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.
"We're card-carrying members of overthinkers an...
55 min
77
"I'm a choir boy in the church of lean of peak"
54 min
78
"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
79
Live from Airventure 2022
41 min
80
"I'm a reformed shock cooling worrier"
46 min
81
"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
82
"Use the TLAR system. That looks about right"
50 min
83
"Your airplane may look like the molting hide o...
48 min
84
"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
85
"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
86
"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
87
"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
88
"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
89
"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
90
"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
91
"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
92
"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
93
"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
94
"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
95
"I don't see anything that makes me want to att...
This month Mike, Paul, and Colleen cover the basics of oil analysis, corrosion proofing, fuel selector play, how to pick an overhaul shop, and prop people. Send questions to podcasts@aopa.org.
53 min
96
'If it moves, squirt it with something'
This month Mike, Paul, and Colleen tackle a number of questions about oil. Where it should be, where it shouldn't be, and why it isn't where you last added it. Plus, a jet pilot is grounded by tires.
46 min
97
'We just saved your engine'
This month Mike, Paul, and Colleen delve into must versus should. Must you open all those inspection ports, is the prop and governor overhaul mandatory, and should one owner retorque his cylinder after a re-installation mistake? Send your questions to...
49 min
98
"Did you float the dog?"
This month Mike, Colleen, and Paul revisit sticky valves, diagnose shimmy dampers, give a bit of career advice, and talk about what right looks right on throttle response. Plus, silly pilot tricks with animals! Send your questions to podcasts@aopa.org
55 min
99
'I went to the church of lean of peak'
Mike, Paul, and Colleen talk about why lean of peak is so beneficial. Also, the hosts tackle questions on sticky valves, how to properly break in an engine, oil consumption, and more.
43 min
100
'You're not going to fall out of the sky becaus...
Snake oil, cranky turbochargers, oil issues, camshaft rust, and more in this month's episode. Plus, a new owner tries to stump Mike, Paul, and Colleen on propeller rpm checks.