  We took him up and he has been a great friend, partner, and aviator ever since.  Devin and Bobby have literally flown thousands of miles together and share a passion for aviation.  On the show today Devin, Bobby, and Wally challenge listeners on their aviation proficiency.  As the holidays approach, we discuss the woes of flying without proficiency and talk about how we all stay proficient.  Wally calls out a great book that I have read since we recorded the show, please check it out: The Killing Zone, by Paul Craig.  

This week Bobby and Wally discuss a system for the first time and believe it will be the first of many.  Each time we fly we do a magneto check and as Wally says, he hopes we change the name to an ignition check.  There are a lot more things we are checking besides the magneto and hopefully you learn a few things this week.  Let us know what you think and please share the show with a friend.  Thanks!

In the mid-80s it was a decision my parents and the wrestle with, paper vs plastic as they checked out at the grocery store.  Now as pilots many of us have quickly moved from the paper choice to an electronic one.  Bobby and Wally discuss what is legal and some best practice as you too may wrestle with the decision between paper vs. plastic.  No matter what you choose to use, make sure you understand them and know exactly how to use them.  Until next week, fly safe and stay behind the prop!

Pat Brown has a long history in aviation and not only serves the "Texas Triangle" as the AOPA You Can Fly Ambassador, and he is also a Designated Pilot Examiner.  Pat and Wally have a long past and didn't even know they were both pilots when they first started working together.  We cover that and many more topics on this week's show including their general aviation pet peeves!   Fly safe and stay behind the prop!

This week Bobby tells his near-miss story.  While these are more common than they should be some are closer than others!   We won't give it away here, but Bobby comes VERY CLOSE to the big one and shares what he thinks saved him and his passenger from the "BIG ONE".  This near-miss story could happen to each of us and both Bobby and Wally hope the show helps everyone be a little safe.  Fly safe everyone!

Checklist usage sounds simple.  #1 - Use one.  #2 - Follow it.  It continues to be one thing that pilots don't do frequently enough and causes problems, both big and small.  Wally shares some things that he sees on check rides (even applicants reading them upside down), and Bobby shares a lot of what he sees around the flight school.  Please share this episode with other pilots and fly safe!

Bobby started his training to become a pilot in May of 2015.  He really only thought he would get his private pilot's license and fly for fun.  Like most pilots though, he quickly realized to be a better pilot, and to fly further he would need his instrument rating.  On August 24, 2017, Bobby showed up at his flight school - United Flight Systems - www.unitedflight.com to meet his DPE, Wally Mulhearn.  Today's show is a reflection of that day, and just a few tips and tricks to make your instrument check ride go smoothly. 

This week you meet our hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn.  Both are based in Houston and often spend time behind the prop.  Wally is a pilot for a major airline and designated pilot examiner (DPE) with over 400 check rides administered.  Bobby owns a large flight school in Houston that trains Part 61, Part 141, and is an affiliate with Liberty University.  Both share their passion for giving back and why they are investing in this Podcast.  Subscribe wherever you listen to Podcasts!