Ask the A&Ps artwork

Leisure · AOPA

Ask the A&Ps

by AOPA

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.

Chart trend

Position in the Leisure chart (US), last 90 days.

#48
all-time peak
2
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Live from AirVenture 2026, Session 2

Join Mike, Paul, and Colleen for a second live session from EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh 2026 as they are try to answer the audience's most pressing maintenance questions.

Sep 1
36 min

Live from AirVenture 2026

Join Mike, Paul, and Colleen as they take questions live from the audience at the AOPA tent at EAA AirVenture 2026.

Aug 15
31 min

"We're in the twenty-first century here folks"

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

Aug 1
45 min

"Your mechanic feels worse than you do"

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 larges

Jul 15
48 min

"It's in your head"

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. Jo

Jul 1
52 min

"I always try to buy high and sell low"

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

Jun 15
49 min

"Too much data is a bad thing"

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 lar

Jun 1
50 min

"TBO is not a reason to do anything to an engine"

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. J

May 15
57 min

"If you lose a cylinder in your Cessna 150 you are down on a road somewhere"

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 large

May 1
50 min

"Am I doing anything evil?"

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 avia

Apr 15
57 min

"That installation is fraught with peril"

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 sho

Apr 1
53 min

"I'm an old mechanic and really like the idea of priming and painting"

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

Mar 15
49 min

"That's an oft-reported myth"

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 comm

Mar 1
49 min

“Is this like pulling a mattress tag off?”

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

Feb 15
54 min

"The owner can't do maintenance because the owner doesn't have arms"

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'

Feb 4
50 min

"You're going to give him nightmares"

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 o

Jan 15
56 min

"He has a piston with a smiley face on it that's not very happy"

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 chanc

Jan 1
42 min

"Just be sure you lube it with something"

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

Dec 15 2025
44 min

"If you go to 76 percent, the wings will fall off"

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 th

Dec 1 2025
51 min

"It's one of the few accidents where you get to choose where it happens"

Mike, Paul, and Colleen dig deep for some detailed troubleshooting on digital fuel indicators, oil temperature, gear problems, and more this episode. Send your question

Nov 15 2025
52 min

Chart positions

Where Ask the A&Ps ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 7, 2026).

#119 ▼ 9 Leisure US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

Through typical pilot training programs, we tend to spend substantial time and effort on maneuvers and other key aspects of flight but spend very little time on understanding the engine and other mechanical aspects the aircraft. This podcast is extremely helpful for filling that gap, particularly for the owner/pilot.

daveike-n813ps · Jul 2024

So, my kryptonite is maintenance, but after finding your show, I have a new interest. The three of you complement each other so well, and I have learned so much from listening! I have quite a few back recordings to catch up on, but thankfully, I have an hour commute to work. Thank you for what you do! Plus, now I have a few books I need to order thanks to Mike!

Pilotwithoutaplane · May 2024

I passed my PPL check ride and purchased a plane less than a year ago. Mike, Paul, and Colleen, have been extremely helpful for movitaing me to find an owner maintenance-friendly IA, install an engine monitor, and fly LOP. I look forward to each new episode!

looth · Jan 2023

I am not an airplane person and know nothing about them, but these 3 hosts keep me entertained and engaged! I love listening to them talk about their field of expertise.

ccelliott15 · Nov 2022

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