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Ask the A&Ps

AOPA
Aviation Maintenance
Aircraft Maintenance
FAA
General Aviation
AOPA
Engine Maintenance
Savvy Aviation
Prop Strikes
Aircraft Engine Performance
Savvy QA
Exhaust AD Compliance
Avionics
Retirement Of Aviation Experts
Engine Overhaul
Engine Management
Cessna 310 Turbo Q
Power Surges In Aircraft
Lycoming Engines
Oil Consumption
Cessna 210

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.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes110Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToEducationLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

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Latest Episodes

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

more

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 Arr... more

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 b... more

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 clim... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

David O'Leary
Host of There I Was (promo guest in cross-promotion)
AOPA
Episode: "It's in your head"
Todd Boyland
Owner of a 1980 Beechcraft Bonanza A36TC
Episode: "Don't split the case halves"

Hosts

Mike Busch
Host with deep experience in aviation maintenance and co-hosting; recognized authority on A&P IA topics.
Paul New
Co-host and aviation maintenance expert; provides practical engineering and troubleshooting guidance.
Colleen Sterling
Co-host and aviation maintenance expert; focuses on practical maintenance strategies and safety.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 443 ratings
  • Valuable Aviation Community Resource

    The hosts are a bonafied encyclopedia of verifiable aviation knowledge. Very good information for pilots and aircraft owners. The show is very helpful to anyone working or playing in aviation. I learn from the hosts with their sound troubleshooting techniques and proper perspective approach to aircraft maintenance. Take it from me, 70+ yrs old, owned C172, C182, C337, Robinson R-22HP. Owned FAA CRS 26 years and FAA Safety Inspector 20 years. The hosts and show are special and I would give most s... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mars Explore
    United States2 months ago
  • Essential listening for aircraft mechanics, owners and industry regulators

    Ask the A&P’s is a regular feature of my podcast schedule.

    Not only does it inform and educate, it’s got enough Click and Clack to it (NPR reference) that it’s a fun listen too.

    What it does best though is to remind us that data helps guide the diagnosis of a lot of problems and that less is often more when it comes to maintaining an aircraft.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    xthestreams
    Australia3 months ago
  • This is the Podcast All owners need

    Listening to this has helped me know what to do and what not to do!! These guys are the best!! Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gracie734
    United States3 months ago
  • Start from the beginning?

    About 6 months ago I listened to the two most recent episodes of Ask the A&Ps. I liked it so much and recognized the value of the info I was hearing, I immediately started listening from the very beginning of the series! I thoroughly enjoy the format and topics discussed. Thank you for everything.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TAWP Tool
    United States5 months ago
  • Good information

    There is so much folk lore, and old tom-foolery information in aviation, pilots especially, need sources of reality like this to set the record straight.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lew in Chicago
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value real-world troubleshooting guidance and expert perspectives.
The show is a practical, highly informative resource for GA maintenance.
Audience appreciates the balance of entertainment and technical depth.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#233
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#135
India/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#177
Saudi Arabia/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#224
Colombia/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#237
Philippines/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"It's in your head"
Q: Does the turbo remain naturally aspirated when the engine is off, and what about starting procedures at high density altitude?
The turbo is effectively idle until exhaust pressure builds and the wastegate opens after startup; starting hot or cold follows standard procedures with rich mixtures on cold starts and purging strategies for Continentals, plus the possibility of ground-lead lean considerations.
"Your mechanic feels worse than you do"
Q: Scott asks about drying out oil and dealing with morning sickness and related valve issues in a Lycoming-based engine.
The panel explains condensation and water in the crankcase after shutdown, discusses use of oil dehumidifier and CamGuard, describes wobble tests for exhaust valve guides, and provides procedural steps for cleaning and reseating valves to extend engine life.
"Your mechanic feels worse than you do"
Q: Scott asks about a safety wire alternative and whether FAA certification is required for the Bergen/DMC tool.
The hosts and Scott discuss minor alterations and FAA certification implications, conclude that using a safety wire tool is a minor alteration possibly permissible, and encourage checking with the authority while considering community usage and proper calibration of the tool.
"Your mechanic feels worse than you do"
Q: Matt asks about octane changes when switching to 91 octane auto fuel and whether ignition timing needs changing.
Experts explain that autofuel octane is not directly comparable to avgas octane, advise not to advance timing, note that higher octane reduces detonation risk, and discuss timing values for a Continental O-200 with an appropriate STC, concluding that the one-to-one octane relationship does not hold and timing adjustments are generally not recommended.
"Your mechanic feels worse than you do"
Q: First question from Gareth: what could be causing intermittent, rhythmic fuel flow fluctuations in a TSIO-360 Arrow, and how do we diagnose it?
Discussion focuses on possible air ingestion, hose/fitting leaks, upper-deck reference system issues, and the importance of rechecking the fuel system hardware and pressure references; the panel emphasizes testing for leaks, ensuring heat shields and upper-deck connections are intact, and considering vapor/air ingress as a key suspect, with a path toward methodical isolation of components.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Ask the A&Ps

What is Ask the A&Ps about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, story-driven show focused on aviation maintenance, engine management, and troubleshooting for general aviation aircraft. Episodes center on real-world questions from pilots and mechanics, with hands-on guidance, references to service bulletins, and a collaborative, no-nonsense tone among three seasoned hosts. Fans value actionable diagnostics, cost-conscious maintenance planning, and accessible explanations of complex topics like lean-of-peak operations, engine overhauls, and exhaust system issues. A notable strength is the consistent guest mix of experienced A&Ps and aviation enthusiasts, creating a sense of community and practical learning for owners, operators, and maintenance professionals alike.

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How many listeners does Ask the A&Ps get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Ask the A&Ps?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ask the A&Ps:

1. Hangar Talk - An Aviation News Podcast
2. "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast
3. AOPA Never Again
4. I Learned About Flying From That
5. Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

How many episodes of Ask the A&Ps are there?

Ask the A&Ps launched 6 years ago and published 110 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Ask the A&Ps?

Recent guests on Ask the A&Ps include:

1. David O'Leary
2. Todd Boyland

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