Ask the A&Ps
Experts Mike Busch, Paul New, and Colleen Sterling answer your toughest aviation maintenance questions. Submit questions to podcasts@aopa.org. New episodes are released the first and fifteenth of every month.
51
"This is a classic infant mortality failure"
Digging deep into two new important ADs, engine monitors, and more
70 min
52
"The airplane looks like it's having brain surg...
55 min
53
"You may have to go to a different shop"
Convincing an owner not to euthanize his engine, super cold cylinders, and fun with oxygen
50 min
54
"There are critters living in there"
58 min
55
"You have two options and a top overhaul isn't ...
Morning sickness, slow Skyhawks, supply chain problems, and more
61 min
56
"All engines deserve an engine monitor in their...
51 min
57
"We're card-carrying members of overthinkers an...
55 min
58
"I'm a choir boy in the church of lean of peak"
54 min
59
"I don't have a baby monitor on the engine"
Mike, Paul, and Colleen discuss hot cylinders, leaning technique, and lots of lightbulbs used in testing.
47 min
60
Live from Airventure 2022
41 min
61
"I'm a reformed shock cooling worrier"
46 min
62
"EGTs are imaginary numbers"
Oil all over the nose, cylinders that are too clean, and bush propeller repairs. Mike, Paul, and Colleen handle it all this month.
42 min
63
"Use the TLAR system. That looks about right"
50 min
64
"Your airplane may look like the molting hide o...
48 min
65
"We don't check the accuracy of your fuel gauges"
Mike, Paul, and Colleen deal with an annual that's gone south, oil loss and temperature issues, and insight into why we use the mixture to stop our engines
53 min
66
"You'll ruin a set of clothes for sure"
The hosts solve oil and fuel leaks, battery questions, and give advice to a new owner
54 min
67
"It's not our job to be the safety police"
This month Mike, Paul, and Colleen tackle everything from metal in the oil filter to reporting someone to the FAA.
53 min
68
"That little cap doesn't hold the wings on"
Ever wonder what you're looking for when you preflight a Cessna with those small oil doors? So did our caller this month. Mike, Paul, and Colleen also field questions about a burned valve, winterizing for cold-weather ops, how to do an in-flight...
43 min
69
"Only a CFI would ask a question like that"
This month Mike, Paul, and Colleen dive into questions about valve failures, tracking engine times, aging engine accessories, and worrying cylinder head temperatures. Plus, a question that could only come from an instructor. Full notes below: John is...
50 min
70
"Compression readings are garbage"
This month Mike, Paul, and Colleen tackle everything from radio gremlins to the big questions of aviation, such as an overall maintenance philosophy and the reliability of our aircraft. Send your questions to for a chance to get on the show....
61 min
71
"Why can't we do something simple like clone an...
This month Mike, Paul, and Colleen tackle questions big and small. A pilot wonders why aircraft engines are so expensive, a young student knows there must be a better way to clean an airplane, and owners tackle concerns over increasing compressions,...
49 min
72
"There's no free lunch in aviation"
Broken rocker arms, metal shards in the valve cover, and oil in the cylinder, oh my. This month Mike, Paul, and Colleen focus on listener engine problems, give some guidance on mods for an experimental builder, and bust an oversquare myth. Submit your...
43 min
73
"An oil filter inspection is non-invasive, unle...
A savvy owner wonders how to trust her airplane with no logbooks, a Cessna pilot is curious if he's getting all the power he paid for, and Mike, Paul, and Colleen tackle an unruly governor. Send your questions to podcasts@aopa.org
49 min
74
"About the half the time, reported cracked cyli...
This episode Mike, Paul, and Colleen debate shock cooling, help an owner set his stall warning tab, debunk unapproved equipment myths, give an owner advice on breaking in new cylinders, and more. Submit your questions to podcasts@aopa.org
50 min
75
"Heavy detonation is normally a self-correcting...
This month owners look to settle arguments with their mechanics over tire wear and avionics glitches, one pilot tries to determine myth from reality on keeping fuel tanks topped off, a pilot learns his oil pressure problem isn't a problem, and Mike,...
42 min