Dr. Ken Van Treuren is a 1977 USAF Academy graduate and retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel. With an M.S. from Princeton University and PhD from Oxford, Ken is a renowned expert in gas turbine engines. He’s a Command Pilot with over 3600 hours, including trainers, fighters, and cargo aircraft. He also holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating. Ken taught at the USAF Academy and won the Department of Aeronautics’ “Outstanding Military Educator Award.” He also taught for the USAF Test Pilot School and is currently a Professor & Associate Dean at Baylor University, where he was recognized with an “Outstanding Teacher Award”. Ken also won the national SAE Teetor Educational Award in recognition of his contributions to teaching, research, and student development. In April 2022, he was awarded the Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year Award for Baylor University. Ken brings his insights and enthusiasm as a pilot/educator into the classroom to make gas turbine propulsion come “alive”. He has over 110 conference and journal papers in the education and gas turbine fields.
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.