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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20 episodes
Updated July 20

Episodes20

Newest first

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 20 · 8 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
July 13 · 41 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.
June 29 · 42 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 15 · 51 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.
June 1 · 38 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
May 18 · 33 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.
May 4 · 40 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.
April 20 · 47 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
April 6 · 48 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
March 23 · 47 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
March 9 · 42 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
February 23 · 47 min
E187 - Paul Craig, Killing Zone 3rd Edition & Story Time
This episode of Behind the Prop explores how safety culture and decision-making directly impact accident prevention in aviation. Bobby Doss, Wally Mulhern, and Paul Craig discuss why complacency, especially as experience grows, remains one of the most dangerous threats to pilots. They break down accident data showing that most accidents are survivable, reinforcing the need to prevent all accidents—not just fatal ones. The conversation also highlights the evolution of The Killing Zone and why pra
February 9 · 49 min
E186 - Are you ready for your SOLO?
This episode of Behind the Prop dives into what truly makes a student ready to solo, focusing on judgment, consistency, and safety. Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern explain why knowing when to cancel a solo flight is just as important as knowing how to fly it. They discuss the role of firm personal minimums, thorough preflight inspections, and performance awareness in preventing avoidable mistakes. The conversation also highlights traffic awareness, clear communication, and calm emergency handling i
January 26 · 31 min
E185 - From Ground to Sky - The Equal Journey
In this episode, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern break down how modern pilot training is shifting from traditional classroom-heavy ground school to an integrated, hands-on learning model. They explain how United Airlines blends online study with simulator and cockpit-based training to help pilots connect systems knowledge directly to real-world procedures. The discussion highlights why using ground school materials that align with a flight school’s curriculum is critical to faster learning and redu
January 12 · 35 min
E184 - Pilot Resolutions for the New Year
In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern look back on 2025 to extract real-world flying lessons that shape smarter, safer pilots. They discuss how automation complacency, fuel planning decisions, and long weather-impacted flights reveal the importance of manual proficiency and disciplined decision-making. The conversation challenges pilots to reassess personal minimums, recognize fatigue, and honestly evaluate proficiency—especially in IMC and unfamiliar environments. Bob
Dec 29, 2025 · 29 min
E183 - The Silent Killer - Distractions
This episode of Behind the Prop examines how cockpit distractions—both old and new—continue to threaten pilot safety across all levels of aviation. Bobby and Wally revisit major airline accidents and modern GA incidents to show how even minor issues can escalate when pilots lose focus on flying the airplane. They break down today’s top distraction sources, from overreliance on iPads and automation to casual cockpit conversation during critical phases of flight. The hosts also clarify misundersto
Dec 15, 2025 · 40 min
E182 - Mark Patey - Transition from Flying Cowboy to Safety Advocate
In this episode of Behind the Prop, Mark Patey joins Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern to share his evolution from a "Flying Cowboy” to a passionate aviation safety advocate. Mark discusses his journey from building Best Tugs and Best Aviation Products — companies focused on creating smarter, safer aviation tools — to redefining what it means to fly responsibly. He opens up about lessons learned from risky flying, the importance of honesty, humility, and preparation in aviation, and how online negati
Nov 24, 2025 · 42 min
E181 - Beyond the Check Ride - Building Real World Pilot Judgment
In this episode of Behind the Prop, Wally Mulhern and Bobby Doss tackle one of aviation’s biggest challenges — decision-making for new private pilots. They explore how real pilot judgment begins after certification, when flying solo without an instructor’s safety net. The discussion covers tools like PAVE, real-world stories of in-flight decisions, and how overreliance on technology can lead to costly mistakes. Wally and Bobby emphasize developing personal minimums, maintaining proficiency, and
Nov 10, 2025 · 40 min
E180 - Flight Planning the Night Before: Your Key to a Smoother Cockpit
In this episode, host Bobby Doss and co-host Wally Mulhern dive into the art of flight planning and weather preparation, showing how disciplined habits create safer, smoother flights. Wally shares how he begins planning up to 20 days ahead, choosing smarter fuel stops, evaluating weather systems, and always keeping alternates in mind. Bobby emphasizes organization and readiness, from updating ForeFlight to packing and charging gear the night before. Together, they stress that flexibility, prepar
Oct 27, 2025 · 41 min

Behind the Prop

E198b - Oshkosh Dispatch

E198 - True, False, or It Depends

E197 - From Early Lessons to Cross-Country Weather: A Pilot's Journey

E196 - The Soft Skills That Actually Make Great Flight Instructors

E195 - Could You Handle an Emergency Tonight?

E194 - The Hidden Costs of Rushing Flight Training

E193 - When FINE isn't FINE

E192 - From Setbacks to Skills- Mastering Mindset and Mental Math in the Cockpit

E191 - Brandin Cooks, Pilot & NFL Wide Receiver

E190 - Recovering After an FAA Checkride Disapproval

E189 - Tammy Barlette, Crosscheck Mental Performance Training

E188 - The Real Part 141- Busting Myths and Debunking Mysteries

E187 - Paul Craig, Killing Zone 3rd Edition & Story Time

E186 - Are you ready for your SOLO?

E185 - From Ground to Sky - The Equal Journey

E184 - Pilot Resolutions for the New Year

E183 - The Silent Killer - Distractions

E182 - Mark Patey - Transition from Flying Cowboy to Safety Advocate

E181 - Beyond the Check Ride - Building Real World Pilot Judgment

E180 - Flight Planning the Night Before: Your Key to a Smoother Cockpit