What happens when a tech executive with a passion for flying gets the chance to combine both worlds? In this episode of Behind the Prop, hosts Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhearn welcome Barry Knuttila, President and CEO of King Schools, to explore that exact story.

Barry recounts his early flying background, how a corporate collapse unexpectedly redirected his career, and the fateful moment he reached out to John and Martha King. That outreach led to a role as CTO during King Schools’ transition to the internet era, eventually growing into leadership of the company itself. Along the way, Barry earned advanced ratings, flew Falcons with John and Martha, and became a familiar on-camera instructor.

The discussion highlights King Schools’ unique ethos—authenticity, humility, and an unwavering focus on student success. Barry explains how listening to customer feedback and treating students like friends has guided the company from the days of shipping VHS tapes to today’s mobile-friendly apps, flashcards, and integrated flight school tools.

Listeners will hear about how the flight training industry has shifted from primarily self-paced, individual learning to ab initio, career-focused programs. Barry shares how King Schools has responded by expanding its B2B offerings for universities and flight schools while continuing to serve individual learners. The conversation also covers innovations in course design, the importance of breaking training into smaller, more consumable segments, and King Schools’ efforts to reduce checkride anxiety through immersive preparation courses.

From personal reflections on flying helicopters and biplanes for fun to insights on the future of aviation training, Barry’s perspective underscores both the timeless values and forward-looking vision that continue to shape King Schools. Whether you’re a student pilot, CFI, or aviation enthusiast, this episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for every stage of the journey.

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.