Behind the Prop

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, emphasizing crew resource management and speaking up early. Applicants learn about checklist discipline as a critical factor, the value of accurate but not overly precise calculations like density altitude, and how decision-making skills are tested from the start. Wally shares insights on common failures, pet peeves with scheduling, and best recoveries after mistakes. The episode wraps with lightning round questions and advice for applicants the night before their checkride. Tune in for invaluable tips to succeed on your next checkride.

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 FTN, paperwork mistakes like missing logged ground school and class totals, dress and appearance expectations, pet peeves including answering the question directly, whether DPEs try to intimidate applicants, the meaning of questions like are you sure about that, open book orals, looking things up, maneuver tolerances per the ACS preamble, asking for breaks, and whether the DPE hopes applicants pass.

Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn open the episode by celebrating the milestone of reaching 201 shows and reflecting on listener engagement from Oshkosh and beyond. The main topic focuses on the first five minutes of flight, the phase where workload spikes as pilots manage engine start, avionics, passengers, and clearances before taxi. They stress the importance of sterile cockpit discipline once the engine is running to prevent distractions that can lead to incidents like runway excursions. Wally shares his approach to control checks before engine start and using checklists as verification tools rather than to-do lists. The conversation covers common checkride mistakes such as incomplete taxi readbacks that omit the assigned runway and failing to anticipate instructions by listening to other traffic. During the taxi to run-up phase, they highlight situational awareness in congested areas like the delta ramp at Hooks Airport and the value of positioning to allow space for others. Bobby outlines his three-part mental model of setup, decision point at run-up, and final go/no-go assessment while advocating for finding reasons not to fly rather than reasons to proceed. The takeoff decision includes the fifty-seventy rule for aborting if rotation speed is not achieved halfway down the runway and personal flows like lights, clocks, and fuel. In the initial climb they stress completing the after-takeoff checklist promptly to avoid configuration issues such as forgotten flap retraction. The episode closes with a listener challenge to develop and test a personal first-five-minutes flow along with a candid confession from Wally about once departing with a rudder gust lock still installed.

Bobby and Wally open the episode reflecting on recent experiences at Oshkosh, including social media feedback and a memorable interaction with a young aviation enthusiast whose parents are pilots. They then dive into the main topic of Episode 200, The Flight Before the Flight, stressing that most poor decisions occur during pre-flight preparation rather than in the air. The night-before sequence covers weather outlook briefings using multiple apps and 1-800-WX-BRIEF for human insight, verification of aircraft records especially for older experimental planes with modern avionics like G5 systems, fuel planning with extra margins beyond legal minimums, and self-assessment of fitness including illness or medication effects. On the morning of the flight they recommend re-evaluating forecasts against actual conditions observed outside and applying personal minimums that may differ by aircraft type such as the Saratoga versus a tailwheel. The hosts stress making these steps habitual through a simple card system and the PAVE checklist while inviting listener confessions about past decisions, shared personal minimums, and feedback on what they always check the night before. Wally adds insights from international flying on the importance of sleep management. They close by recommending the AOPA VFR personal minimums sheet and an ALPA Air Safety Institute case study called Fair Weather Flyer.

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.

Bobby and Wally share personal anecdotes, including stories about fuel checks during checkrides, the dangers of expectation bias, and real-world incidents like the Eastern Airlines Flight 401 crash caused by a distraction over a light bulb. They emphasize how these factors, including fatigue, pressure, lack of communication, and normalization of deviation, can cascade into problems for even experienced aviators.

To combat these traps, the hosts offer practical defenses such as setting personal minimums, chair flying, using checklists effectively, and maintaining situational awareness. They stress the importance of being prepared, honest with oneself, and continuously learning to avoid the Swiss cheese model of accidents. Listeners are encouraged to review the Dirty Dozen poster linked in the show notes.