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Behind the Prop

Bobby Doss, Wally Mulhearn

Behind the Prop is the Podcast for anyone involved in aviation from general aviation to professional pilots. Our hosts Bobby Doss is the owner of a flight school in Houston, Texas, and Wally Mulhearn is a pilot for a major airline and is also a designated pilot examiner (DPE) based in Houston, Texas. Weekly they tell stories, share lessons and tips from behind the prop. Together they have over 24,400 hours of flight time (Wally has over 24,000 of those) and collectively they provide very unique perspectives on general aviation, airplanes, and all things aviation.

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28 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 40 min
English

Episodes 28

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#206
Monday · 33 min
E206 - The Invisible System Keeping You Alive
Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn break down the cabin heat and ventilation system: where the warm air really comes from, how a crack hidden inside the muffler shroud can put carbon monoxide in the cockpit, and why it is so easy to miss. They cover the warning signs, a 2024 NTSB forced-landing case, and the flow to run if you suspect CO: heat off, fresh air in, and point toward the nearest airport.
October 19 · 43 min
E205 - I Knew the Rule, The Pilot Who Walked Into a Running Prop
Samuel Couillard shares his experience surviving a propeller strike as an experienced student pilot who understood the risks yet suffered a momentary lapse due to complacency and environmental factors. Hosted by Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn, the episode explores human factors like fatigue, routine changes, and the gap between knowledge and safe behavior in aviation. The discussion focuses on lessons for maintaining vigilance throughout every phase of flight operations and building systems to pr
October 5 · 42 min
E204 - What does that BLUE KNOB actually do?
In episode E204 of Behind the Prop, hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn dive into the function of the blue knob in constant speed propeller systems. They explain it as the RPM selector that acts like a transmission by changing propeller blade pitch to maintain selected RPMs. The discussion covers fixed pitch versus constant speed props, the role of the governor, engine oil as hydraulic fluid for blade adjustment, manifold pressure management during climbs and descents, and why the POH is the fin
September 21 · 47 min
E203 - Ask the DPE - Part II
In this episode of United Flight Systems, Bobby Doss continues his conversation with DPE Wally Mulhearn in part two of Ask the DPE. They dive deep into what makes an examiner nervous during checkrides, particularly during simulated engine failures and low altitude go-arounds. Wally explains the importance of proper go-around procedures versus touch-and-goes and why examiners avoid the latter on checkrides. The discussion covers the fine line between an ugly maneuver and an unsafe pilot, emphasiz
September 7 · 40 min
E202 - Ask the DPE - Part I
In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby interviews DPE Wally Mulhern in Ask the DPE Part I. They cover what makes an applicant look ready before walking in the door, including flight time reasonableness on the 8710, IACRA applications, solo versus PIC time, and required cross country, night, and instrument time. Wally shares signs that someone was sent too early, such as last-minute urgency and poor planning. They discuss communication preferences like email or text with full details including
August 24 · 46 min
E201 - The First Five Minutes
In episode 201 of Behind the Prop, hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn dive into the critical first five minutes of flight, covering the high-workload period from engine start through initial climb. They share practical advice on managing radios, passengers, checklists, taxi and IFR clearances, sterile cockpit procedures, run-up flows, and go/no-go decisions to help pilots avoid getting behind the aircraft. The discussion emphasizes repeatable personal flows, checklist discipline, and proactive
August 10 · 35 min
E200 - The Flight Before the Flight
In Episode 200 titled 'The Flight Before the Flight,' hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn explore thorough pre-flight preparation beyond traditional navigation planning. They break down the night-before sequence including weather outlook briefings, aircraft documentation and qualifications, fuel planning, and personal fitness assessments, followed by morning-of checks using current conditions and personal minimums. The discussion emphasizes building habits with tools like the PAVE checklist to s
July 27 · 35 min
E199 - The Dirty Dozen
In this episode of Behind the Prop, hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn dive into the Dirty Dozen, a set of twelve human factor traps that can affect pilots and mechanics alike. Originally released by the FAA around 2011 or 2012 as a poster for mechanics, these traps apply equally to pilots and can lead to serious situations if not recognized. The discussion covers everyday traps like complacency and distraction that bite on routine flights, as well as decision-making and awareness issues. Bobb
July 20 · 8 min
E198b - Oshkosh Dispatch
This episode kicks off the Oshkosh Dispatch series as Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn preview EAA AirVenture. They reminisce about last year's event including blimp formations and the massive scale of the airshow while discussing aviation lingo like calling it Osh. Wally shares his travel plans flying the Saratoga from Houston to Madison Wisconsin with fuel stops and packed lunches after missing car rentals in Fond du Lac. Bobby mentions his daughter working with 4Flights and their upcoming annou
July 13 · 41 min
E198 - True, False, or It Depends
Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn return to the mics after a break to tackle aviation myths in this episode of Behind the Prop. They dive into common misconceptions heard in flight training, around the hangar, and during checkrides, using a true false or it depends format to separate fact from fiction. Topics range from accelerated programs and school environments to DPE interactions and real-world decision making. The hosts explore whether accelerated training is always faster, how weather impacts
June 29 · 42 min
E197 - From Early Lessons to Cross-Country Weather: A Pilot's Journey
Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn explore the pilot's journey from student training through the first 100 hours and into cross-country weather decisions. They discuss red flags like poor preparation and overconfidence, share personal weather stories, and offer practical advice on real-world go/no-go choices for icing and convective activity.
#201
June 15 · 51 min
E196 - The Soft Skills That Actually Make Great Flight Instructors
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 b
June 1 · 38 min
E195 - Could You Handle an Emergency Tonight?
Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn tackle the critical question of whether pilots are truly ready for an emergency tonight, emphasizing that you fall to the level of your training rather than rising to the occasion. They break down memory items, scenario-based drills, a real-world gear-up landing case study, and night-specific risk reduction strategies like flying higher and following freeways. Listeners walk away with practical ways to build reflexive habits and stay prepared for the unexpected.
#200
May 18 · 33 min
E194 - The Hidden Costs of Rushing Flight Training
In this episode of Behind the Prop, hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn explore the pitfalls of rushing flight training, drawing from real experiences at United Flight Systems. They discuss how unprepared students waste money on ineffective lessons, the marketing hype around accelerated programs, and why most people benefit from a slower, more consistent pace. Bobby shares a story of a student who returned after maturing, emphasizing the need for motivation and study habits to make training effi
#199
May 4 · 40 min
E193 - When FINE isn't FINE
In this episode of Behind The Prop, hosts Bobby and Wally explore the perils of underestimating weather conditions in aviation, drawing from personal experiences and historical accidents like Delta Flight 191. They emphasize the importance of thorough weather planning, tools like the Windy app, and sticking to personal minimums to avoid costly mistakes and ensure safer flights.
#198
April 20 · 47 min
E192 - From Setbacks to Skills- Mastering Mindset and Mental Math in the Cockpit
Bobby and Wally break down how pilots can turn setbacks into growth by mastering mindset, self-talk, and decision-making. From checkride mistakes to real cockpit scenarios, they explore resilience and the FAA’s hazardous attitudes that can derail pilots. The episode finishes with practical mental math hacks for fuel, airspeed, density altitude, and crosswind calculations—giving pilots tools they can use immediately in the cockpit.
#197
April 6 · 48 min
E191 - Brandin Cooks, Pilot & NFL Wide Receiver
In this episode of Behind the Prop, we sit down with NFL wide receiver and pilot Brandin Cooks for a conversation that bridges two worlds rarely connected—professional football and aviation. Brandin shares his journey from becoming a first-round NFL draft pick and one of the league’s most consistent receivers to discovering a passion for flying. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a serious pursuit, earning his private pilot license, instrument rating, and logging hours in his Cirrus
#196
March 23 · 47 min
E190 - Recovering After an FAA Checkride Disapproval
This episode of Behind the Prop breaks down how pilots can recover from an FAA checkride disapproval. The hosts emphasize that disapprovals are common and don’t define a pilot’s future. They outline a clear path forward: understand the debrief, take ownership, and focus retraining on specific weaknesses. Confidence, proper preparation, and even taking time to reset before a retest are key. The core message is simple—one bad day doesn’t end your aviation journey. In many cases, it can make you
#195
March 9 · 42 min
E189 - Tammy Barlette, Crosscheck Mental Performance Training
“Most pilots don’t lack knowledge. They lack access to that knowledge under pressure.” In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn sit down with Tammy Barlette, a former U.S. Air Force A-10 pilot, Weapons School graduate, and mental performance coach who now helps pilots perform at their best under pressure. Tammy shares how mental performance training—commonly used by elite athletes—can dramatically improve aviation performance by helping pilots access the knowledge and
#194
February 23 · 47 min
E188 - The Real Part 141- Busting Myths and Debunking Mysteries
This episode of Behind the Prop breaks down the myths surrounding Part 61 vs. Part 141 flight training. Bobby, Wally, and Jay explain that neither path is inherently better, faster, or cheaper—it all depends on the student and the school. They clarify that structure doesn’t guarantee quality, stage checks are valuable (not harmful), and failures don’t impact long-term careers. The key takeaway: success in flight training comes from choosing a well-run school with strong instructors and support—n

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