Image Credit: Col Doug “Beaker” Wickert
On April 27th, Keith spent two hours with the USAFA’s Dept of Aeronautics (DFAN) senior cadets in the engine design capstone course as they presented a dry run of their final briefing. On May 4th, they will travel to CT to brief engineers and managers at Pratt & Whitney (P&W), who have supported this activity for over 20 years running.
Typical of past years, these cadets displayed a remarkable fundamental understanding of aircraft and engine system considerations as well as preliminary design of the engine and engine components. The undergraduate propulsion program in DFAN is second to none and rivals that at the graduate level of many universities…the annual P&W feedback provides excellent external validation.
In a little more than a month, these young men and women will earn their undergrad degrees and be commissioned second lieutenants in our USAF! Most will be pilots, some engineers. Practical Aero has proud roots both in the AF and DFAN, and we are especially proud of and thankful for these soon-to-be officers and their decision to serve!