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Behind the Prop

Behind the Prop

Bobby Doss, Wally Mulhearn 207 episodes Nov 2, 2026

Behind the Prop is a podcast for aviation enthusiasts, from general aviation hobbyists to professional pilots. Hosted by Bobby Doss, owner of a flight school in Houston, Texas, and Wally Mulhearn, an airline pilot and designated pilot examiner, the show shares stories, lessons, and tips from their extensive experience. With over 24,400 combined hours of flight time, they offer unique perspectives on general aviation, airplanes, and all things related to flying.

Episodes

E206 - The Invisible System Keeping You Alive
E206 - The Invisible System Keeping You Alive Nov 2, 2026 33:44 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 shro
E205 - I Knew the Rule, The Pilot Who Walked Into a Running Prop
E205 - I Knew the Rule, The Pilot Who Walked Into a Running Prop Oct 19, 2026 43:18 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 rout
E204 - What does that BLUE KNOB actually do?
E204 - What does that BLUE KNOB actually do? Oct 5, 2026 42:34 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 b
E203 - Ask the DPE - Part II
E203 - Ask the DPE - Part II Sep 21, 2026 47:22 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 ch
E202 - Ask the DPE - Part I
E202 - Ask the DPE - Part I Sep 7, 2026 40:30 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
E201 - The First Five Minutes
E201 - The First Five Minutes Aug 24, 2026 46:03 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
E200 - The Flight Before the Flight
E200 - The Flight Before the Flight Aug 10, 2026 35:39 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 c
E199 - The Dirty Dozen
E199 - The Dirty Dozen Jul 27, 2026 35:58 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
E198b - Oshkosh Dispatch
E198b - Oshkosh Dispatch Jul 20, 2026 08:54 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
E198 - True, False, or It Depends
E198 - True, False, or It Depends Jul 13, 2026 41:35 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 de
E197 - From Early Lessons to Cross-Country Weather: A Pilot's Journey
E197 - From Early Lessons to Cross-Country Weather: A Pilot's Journey Jun 29, 2026 42:53 In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn dive into the full pilot journey, starting with the critical early lessons for student pilots and moving all the way through those pivotal first hundred hours after earning your certificate. They break down common red flags like poor preparation, attitude issues, and lack of consistency that can derail training, while sharing practi
E196 - The Soft Skills That Actually Make Great Flight Instructors
E196 - The Soft Skills That Actually Make Great Flight Instructors Jun 15, 2026 51:59 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 intelligen

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