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.
76
"Pop that cowling off and squirt away"
New engines, prop stops, and warbirds
64 min
77
"This is a classic infant mortality failure"
Digging deep into two new important ADs, engine monitors, and more
70 min
78
"The airplane looks like it's having brain surg...
55 min
79
"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
80
"There are critters living in there"
58 min
81
"You have two options and a top overhaul isn't ...
Morning sickness, slow Skyhawks, supply chain problems, and more
61 min
82
"All engines deserve an engine monitor in their...
51 min
83
"We're card-carrying members of overthinkers an...
55 min
84
"I'm a choir boy in the church of lean of peak"
54 min
85
"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
86
Live from Airventure 2022
41 min
87
"I'm a reformed shock cooling worrier"
46 min
88
"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
89
"Use the TLAR system. That looks about right"
50 min
90
"Your airplane may look like the molting hide o...
48 min
91
"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
92
"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
93
"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
94
"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
95
"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
96
"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
97
"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
98
"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
99
"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
100
"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