Behind the Prop

In this episode of Behind the Prop, hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn take on the one airplane system that can hurt you while it makes you feel better: cabin heat. Starting from a cold morning climbing out of Hooks with a toasty cabin, a little sleepiness and a headache, they walk through where the warm air really comes from in a Cessna 172, from the wing inlet and the cabin air flap to the shroud around the muffler, and why the heater warms outside air instead of piping exhaust into the cabin. Wally shares the two-paragraph heating and ventilation section from the Piper Tomahawk POH he bought after his first flying lesson in 1981, explains what a good checkride answer sounds like, and makes the case that reading the POH beats repeating what you heard around the flight school. They discuss why a crack hidden inside the shroud is the real concern, how inspections and A&P carbon monoxide checks during run-ups help catch problems, and a 2024 NTSB case in which a Mooney M20E pilot made a forced landing in a field after his two carbon monoxide detectors alerted. The hosts cover headache and drowsiness as warning signs, why an electronic CO monitor beats a spot card that has no alarm, and a simple flow for a suspected CO event: heat off, vents open, point toward the nearest suitable airport, tell ATC, and have a mechanic inspect the airplane even if you start feeling better.

In this episode of Behind the Prop, hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn welcome Samuel Couillard, a propeller strike survivor and human factors speaker from Quebec, Canada. Samuel recounts the events of September 19, 2015, when as a student pilot working toward his commercial certificate and employed as a lineman at the airport, he mistakenly walked into a running propeller after an otherwise routine flight. He describes the ordinary conditions that day, the momentary lapse that led to the incident, and the profound physical and personal changes that followed, including extensive injuries and a lengthy recovery process. The conversation emphasizes human factors in aviation such as complacency after gaining experience, the difference between knowledge and consistent safe behavior, the dangers of fatigue and distraction, and the critical importance of maintaining vigilance even after the flight appears complete. Samuel shares insights from his safety seminars, highlighting how even knowledgeable pilots can make errors when routines change or confidence increases, and he offers practical advice on building personal systems to prevent such mistakes. The hosts discuss passenger briefings, eye contact on the ramp, and the value of creating barriers against complacency to ensure everyone returns home safely.

Connect with Samuel Couillard:

Website: https://www.samuel-c.com/

Email: info@productionboka.com

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 final authority over instructor advice. They address checkride scenarios, common misconceptions like flying squared settings, oil leaks as engine emergencies, and the importance of using proper checklists rather than acronyms like GUMPS. The episode emphasizes understanding the full system for safe and efficient operations in complex aircraft like the Cessna 182T.

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.