~ cueing up the show ~
~ pulling every episode ~
Ask the A&Ps — Every episode — OmList
om
list
Swipe
Tournament
Lists
Friends
All
Movies
TV
Books
Games
Music
Podcasts
People
▾
Sign in
Every episode
Ask the A&Ps
30 episodes
Live from AirVenture 2026
Aug 15, 2026 · 32 min
Join Mike, Paul, and Colleen as they take questions live from the audience at the AOPA tent at EAA AirVenture 2026.
"We're in the twenty-first century here folks"
Aug 1, 2026 · 45 min
Which oil is best, where is the oil going, running lean of peak with a carb, and how to fly a turbo are on tap for this episode. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: Chris' American Champion Super Decathlon has an oil consumption issue. While his engine was apart after a prop strike the cylinders were honed, and he broke it in properly. He has since replaced cylinders, broke it again, and i…
"Your mechanic feels worse than you do"
Jul 15, 2026 · 49 min
A fidgety fuel problem, octane ratings, and water in the oil are on tap for this episode. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to be on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: Gareth has a turbo Arrow and he's been fighting a problem with fluctuation fuel flow. Sometimes the engine quits on the ground or runs rough in the air. They've checked the fuel spider, fixed intake leaks, overhauled the fuel pump, an exhaust leak, and much more. Paul is con…
"It's in your head"
Jul 1, 2026 · 53 min
Very cold cylinders, sort of warm cylinders, turbochargers, and pressurized mags are on tap for this episode. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: Bill has a Cessna 182S with the Lycoming IO-540 and he has a temperature issue with his number 2 cylinder. Climbing out at full rich he would back up the mixture a bit at 1,000 or 2,000 feet and the CHT would climb to about 405. By going full ric…
"I always try to buy high and sell low"
Jun 15, 2026 · 49 min
Carbon monoxide, kickbacks, avionics upgrades, and leaning radials are on tap. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to be on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: Bill has a Cessna 210 and in climb he gets 50-100 ppm on his CO gauge. When he levels and goes lean of peak it goes back to normal. He's also noticed that if he puts the heat on he also doesn't have a high reading on his gauge. It's not from a hole in the firewall, Paul says. The most…
"Too much data is a bad thing"
Jun 1, 2026 · 51 min
Worn intake valves, pitted camshafts, shock cooling, and AD compliance are on the docket. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: Norm wonders whether condition-based maintenance and inspections failed him. He is co-owners in an airplane with a Lycoming IO-360, and after a few years they found a crack in the crankcase. The engine was torn down and found to have some rust on the cylinder walls, scoring…
"TBO is not a reason to do anything to an engine"
May 15, 2026 · 58 min
Rising temperatures, unnecessary overhauls, unusual rigging, and ancient cloth in the wheel well are featured. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join
"If you lose a cylinder in your Cessna 150 you are down on a road somewhere"
May 1, 2026 · 51 min
Sticky valves, sleepy valves, and valves destined for the trash are on tap this episode. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: Mac is trying to get a cylinder to wake up on his Piper Lance. The engine ran rough, and a magneto clearing procedure didn't help. The number 5 cylinder was dropping off according to the engine monitor. It's also next to the turbocharging exhaust. His A&P thought may…
"Am I doing anything evil?"
Apr 15, 2026 · 57 min
Avoiding maintenance can be a good thing when what's recommended is unnecessary. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: Dominick is questioning his mechanic's advice on prop overhauls. He has a Cessna 310 and his left rpm is too low on approach when the control is full forward. It's not an issue on the ground or on takeoff. His mechanic recommends overhauling the propeller, and since he's doing one h…
"That installation is fraught with peril"
Apr 1, 2026 · 54 min
How much should a mechanic tell a client during an annual? Mike, Paul, and Colleen handle this question and more. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: Justin flies a Twin Bonanza and cylinder 5 on his left engine takes as much as a minute to fire up and start running. It comes online fastest if he goes very lean quickly after starting. He's pulled the valve cover and springs off, and it's not a sti…
"I'm an old mechanic and really like the idea of priming and painting"
Mar 15, 2026 · 49 min
Quick corrosion, long-lasting engines, and mobility mods are on tap for this episode. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: Patrick is looking for the right fit on a potential aircraft purchase. He had a shoulder replacement and lost some mobility in his right shoulder. He’s wondering if he could get an accommodation on things like flap controls. Paul suggests he look for an older Cessna wit…
"That's an oft-reported myth"
Mar 1, 2026 · 50 min
Is going past TBO more expensive? Plus fuel vents and turbocharger temps. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: Mike wonders if running past TBO actually costs more. He has a Mooney and has heard that overhauls far beyond TBO can cost more as a result of having to replace more parts. That is an oft-reported myth, Mike says. The only things that can cause an up charge on most field overhauls…
“Is this like pulling a mattress tag off?”
Feb 15, 2026 · 55 min
What exactly should we be looking for in our cylinders? Plus torque tales, making TBO, and overzealous manufacturers. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full show notes below: Jared asks what he should be looking for with his borescope. He’s seen bad valves and what that looks like, but he’s also hoping to see what bad scoring and other things. Colleen stresses to focus on what goes wrong with a cylinder, and bein…
"The owner can't do maintenance because the owner doesn't have arms"
Feb 4, 2026 · 50 min
The definitive guide to owner maintenance, slipping starter adapters, and close CHT tolerances. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join
"You're going to give him nightmares"
Jan 15, 2026 · 56 min
Creative leaning techniques, rusty cylinders, and odd manifold pressure indications are on tap this time. Send your questions to podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join
"He has a piston with a smiley face on it that's not very happy"
Jan 1, 2026 · 43 min
Old engines, rusty airplanes, and a strange valve incident are the puzzlers for Mike, Paul, and Colleen this episode. Send your questions to podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: John has a Beech Musketeer who had an unusual situation with his valve. The valve seat separated from the cylinder barrel and dropped down, striking the piston crown. He's wondering if he did anything to cause this, despi…
"Just be sure you lube it with something"
Dec 15, 2025 · 44 min
Pre-emptive engine overhauls, upgrading an old electrical system, spark plug anti-seize, and old wood wing concerns are on tap for this episode. Send your questions to podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: Lance inherited some furniture that had lived in the Midwest for 200 years, and began splitting after only a few years after he moved to Salt Lake City. He's wondering if the same concern would…
"If you go to 76 percent, the wings will fall off"
Dec 1, 2025 · 51 min
A creative modification, lean of peak with turbocharging, electronic ignition, and oil leaks are on tap. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: Tom has a turbocharged Mooney and he's wondering how to manage it while lean of peak. The hosts say the first goal is to get on the lean side quickly, and then fine tune once there. They argue you can hear and feel when you're lean of peak, which is how you c…
"It's one of the few accidents where you get to choose where it happens"
Nov 15, 2025 · 52 min
Mike, Paul, and Colleen dig deep for some detailed troubleshooting on digital fuel indicators, oil temperature, gear problems, and more this episode. Send your questions to podcast@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: Will's fuel indicators are giving off infrequent red Xs on his Garmin G1000, and it started happening right after maintenance. Paul is suspect that a mechanic caused it, especially because you have…
"Being an aircraft owner is the hardest job in aviation"
Nov 1, 2025 · 51 min
From maintaining aircraft records to dealing with bad advice and sub-standard parts, Mike, Paul, and Colleen say being an aircraft owner is one of the hardest jobs in aviation. Email your questions to podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: Randy wants to know if circuit breakers have a life limit. He has a Mooney with about 3,000 hours. He had one that was acting up, and was wondering if he should intentio…
"That's an urban legend"
Oct 15, 2025 · 50 min
What's in our oil, how to keep cool (and warm), and lean of peak are on tap for this episode. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: Mark flies a 182 and he read on a forum that the reason we've had so much spalling of lifters is because they took zinc out of the oil. Mike said this rumor has been going around for years, but doesn't make sense considering zinc was never in aviation oil. It's…
"More time to fly, less time to turn wrenches"
Oct 1, 2025 · 49 min
In this episode, Mike, Paul, and Colleen discuss unnecessary maintenance, lean of peak, and flaming exhausts! Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: Mitchell has a Cessna 185 and he's wondering if it's smart to change out the rotocoils on his engine at some pre-determined point in order to avoid uneven heat patterns on his exhaust valves. Paul, despite having done this, advises him to boresco…
"You have a lot of splaining to do"
Sep 17, 2025 · 53 min
Gotchas and head-scratchers are the theme this episode, as Mike, Paul, and Colleen help an owner with a pitted camshaft, an inop instrument, a faulty vacuum line, and ops procedures. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: Mike had two airplanes over the past 10 years with crankshaft pitting, despite regularly flying, hangaring, and using an engine dehydrator. He's wondering if there's anythin…
"Mechanics can be ornery sometimes"
Sep 1, 2025 · 57 min
How do you fix a fix? Mike, Paul, and Colleen explore STC challenges, including parts, wrong installations, and ADS-B that isn't working. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org Full notes below: Barat has a Cirrus SR22 with an STC air conditioner. The driveshaft recently broke and he’s wondering how to fix it. Some mechanics he’s spoken to won’t use alternative parts, but others will. Mike said it’s not unlike altering the…
Live from Airventure 2025
Aug 22, 2025 · 45 min
Mike, Paul, and Colleen are in the hot seat as they answer live audience questions from Airventure 2025. We'll be back with our regular show next time. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join
"That'd be like putting grease on the road"
Aug 1, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
How to tell the difference between greases? Mike, Paul, and Collen break it down, plus high lean of peak temps, breaking in an engine on an experimental, and composite airframe cracks. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to be on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: Mark wants to make sure he’s clear on which grease to use for which application. The manuals call for specific greases, but there are allowances for those with equivalent s…
"That's one way to flat spot a tire"
Jul 15, 2025 · 42 min
Mike, Paul, and Colleen explain why they almost never set their parking brakes. Plus, valve guide concerns and gotchas on preflight. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to be on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: William wants to know how Mike, Paul, and Colleen do preflight inspections as A&Ps, and if they look at something that most pilots don’t. Colleen said she always checks the last thing she worked on. She suggests to look really caref…
"An airplane with no engine is worth nothing"
Jul 1, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Oil is everywhere this time, with consumption and temperatures problems for three of our owners. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: Mark has a Twin Comanche and is loving his new electronic ignition. He has an issue where oil temperature and CHTs are slightly different on one engine than the other. His oil temperature also spiked on one climbout on a hot day, and he’s wondering what’s wrong. He’s…
"You have to cart mogas around like a homeless person"
Jun 15, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
A Cirrus with fluctuating fuel flow, de-injecting an engine, and fear of overhaul are on tap for this episode. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: Joe has a Maule with a 540 engine in it. The company has a mod to turn the engine to a carbureted version and he’s wondering about the legality of something like that. Paul said it happens in the 210 market. Whether it’s a good idea is another issue, th…
"You have license to go zorching around"
Jun 1, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
An owner wants to fly his engine after it sat for 7 years. Plus, prop strike at the shop, lean of peak, and break-in trouble. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to be on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full episode notes below: Rupert is having trouble breaking in his new cylinders. They have five hours and the temperatures are still trying to go above 420 degrees on departure. They’ve checked fuel flow and baffling. In a twist of irony he is causing his…
← Back to the show
