Afleveringen
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In this episode of Behind the Prop, hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn dive deep into the essential soft skills that set exceptional flight instructors apart from the rest. They explore why teaching ability often outweighs raw flying proficiency when it comes to developing great CFIs, emphasizing the need to hire teachers rather than just pilots. The discussion highlights how emotional intelligence plays a critical role in the cockpit, helping instructors connect with students of all ages and backgrounds while adapting to individual learning styles.
Bobby and Wally share insights on managing student progress, fostering accountability, and maintaining clear communication under pressure. They stress the value of effective debriefs and how these moments build trust and accelerate learning. Real stories from their experiences illustrate the shift from demonstrating skills to creating environments where students can learn through guided practice and even mistakes.
The conversation also covers professionalism and leadership, reminding instructors that they serve as role models who shape the next generation of pilots. Listeners will walk away with practical strategies to improve their teaching approach, from using lesson plans and objectives to balancing knowledge with empathy. Whether you're a new CFI or a seasoned instructor, this episode offers valuable takeaways for elevating flight training.
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Bobby and Wally kick off this episode by posing a tough question to all pilots: could you handle an emergency tonight? They stress that you don't rise to the occasion but fall to the level of your training, sharing examples of how complacency creeps in during checkrides and real flights. The hosts dive into memory items every pilot should know cold, like engine fire during start procedures, glide speeds, and oil pressure emergencies, while advocating for scenario-based training and chair flying to build reflexive habits.
They explore real-world case studies, including a pilot in Australia who executed a calm gear-up landing after hours of troubleshooting and fuel burn-off. Wally recounts a medical emergency on a 737 where staying calm and breathing first made all the difference. The conversation turns to proactive strategies for night flying, such as following freeways, flying higher for more options, and using tools like ForeFlight's emergency glide mode to improve odds during engine failures or electrical issues.
In the lightning round, they challenge listeners with scenarios like engine roughness at night over a city, comms failure into Class C airspace, and night VFR with lowering ceilings. The takeaway is clear: build habits through deliberate practice with instructors or solo, know your airplane's POH inside out, and prepare your brain for the day you hope never comes so you can fly safely and confidently anytime.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Episode Overview
This episode of Behind the Prop, hosted by Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn, dives into the hidden costs associated with rushing through flight training. Bobby shares a real-life story from United Flight Systems about a student who paused training due to lack of preparation and motivation, only to return years later with a renewed drive. The hosts explore why accelerated training programs can backfire, how students can better prepare before starting, and the importance of setting realistic expectations for the journey to becoming a pilot.
Key Discussion Topics
The Cost of Unpreparedness: Bobby recounts a conversation with a mother and son at the flight school, where the student had previously quit due to immaturity and lack of study habits. He explains how unprepared students waste money on lessons they can't fully utilize, turning what should be productive flights into expensive review sessions.
Accelerated Programs and Marketing Hype: The hosts critique the misleading marketing of fast-track pilot programs, noting that while the FAA minimum for a private pilot is 40 hours, the national average is around 60-80 hours. They discuss how promises of quick certifications often lead to burnout, failed check rides, and additional costs.
Maturity and Motivation: Bobby emphasizes that a student's readiness isn't just about age but about having the discipline and motivation to study outside of lessons. He shares how a student who returned after a break was far more successful because of personal growth and a genuine passion for flying.
Practical Tips for Efficiency: Wally and Bobby discuss strategies like chair flying, consistent scheduling, and self-study to make training more cost-effective. They stress that flying two to three times a week with proper preparation is far more efficient than cramming lessons without study.
Avoiding External Pressure: The hosts warn against letting friends, family, or online advice push students into rushing their training. They argue that each student's journey is unique, and comparing progress to others can lead to poor decisions and unnecessary expenses.
Notable Quotes
"He took a couple years off, grew up, and came back as a different person. And his training was much more efficient because of it." - Bobby Doss
"Don't try to be the minimum. The minimum is not the standard you want to aim for." - Bobby Doss
"Chair flying costs you nothing and can save you thousands in the long run." - Wally Mulhearn
Takeaways
Rushing flight training often leads to higher costs from repeated lessons, failed check rides, and burnout. Students should focus on preparation, including studying ground material and chair flying, to maximize the value of each lesson. Accelerated programs may work for some, but most students benefit from a steady, consistent pace that fits their lifestyle. Finding the right flight school and instructor who support your individual learning pace is crucial to a successful and enjoyable training experience.
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Show Notes for Episode: When FINE Isn't FINE
Introduction to Weather Discussion: Bobby and Wally kick off the episode by sharing their experiences with poor weather in Houston, Texas, highlighting how a seemingly "fine" day can quickly turn dangerous. They discuss the impact of weather on flight training and general aviation operations.
Personal Stories of Weather Mishaps: Bobby recounts a flight where he underestimated clouds during a trip to Brenham, Texas, leading to a necessary turnaround. Wally shares his encounter with rime icing in the Saratoga and how it affected his flight decisions, stressing the importance of early recognition of risks.
Historical Aviation Accidents: The hosts review key incidents, including Delta Flight 191 (microburst crash), Southern Airways Flight 242 (hail encounter), and Braniff Flight 352 (thunderstorm entry). These examples illustrate how poor weather planning can lead to tragic outcomes and underscore the evolution of weather information availability since the 1980s.
Weather Tools and Resources: They recommend the Windy app for visualizing wind patterns and forecasts, originally designed for sailors. Other concepts covered include monitoring pressure changes, temperature-dew point spreads for predicting fog or clouds, and using ADS-B data for real-time weather updates.
Subtle Signs and Decision-Making: Bobby and Wally discuss overlooked indicators like altimeter settings (low pressure signals bad weather), wind gradients, and temperature inversions. They advise pilots to check weather from broader areas and avoid locking into a single source like a METAR.
Personal Minimums for Safer Flying: The episode emphasizes establishing and adhering to personal limits, such as wind speeds, icing altitudes, and fuel reserves. Wally suggests limits for new pilots, including wind restrictions, ceiling/visibility minimums, and landing with ample fuel.
Advice for New Pilots: For those who just passed their private pilot checkride, the hosts recommend focusing on wind, ceilings/visibility, and fuel as core personal minimums. They encourage using tools like the FAA's lapse rate for cloud base calculations and always prioritizing safety over ego.
Key Resources and Concepts Mentioned:
Windy App: A free app for wind and weather visualization FAA Weather Resources: Including METARs, ATIS, and understanding lapse rates Personal Minimums: Custom rules for safer flying General Advice: Monitor pressure drops, temperature-dew point spreads, and always have a turn-back plan -
In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn tackle one of the most importantâand often overlookedâaspects of flight training: how pilots respond to setbacks. From checkride disapprovals to frustrating training plateaus, they break down how resilience, self-awareness, and honest self-talk can turn mistakes into meaningful progress.
The conversation explores the reality that mistakes are inevitable in aviation, but how pilots respond to them defines their growth and safety. Bobby and Wally share real-world storiesâfrom rough landings to cockpit errorsâand emphasize the importance of learning quickly, letting go of past mistakes, and stacking small wins to rebuild confidence.
In Part 2, they dive into the hazardous attitudes FAAâincluding macho, impulsivity, and invulnerabilityâand explain how these mindsets show up in everyday training and real-world flying. Their practical examples make it clear how dangerous these attitudes can be if left unchecked.
The episode wraps with a series of powerful mental math techniques pilots can use in the cockpit, including quick calculations for fuel burn, true airspeed, density altitude, and crosswind components.
This episode is packed with actionable insights to help pilots think sharper, fly safer, and build confidence through every phase of training.
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NFL wide receiver Brandin Cooks isnât just known for his speed on the fieldâheâs also building a reputation in the cockpit.
In this episode of Behind the Prop, Brandin joins us to share his aviation journey, from earning his private pilot certificate to advancing through instrument training and flying his own Cirrus SR22. What started as a curiosity quickly turned into a serious commitment to learning and mastering the craft of flying.
We explore the parallels between football and aviation, including how Brandin approaches high-pressure situations, learns complex systems, and maintains discipline across two demanding environments. He also shares why he considers himself a cautious pilot, how he sets personal minimums, and what heâs learned about risk management through aviation.
Beyond performance, Brandin opens up about how flying has impacted his personal lifeâgiving him a new way to connect with his family and experience freedom outside of the NFL schedule. He also discusses his passion for increasing access to aviation and why representation matters in the industry.
Whether youâre a pilot, athlete, or someone chasing excellence in any field, this conversation delivers valuable insight into what it truly takes to perform at a high level.
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In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss, Wally Mulhearn, and guest Jay Robinson tackle one of the most stressful moments in a pilotâs journeyâreceiving an FAA checkride disapprovalâand, more importantly, how to recover from it. The conversation starts by normalizing the experience, emphasizing that disapprovals happen at every level of aviation and do not define a pilotâs ability or future.
Wally provides insight from the examinerâs perspective, explaining that a disapproval simply means a standard was not met on that dayânot that the pilot is incapable. The group highlights that anxiety, small mistakes, or even external life factors can contribute to an unsatisfactory outcome.
The episode then shifts to actionable recovery steps. First, pilots must fully understand the debrief and letter of disapproval, ensuring they know exactly what needs to be corrected. Next comes ownershipâaccepting responsibility as pilot in commandâfollowed by focused retraining that targets specific deficiencies rather than starting from scratch.
The hosts emphasize the importance of confidence, smart preparation, and even taking time to decompress before a retest. They also reinforce that most pilots successfully pass on the next attempt. Ultimately, the episode reframes disapproval as a powerful learning opportunityâone that can produce safer, more self-aware, and more resilient pilots.
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Tammy Barlette
Former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and instructor with experience flying the A-10 Warthog, MQ-1 Predator, and MQ-9 Reaper. She now teaches mental performance training specifically designed for aviators through her company Crosscheck Mental Performance.
Tammy combines lessons from aviation, elite athletics, and performance psychology to help pilots improve focus, confidence, and decision-making under pressure.
Key Topics Discussed
Mental Performance Training for Pilots
Why many pilots struggle with performance rather than knowledge
How stress affects access to information in high-pressure situations
Techniques used by elite athletes that translate directly to aviation
Perfectionism in Aviation
Why perfectionism can hurt pilot performance
Learning to use mistakes as feedback instead of defining moments
Confidence and Internal Dialogue
How self-talk influences pilot performance
Why confidence must be intentionally builtânot assumed
Process vs Outcome Goals
Why focusing only on checkrides or certificates can hurt motivation
Using process-based goals to build long-term success in flight training
Practical Techniques
The âWhat now?â reset technique to stay present in flight
Building confidence through small wins and self-recognition
Staying mentally focused during checkride preparation
Resources Tammy Shared
Crosscheck Online Community
https://www.skool.com/crosscheck/Crosscheck Mental Performance Website
https://www.crosscheckmentalperformance.com/Tammy Barlette on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammybarlette/ -
In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern are joined by United Flight Systems Vice President Jay Robinson to break down one of the most debated topics in flight training: Part 61 vs. Part 141. If youâve spent any time researching flight schools, youâve likely heard strong opinionsâ141 is faster, cheaper, more structured⊠or maybe rigid and bureaucratic. So whatâs actually true?
The answer: it depends on the student, not just the regulation.
This episode dives deep into the biggest misconceptions surrounding both training paths. The team explains that while Part 141 offers structure and FAA oversight, that structure doesnât automatically mean better outcomes. Likewise, Part 61 isnât inherently more flexible, faster, or cheaper. What really drives success is the quality of the school, the instructors, and how well the program supports each individual student.
They also tackle common myths like:
Is Part 141 actually fasterâor just marketed that way? Are stage checks something to fear? Does failing a stage check hurt your future career? Can you switch between Part 61 and 141 without losing progress?Along the way, Wally brings an airline pilotâs perspective, reinforcing that hiring departments donât care whether you trained under Part 61 or 141âthey care about your skills, consistency, and professionalism.
Whether youâre just getting started or evaluating your next rating, this episode will help you cut through the noise and make a smarter, more confident training decision.
Bottom line: Itâs not about the regulationâitâs about the people and the process behind your training.
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Buy the 3rd edition here: https://asa2fly.com/the-killing-zone/
This episode of Behind the Prop takes a deep, practical look at aviation safety culture, pilot decision-making, and the human factors that continue to drive accidents across all experience levels. Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern are joined by Paul Craig, author of The Killing Zone, to discuss why judgmentânot just skill or legal minimumsâis the foundation of safe flying.
The conversation begins with real-world examples of pilots choosing to delay or cancel flights despite external pressure, reinforcing that many of the best safety decisions never show up in accident statistics because nothing went wrong. Paul Craig shares data showing that from 2012 to 2023, approximately 82% of aviation accidents were survivable, shifting the focus toward preventing all accidents, not just fatal ones. Survivable accidents still represent breakdowns in judgment, awareness, or risk management, and often occur when pilots adopt an âit wonât happen to meâ mindset.
A major theme of the episode is complacency, particularly as pilots gain experience. Wally and Bobby discuss how overconfidence can peak around key experience milestones, such as the first several hundred flight hours for pilots and around 1,000 hours for instructors. This complacency can quietly erode discipline in areas like preflight planning, fuel management, and risk assessment. The hosts emphasize that vigilance must be continuous, regardless of total time or aircraft type.
The discussion also explores the evolution of The Killing Zone and the decision to move its third edition to an aviation-focused publisher. The bookâs continued relevance lies in its ability to wake pilots up to the statistically dangerous transition periods in their flying careers and encourage humility, preparation, and sound decision-making.
Throughout the episode, the group stresses the importance of practical understanding over memorization. Real safety comes from applying knowledge in dynamic, imperfect situationsâwhether navigating unusual airspace, managing fatigue, or making conservative go/no-go decisions. The episode closes with a strong reminder that aviation safety is a shared responsibility built through mentorship, education, and a commitment to putting life ahead of ego, schedule, or expectation.
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This episode of Behind the Prop focuses on what truly determines student pilot readiness for solo flight, emphasizing judgment, consistency, and safety over simply meeting legal minimums. Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern explain that solo readiness is not a checklist item but a mindset. Students must be willing to cancel a solo flight when conditions are not right, whether due to weather, aircraft condition, traffic volume, or personal readiness. The ability to say ânoâ is framed as a critical pilot skill, not a failure.
A major theme is the importance of consistent personal minimums. The hosts discuss how changing limits based on convenience or pressure can lead pilots into dangerous decision-making zones. Personal minimums may differ between pattern work and cross-country flying, but they must remain logically consistent and conservative. Clear boundaries, reinforced by instructors and aviation leaders, help prevent accidents caused by poor judgment and overconfidence.
The episode also stresses rigorous preflight inspections, especially on familiar aircraft. Complacency with aircraft condition is highlighted as a common risk, with reminders to physically verify fuel, oil, caps, and surfaces every time. Performance planning is equally important, as long runways and home airports can create a false sense of security. Understanding density altitude, weight, and engine performance builds confidence and prevents surprises during solo operations.
Traffic awareness and communication receive significant attention. In acknowledging crowded training environments, Bobby and Wally discuss how poor pattern discipline and weak radio calls contribute to near midair collisions. Students are encouraged to master pattern procedures, listen more than they talk, and fully understand both towered and non-towered operations before soloing.
Emergency preparedness rounds out the discussion. Pilots must be ready to handle unexpected failures alone by prioritizing aviate, navigate, and communicate. Practicing emergencies, memorizing light gun signals, and rehearsing radio failures help ensure calm, effective responses when things go wrong.
Finally, the hosts address training philosophy. Instructors are encouraged to reduce over-talking and create space for students to think independently. The goal is to produce pilots who take ownership of their decisions, demonstrate sound judgment, and fly safelyânot just students who follow rules or pass checkrides.
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In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern explore how pilot training canâand shouldâbetter integrate ground knowledge with real-world flying skills. Titled âFrom Ground to Sky: The Equal Journey,â the discussion challenges the long-standing separation between classroom learning and cockpit experience, arguing that true pilot proficiency comes from blending the two from the very beginning.
Wally shares insight from airline training at United, where modern programs no longer rely on weeks of traditional classroom ground school. Instead, pilots complete short, focused computer-based training at home and transition almost immediately into flight training devices. By learning systems, normal procedures, and abnormal scenarios while seated in the cockpit and actively manipulating switches, pilots gain a deeper, more durable understanding than rote memorization ever provides. This hands-on approach reduces disengagement and accelerates learning by tying knowledge directly to action.
Bobby contrasts this with common practices in general aviation, where students are often encouraged to âget ground school out of the wayâ before flying. He explains why this mindset is flawed, emphasizing that interacting with taxiway signs, runway markings, airspace, and procedures in real time creates understanding that flashcards and videos cannot. Ground knowledge, he argues, should be continuously reinforced throughout flight trainingânot treated as a one-time hurdle.
A major theme of the episode is navigating the overwhelming number of training resources available today. Both hosts stress that the âbestâ ground school is the one aligned with a studentâs flight school and instructor syllabus. Using mismatched materials often creates confusion and slows progress, even if those alternatives are cheaper or more popular.
The conversation then shifts to the critical gap between passing a written exam and being ready for a checkrideâor real-world flying. Wally shares checkride examples where applicants knew answers by memory but struggled to apply them in practical situations, particularly with weather minimums and airspace requirements. Bobby adds personal experiences where rote knowledge failed under real operational pressure, reinforcing the need for contextual learning.
The episode also addresses modern avionics training, clarifying misconceptions about navigation identification and encouraging pilots to properly use available technology, including visual identifiers and autopilots, as safety tools.
The takeaway is clear: great pilots are not just âgood sticks.â They are aviators who seamlessly combine ground knowledge, judgment, and flying skill to make sound decisions in real-world conditions.
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In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern reflect on the lessons learned from flying in 2025 and use those experiences to frame practical pilot resolutions for the year ahead. The conversation opens with an honest discussion about why there is no such thing as a perfect flight, even for pilots with tens of thousands of hours. From automation surprises in advanced aircraft to long, weather-impacted piston flights, Bobby and Wally share real examples that reinforce the importance of staying mentally engaged and maintaining strong manual flying skills.
Bobby recounts earning his Vision Jet type rating and the humbling moments that followed, including approach errors caused by mode confusion and overreliance on automation. These experiences highlight how quickly situations can escalate when pilots assume the airplane will âfix itâ for them. Wally adds his own ânever againâ lesson involving fuel planning, where chasing cheaper fuel led to delays, extra flying, and higher costs. Together, these stories underscore a core theme of the episode: reliability, preparation, and judgment matter more than convenience or marginal savings.
The hosts dive into personal minimums and proficiency, challenging pilots to reevaluate their limits as skills, experience, and operating environments change. They discuss why flying IFR, especially in actual weather, is mentally fatiguing and why proficiency can erode quickly without regular practice. Wally uses sports analogies to explain the importance of gradually building confidence in real conditions, while Bobby emphasizes aligning personal minimums with terrain, weather, and familiarityânot just legal minimums or flight school standards.
The episode also explores how pilots can elevate their skills by using instructors strategically and taking advantage of programs like FAA WINGS. Rather than viewing instructor time as a burden, Bobby and Wally encourage pilots to treat it as an opportunity to sharpen skills, gain confidence, and reduce the need for formal flight reviews. They close by offering goal-setting guidance for student pilots, advanced trainees, and aspiring airline pilots, urging each group to balance knowledge, hands-on flying, and giving back to the aviation community.
This episode serves as a reminder that growth in aviation comes from reflection, humility, and commitment. By documenting lessons learned, reassessing personal limits, and setting intentional goals, pilots can make the coming year safer, more rewarding, and more professionally fulfilling.
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In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern unpack one of the most persistent and underestimated threats in aviation: cockpit distraction. Drawing from both historical airline accidents and modern general aviation trends, they explore how small lapses in attention can escalate into major safety events. The hosts revisit the tragedies of Eastern Airlines Flight 401 and United Flight 173, where professional crews became so focused on minor gear-indicator issues that they stopped flying the airplaneâproving that distraction, not mechanical failure, can be the true killer. With the NTSB attributing 15â20% of GA accidents to distraction, the need for proactive management has never been clearer.
The conversation moves into the cockpit realities of todayâs pilots, where heavy reliance on iPads, automation, and touchscreen avionics often leads to excessive head-down time. Bobby and Wally share recent examples from training flights where pilots missed radio calls, misprogrammed GPS units, or became task-saturated simply because tech drew their attention away from flying. They emphasize the importance of preparing devices and routes before takeoff, and using automation deliberately rather than reactively. A key takeaway is that pilots must be willing to self-identify errors, speak up immediately, and assume the mistake is theirs until proven otherwiseâa mindset that dramatically improves safety margins.
The episode also highlights the critical role of the sterile cockpit, with Bobby advocating its use below 2,500 feet in GA. The hosts explain how nonessential chatter during taxi, takeoff, or climb dilutes situational awareness and can overwhelm newer pilots. They encourage instructors to reduce excessive talking as students advance, creating the âintentional silenceâ needed for real concentration and independent decision-making.
Finally, Bobby and Wally address a commonly misunderstood distraction: open doors during takeoff or initial climb. They explain why an open door is typically benign, why rejecting a takeoff is often riskier, and why pilots must train for these scenarios before facing them unexpectedly.
The episode closes with a call to actionâpilots should openly discuss distractions, log them, review them, and build habits that keep them anchored to the core principle of aviation: aviate, navigate, communicate.
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In this episode of Behind the Prop, hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern welcome Mark Patey â entrepreneur, aviator, and co-founder of Best Tugs and Best Aviation Products â for a powerful conversation on aviation innovation, safety, and personal growth. With over 12,000 flight hours and nearly three decades of flying experience, Mark shares how his passion for engineering and aviation led to building products that offer twice the value for only 10â20% more cost, creating a winning formula for pilots who prioritize both performance and safety. His companies now have 47 new aviation products under development, each designed to make flying more efficient, safer, and more enjoyable.
Beyond business, Mark opens up about his transformation from the thrill-seeking days of the âFlying Cowboysâ to becoming a safety advocate focused on humility and honesty. He reflects on how earlier flying videos showcasing aggressive backcountry flying unintentionally encouraged risk-taking, and how experience â along with age and perspective â taught him the true meaning of responsible flying. Mark emphasizes that proficiency and preparation make the difference between danger and mastery, comparing backcountry flying to instrument flying: both can be safe or deadly, depending on skill and mindset.
The discussion also explores the growing issue of negativity in online aviation communities, where misinformation and quick judgments often drown out real learning opportunities. Mark and the hosts discuss the need for empathy, understanding, and constructive dialogue among pilots. In response to the fear and stigma surrounding mistakes, Mark introduces his vision for a âPilot Confessionalâ podcast, where aviators can anonymously share near-miss experiences and lessons learned â helping others avoid similar situations without fear of backlash or violation.
In a heartfelt conclusion, Mark reveals how a near-death medical experience reshaped his outlook on life and aviation. No longer chasing records or recognition, he now prioritizes peace, longevity, and family. His message to the aviation community is clear: be honest about your skills, stay humble, and fly for the love of life â not the thrill of risk.
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In this episode of Behind the Prop, hosts Wally Mulhern and Bobby Doss dive into one of the most important and often overlooked stages of a pilotâs development â the period right after earning a Private Pilot Certificate, when decision-making truly begins. While training provides structure and supervision, real pilot-in-command judgment is built through solo experience, reflection, and continuous learning.
Wally explains that many new pilots complete training with strong technical skills but little real-world decision-making experience. He compares flying to golf â once the fundamentals are learned, consistent, thoughtful application separates good pilots from great ones. Without the safety net of an instructor, new private pilots must learn to evaluate fuel, weather, and personal minimums on their own. Both hosts emphasize that certification is not the finish line but the starting point of lifelong learning.
The conversation covers key tools like the PAVE acronym (Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressures), which provides a structured way to assess preflight risk. Wally and Bobby also stress the importance of mental rehearsals and âwhat ifâ scenario planning to strengthen decision-making during unexpected events. Through real stories â from leaving chocks in place to handling equipment failures â they illustrate how small mistakes can lead to valuable lessons when managed properly.
Technology plays a major role in modern flying, but the hosts caution against overreliance on apps and automation. Errors in systems like ForeFlight can mislead pilots who fail to verify data manually. Proficiency, not just currency, is the foundation of safety. Pilots are urged to set personal minimums, fly regularly with instructors, and stay humble about their skill level, especially after certification.
The episode closes with a powerful reminder: good judgment is learned through experience, reflection, and discipline. Wally and Bobby encourage pilots to embrace real-world flying, learn from othersâ incidents, and view every flight as an opportunity to refine decision-making. Their shared vision promotes a culture of continuous learning and safety, helping pilots evolve from newly certified to truly competent and confident aviators.
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In this episode, Wally Mulhern and Bobby Doss take listeners deep into the mindset and methods behind effective flight planning. They break down how professional pilots think, plan, and prepareâlong before the engine ever starts.
Wally explains why smart flight planning begins weeks in advance, sometimes as early as 20 days before departure, especially for longer trips. He shares how to select fuel stops just beyond the halfway pointâaround 280 to 320 milesâto maintain both efficiency and mental endurance. Past experiences taught him that chasing cheaper fuel can backfire through delays and limited services, making reliability and safety worth the extra cost.
Weather plays a defining role in every flight, and Wally emphasizes checking forecasts repeatedlyâthree weeks, two weeks, ten days, and again the night before. He outlines how to analyze broad surface charts, TAFs, and METARs to anticipate conditions, adjust routes, and account for winds that can change fuel burn by up to 20% in a Cessna 172. He also discusses planning around TFRs and keeping alternate airports ready, even when not required.
Bobby builds on that foundation with his focus on cockpit organization and readiness. His night-before checklist includes verifying oil levels, charging devices, updating ForeFlight, and packing flight materials. These habits reduce stress, save time, and make each preflight smoother. Wally echoes this with his own structured airline routineâpacking the night before, updating iPads, and keeping notes on the yoke for future pilots. Both stress that good organization directly impacts performance and safety, especially during check rides.
Together, they underline a shared philosophy: prepare early, plan thoroughly, and stay flexible. Weather forecasts are only predictions, sound judgment and real-time decision-making matter most. Their combined airline and general aviation experience shows that professional-grade preparation leads to safer, more confident flying.
Whether youâre a new student pilot or seasoned aviator, this episode delivers actionable insights on fuel management, weather interpretation, and cockpit disciplineâhelping you fly smarter, safer, and more like a pro.
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In this episode, host Bobby Doss and co-host Wally Mulhearn dive deep into what it truly takes to run a modern flight school day to day. Bobby offers a transparent look at the enormous scope of responsibilities behind United Flight Systemsâfrom facilities and fleet management to staff culture and student successâillustrating that being a flight-school owner is far more than âcounting gold bars.â
The conversation begins with Bobby describing the constant balancing act of maintenance, compliance, and customer experience. He emphasizes the unseen details that shape safety and efficiency: reliable internet, plumbing, lighting, hangar upkeep, and even thoughtful touches like pull-through aircraft parking, which saves students time and money. The two outline the structure of the show in aviation termsâtakeoff, cruise, and landingâmirroring the rhythm of a typical workday.
During the âtakeoffâ segment, Bobby explains his early-morning ritual: checking weather with the Windy app, reviewing schedules, and coordinating with his leadership team to prepare for any disruptions. In âcruise,â he details the constant hum of operationsâmaintenance calls, last-minute squawks, and people management for nearly 50 employees. He describes leadership as both rewarding and exhausting: motivating staff, resolving conflicts, and maintaining the culture of âUFS to the 5th PowerââSafety, Students, Staff, School, and Self.
As the day âlands,â Bobby focuses on reflection and preparation. End-of-day check-ins, milestone tracking, and student-record verification ensure accountability and celebration of progress. He underscores his commitment to safety, continuous improvement, and recognizing both instructor and student achievements. Despite the administrative load, Bobby remains deeply engagedâflying when possible, mentoring, and cherishing the impact his school makes on aviation careers.
The episode closes on gratitude and perspective: Bobby and Wally celebrate 500,000 downloads of Behind the Prop, expressing pride that their conversations help pilots become safer and more informed. Itâs a heartfelt, behind-the-scenes portrait of dedication, discipline, and passion that defines life as a flight-school owner and aviation advocate.
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What happens when a tech executive with a passion for flying gets the chance to combine both worlds? In this episode of Behind the Prop, hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn welcome Barry Knuttila, President and CEO of King Schools, to explore that exact story.
Barry recounts his early flying background, how a corporate collapse unexpectedly redirected his career, and the fateful moment he reached out to John and Martha King. That outreach led to a role as CTO during King Schoolsâ transition to the internet era, eventually growing into leadership of the company itself. Along the way, Barry earned advanced ratings, flew Falcons with John and Martha, and became a familiar on-camera instructor.
The discussion highlights King Schoolsâ unique ethosâauthenticity, humility, and an unwavering focus on student success. Barry explains how listening to customer feedback and treating students like friends has guided the company from the days of shipping VHS tapes to todayâs mobile-friendly apps, flashcards, and integrated flight school tools.
Listeners will hear about how the flight training industry has shifted from primarily self-paced, individual learning to ab initio, career-focused programs. Barry shares how King Schools has responded by expanding its B2B offerings for universities and flight schools while continuing to serve individual learners. The conversation also covers innovations in course design, the importance of breaking training into smaller, more consumable segments, and King Schoolsâ efforts to reduce checkride anxiety through immersive preparation courses.
From personal reflections on flying helicopters and biplanes for fun to insights on the future of aviation training, Barryâs perspective underscores both the timeless values and forward-looking vision that continue to shape King Schools. Whether youâre a student pilot, CFI, or aviation enthusiast, this episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for every stage of the journey.
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Mastering energy management is one of the cornerstones of becoming a safe and confident pilot. In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn unpack the topic in detail, showing how altitude, airspeed, and power all work together as âenergy assetsâ that must be carefully managed throughout every phase of flightâespecially on approach and landing.
Drawing from countless check rides, Wally describes how many applicants fall into the trap of treating every descent as a power-off glide, when in reality, a controlled descent with power and speed can be safer and more effective. Bobby shares his own learning curve, including stories of fast landings and bounced touchdowns, underscoring why setting up a stabilized approach is non-negotiable. Together, they walk through rules of thumb for descent planning, techniques for recognizing if youâre high or low on base, and how instrument training can help sharpen a pilotâs âsight pictureâ of a standard glide path.
Listeners will hear practical guidance on the classic âpitch for airspeed, power for altitudeâ debate, and how those principles apply differently in cruise versus the landing phase. The duo also highlight the dangers of over-correction and porpoising, explaining why patience and small, measured inputs make all the difference. Wallyâs mantraââeyes moving fast, hands moving slowââis a powerful takeaway for anyone working toward smoother, more confident landings.
The episode wraps with recommended resources like the Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA Risk Management Handbook, and the AIM, plus encouragement to practice energy management on challenging days with an instructor. Whether youâre a new student preparing for a checkride or an experienced pilot refining your technique, this discussion offers the tools to better understand and master the flow of energy in your aircraft.
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