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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
Cessna 210
Oil Consumption
Tires

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 monthlyEpisodes107Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationLeisureHow To

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Latest Episodes

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

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... more

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

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 ... 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

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 440 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 Statesa month 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
    Australiaa month 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 States2 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 States4 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 States7 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
#178
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#138
Philippines/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#198
Israel/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#218
South Africa/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"Too much data is a bad thing"
Q: The caller Jay asks whether an overhaul is worth it versus selective repairs on an experimental engine.
The group suggests that an overhaul is most valuable if the aircraft will be kept long-term and value alignment justifies the cost; otherwise, fixing what's broken can be more economical, especially if many components do not need replacement.
"Too much data is a bad thing"
Q: Our first question is from Norm, who wonders if condition-focused maintenance failed him.
The panel agrees that some issues are subtle and that trend monitoring requires looking at the right tests over time; if a failure would not have impacted safety, it might not have been obvious in standard monitoring, but thorough trend analysis and targeted inspections can reveal issues before they become critical.
"TBO is not a reason to do anything to an engine"
Q: Eric asks how to interpret an engine oil analysis report and how it impacts the decision to overhaul.
The hosts explain that oil consumption alone, especially with persistent high consumption, does not automatically justify an overhaul; misfiring cylinders, ignition issues, and fuel metering can cause symptoms that mimic deeper engine problems, and owners should pursue targeted diagnostics like spark plug testing, mag checks, and specific cylinder inspections before considering overhauls.
"If you lose a cylinder in your Cessna 150 you are down on a road somewhere"
Q: What resources are available for rusty A&Ps to refresh their skills?
The hosts point to the Savvy IA refresher course, which covers FARs, borescopes, engine data interpretation, and troubleshooting modules, and note Wings credit is being pursued for pilots.
"Am I doing anything evil?"
Q: Peter asks about carbon deposits on intake valves and whether wobble tests or other inspections should be performed, and what the best course of action is if deposits look alarming.
They suggest that intake-valve coke is typically not dangerous if there is no loss of performance, recommend wobble testing to diagnose guides and potential leakage, and emphasize avoiding unnecessary invasive actions if the engine is otherwise functioning well; advise leaving deposits alone unless there is evidence of a problem.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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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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How many subscribers and views does Ask the A&Ps have?

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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 107 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. Todd Boyland

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