E177 - Mastering Energy Management for Approaches and Landings
In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and airline captain/DPE Wally Mulhearn dive deep into one of the most essential yet often overlooked aspects of flying—energy management during approaches and landings. They explore how pilots must constantly balance altitude, airspeed, and power to achieve stabilized, safe landings. Wally shares check ride insights and real-world airline techniques, while Bobby reflects on lessons from his early flying days, including porpoising landings and learning the importance of proper speeds. Together, they break down practical strategies, highlight common pitfalls like over-correcting or flying too fast, and emphasize building muscle memory for situational awareness. The conversation blends humor, experience, and clear teaching points, offering actionable advice for student pilots and seasoned aviators alike.
Behind the Prop · Wally Mulhearn, Bobby Doss
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Show Notes
Mastering energy management is one of the cornerstones of becoming a safe and confident pilot. In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn unpack the topic in detail, showing how altitude, airspeed, and power all work together as “energy assets” that must be carefully managed throughout every phase of flight—especially on approach and landing.
Drawing from countless check rides, Wally describes how many applicants fall into the trap of treating every descent as a power-off glide, when in reality, a controlled descent with power and speed can be safer and more effective. Bobby shares his own learning curve, including stories of fast landings and bounced touchdowns, underscoring why setting up a stabilized approach is non-negotiable. Together, they walk through rules of thumb for descent planning, techniques for recognizing if you’re high or low on base, and how instrument training can help sharpen a pilot’s “sight picture” of a standard glide path.
Listeners will hear practical guidance on the classic “pitch for airspeed, power for altitude” debate, and how those principles apply differently in cruise versus the landing phase. The duo also highlight the dangers of over-correction and porpoising, explaining why patience and small, measured inputs make all the difference. Wally’s mantra—“eyes moving fast, hands moving slow”—is a powerful takeaway for anyone working toward smoother, more confident landings.
The episode wraps with recommended resources like the Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA Risk Management Handbook, and the AIM, plus encouragement to practice energy management on challenging days with an instructor. Whether you’re a new student preparing for a checkride or an experienced pilot refining your technique, this discussion offers the tools to better understand and master the flow of energy in your aircraft.