Affectionately known by his students as “Dr. D”, Dale currently teaches undergraduate courses in Engineering Mechanics and Mechanics of Materials for the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University. Dr. Cope is a retired Air Force officer with over 20 years of experience in aircraft structures, as an engineer, instructor, and maintenance officer. His engineering experience spans the fields of design, liaison, and structural analysis. He worked in the research area of aircraft structural integrity, performing airworthiness evaluations on civilian and military aircraft ranging from general aviation commuter airplanes to large military transport and bomber aircraft. His practical experience included serving as the engineer on an aircraft battle damage repair team during Operation Desert Storm. Dale has held teaching positions for the Aeronautics department at the US Air Force Academy, the Aerospace Engineering department at Wichita State University, and the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He has taught a variety of courses ranging from Fundamentals of Aeronautics to Aerospace Structural Analysis and Design. His teaching experience includes conducting seminars on aircraft structural repair for practicing engineers from Air Logistics Centers, Air Force Laboratories, and the aircraft industry. Drawing from his practical experience as an engineer working for Boeing, the National Institute for Aviation Research, and Southwest Research Institute, Dale is able to relate complex engineering concepts to real world applications. He recently became an FAA certified Remote Pilot, and conducts aerial surveys for Texas A&M AgriLife Research using drones.
From a practical perspective, we teach introductory aeronautics and propulsion short courses to anyone working directly or indirectly in the field of aviation.
Why Take A Course with Practical Aero?
More than ever, today’s aircraft are complex systems requiring skilled professionals to combine their specific expertise into a fully integrated vehicle. The professionals who engineer, test, manufacture, and in any way support these aircraft are accomplished specialists, but often lack an overall understanding of the airplane system as a whole. Fundamental understanding of the airplane-engine system gives you improved ability to communicate more effectively and frame thinking beyond your area of expertise.