Behind the Prop

Bobby Doss, Wally Mulhearn
  • 4,9 (133)
  • AVIAÇÃO
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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.

  1. HÁ 1 DIA

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

    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 pilot’s development — 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 — 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 “what if” scenario planning to strengthen decision-making during unexpected events. Through real stories — from leaving chocks in place to handling equipment failures — 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 others’ 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.

    41min

  2. 27 DE OUT.

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

    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 prepare—long 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 point—around 280 to 320 miles—to 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 repeatedly—three 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 routine—packing 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 you’re a new student pilot or seasoned aviator, this episode delivers actionable insights on fuel management, weather interpretation, and cockpit discipline—helping you fly smarter, safer, and more like a pro.

    41min

  3. 13 DE OUT.

    E179 - A Day in the Life of a Flight School Owner

    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 Systems—from facilities and fleet management to staff culture and student success—illustrating that being a flight-school owner is far more than “counting gold bars.” 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 terms—takeoff, cruise, and landing—mirroring the rhythm of a typical workday. During the “takeoff” 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 “cruise,” he details the constant hum of operations—maintenance 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 “UFS to the 5th Power”—Safety, Students, Staff, School, and Self. As the day “lands,” 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 engaged—flying 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. It’s a heartfelt, behind-the-scenes portrait of dedication, discipline, and passion that defines life as a flight-school owner and aviation advocate.

    52min

  4. 29 DE SET.

    E178 - Barry Knuttila, King Schools President & CEO

    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 Schools’ 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 Schools’ unique ethos—authenticity, 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 today’s 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 Schools’ 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, Barry’s perspective underscores both the timeless values and forward-looking vision that continue to shape King Schools. Whether you’re a student pilot, CFI, or aviation enthusiast, this episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for every stage of the journey.

    43min

  5. 15 DE SET.

    E177 - Mastering Energy Management for Approaches and Landings

    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 “energy assets” that must be carefully managed throughout every phase of flight—especially 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 you’re high or low on base, and how instrument training can help sharpen a pilot’s “sight picture” of a standard glide path. Listeners will hear practical guidance on the classic “pitch for airspeed, power for altitude” 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. Wally’s mantra—“eyes moving fast, hands moving slow”—is 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 you’re 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.

    34min

  6. 1 DE SET.

    E176 - Darren Pleasance, AOPA President & CEO

    Aviation Career Foundation & PhilosophyDarren Pleasance's aviation journey began serendipitously at age 13 in Livermore, California, sparked by witnessing model airplane flying in a local park (02:32) Boy Scouts aviation merit badge provided first airplane flight experience with troop leader who was also a flight instructor Airport proximity advantage allowed daily after-school bicycle rides to Livermore Airport for hands-on learning Mentorship network development through open hangar visits led to free flight instruction from CFI named Doug Accelerated certification timeline: solo at 16, private at 17, commercial instrument flight instructor at 18 College funding strategy utilized flight instruction income to pay for education expenses Life decision framework established early: "When faced with difficult decision, choose one that makes for better story" (07:03) McKinsey departure decision after 14 years applied this principle to join Google despite financial spreadsheet analysis Alaska bush pilot choice over completing engineering master's degree exemplified same philosophy Career diversification approach created multiple aviation experiences: corporate jets, glider towing, competition aerobatics, bush flying Medical Certification Challenges & AdaptationsColor vision deficiency discovery at age 16 during first medical examination created major career obstacle (09:16) Initial medical restriction: "not valid for night flight or color signals" threatened professional pilot aspirations Demonstrated ability waiver process required FAA flight examination demonstrating ability to distinguish aviation-relevant colors Testing requirements included: identifying plowed vs. unplowed fields, recognizing taxiway centerline lights, runway edge lights, beacon colors Airline career impact: even with eventual first-class medical clearance, airlines wouldn't hire pilots with any medical history complications Blessing in disguise outcome: forced exploration of diverse aviation opportunities including John Travolta corporate pilot work, competition aerobatics, P-51 flying Corporate Experience IntegrationMcKinsey consulting foundation provided comprehensive business function exposure across marketing, sales, finance, organizational strategy (05:58) High-tech specialization and sales/marketing focus opened door to Google global team leadership opportunity 14-year tenure built expertise in helping management teams improve business performance worldwide Diverse client experience across multiple industries and business functions created versatile skill set Google and Cisco leadership roles combined with continuous aviation involvement maintained dual expertise (12:51) Weekend flying commitment included teaching aerobatics at Bedford Airport's Executive Flyers Aviation Competition aerobatics involvement led to EAA board connections and industry networking P-51 flying experience enhanced aviation credibility and public profile AOPA Leadership Vision & QualificationsUnique qualification combination merged deep aviation passion with Fortune 500 business leadership experience (12:51) 200+ employee organization requires substantial business management capabilities Public speaking requirements for member events, donor relations, political advocacy, airport community relations Aviation credibility essential for representing pilot community interests and understanding operational challenges Advocacy experience needed for communicating aviation value to non-pilot stakeholders Current aircraft ownership maintains grassroots GA connection through Sea Ray amphibious aircraft and RV-6 ownership (15:11) Recent flying examples: Priest Lake, Idaho seaplane fly-in participation, formation flying with friends Backcountry flying engagement demonstrates continued hands-on small aircraft experience Cost-conscious operations understanding through Rotax-powered aircraft ownership Comprehensive Member Service PortfolioBase membership value proposition at $89 annually provides extensive pilot support services (20:40) Pilot Information Center staffing includes deep maintenance experts available for technical problem-solving International flight planning assistance covers Canada, Bahamas, and worldwide destinations with step-by-step guidance Aircraft purchasing support through aviation finance group connections and escrow service coordination Documentation and process guidance for complex aviation procedures and regulatory compliance Pilot Protective Services enhancement for additional $85 annually adds critical legal and medical advocacy (21:43) Medical packet review service ensures special issuance applications meet FAA requirements before submission Legal representation availability for FAA enforcement actions, violations, or incident responses Specialized expertise access for navigating complex regulatory interactions and protecting pilot certificates Risk mitigation approach prevents multi-month delays from incomplete FAA submissions Medical Certification Support & Modern ChallengesGrowing mental health certification complexity requires specialized AOPA medical services guidance (30:28) Young pilot medication history increasingly common for anxiety, depression, ADHD treatments during teenage years Historical automatic disqualification being replaced with thoughtful case-by-case evaluation by FAA Documentation requirements becoming more complex but achievable with proper preparation and advocacy Dr. Susan Northrup leadership as Federal Air Surgeon working to reduce special issuance backlogs Processing timeline improvements under current FAA medical leadership showing measurable progress (30:28) Six-month to one-year timelines still common for special issuance cases with complex medical histories Backlog reduction efforts ongoing but substantial volumes still creating extended wait times Professional pilot impact demonstrated through airline pilot medical deferral experiences requiring months of career uncertainty Legislative Advocacy & Infrastructure ProtectionAirport infrastructure comparison highlights US aviation system advantages over international counterparts (35:56) 5,000 public use airports in US with only 500 having control towers enables widespread GA access 3,500 airports with instrument approaches create weather-independent national transportation network Germany comparison: only towered airports permitted instrument approaches, severely limiting utility aviation European model limitations restrict general aviation to VFR-only operations at uncontrolled airports ATC privatization opposition based on international precedent analysis and stakeholder influence concerns (33:32) User fee implementation in privatized systems creates barriers to flight training, safety practices, and airport utilization Airline influence concentration through deeper financial resources shapes privatized ATC board decisions Airspace allocation shifts favor commercial operations over general aviation access and utility Safety degradation risks from reduced flight training frequency due to per-operation fee structures Educational Programs & Future Pilot DevelopmentHigh school aviation program expansion reaching 30,000 students across 1,500 schools nationwide (23:49) Four-year curriculum structure provided free to participating schools regardless of economic constraints Teacher training programs enable non-pilot educators to deliver aviation content effectively Career pathway diversification beyond traditional airline pilot focus to include corporate, firefighting, medevac, bush flying opportunities Professional development support helps students understand aviation industry breadth and alternative career paths Pilot shortage solution approach emphasizes local flight school importance over centralized training facilities (38:19) Military pilot percentage decline requires civilian-trained pilot pipeline expansion for airline recruitment Local flight school network at thousands of airports provides distributed training capacity Airport closure threat directly impacts airline pilot production capability and national transportation infrastructure Member Engagement & Growth StrategyFlight instructor advocacy role critical for membership growth and student pilot introduction to AOPA services (45:41) Historical membership introduction pattern: CFIs recommended AOPA alongside essential equipment and educational materials Current engagement decline among flight instructors requires renewed education about AOPA value proposition Student pilot free membership for six months provides risk-free introduction to organization benefits Career-long value proposition extends beyond private pilot training through professional aviation transitions Public advocacy responsibility for aviation community members to educate non-pilot population about airport importance (47:55) Medical evacuation services utilizing local airports for emergency patient transport Firefighting operations depend on airport infrastructure for aerial suppression activities Economic development impact through business aviation supporting local employment and commerce Pilot training pipeline at local airports directly feeds airline industry personnel requirements

    51min

  7. 18 DE AGO.

    E175 - Pre-Solo Pitfalls & Prep

    Do you have a solo coming up soon?  Check out this week's episode and grab some great tips and tricks to make sure you're prepared for your big day!

    34min

  8. 4 DE AGO.

    E174 - Oshkosh Recap & MOSAIC

    This week we look back on our incredible week at Oshkosh 2025 and talk about the brand new MOSAIC program, and what it means for you as an aviator!

    35min
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Sobre

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.

Informações

  • Criado por
    Bobby Doss, Wally Mulhearn
  • Anos de atividade
    2020 - 2025
  • Episódios
    186
  • Classificação
    Livre
  • Copyright
    © 2021 Behind the Prop
  • Site do podcast
    Behind the Prop

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