Practical Aeronautics

From a practical perspective, we teach introductory aeronautics and propulsion short courses to anyone working directly or indirectly in the field of aviation.

PAI and USAF Academy, April 2021

By Jennifer Ellsworth

Keith with cadets at USAFA
Keith provides practical insights on turbine blade and disk design.

Former Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Academy’s Department of Aeronautics, Keith Boyer (Col, USAF retired), spent four hours this week working with cadet teams in the senior capstone aircraft engine design class as they prepare to present their work to Pratt & Whitney engineers and managers in two weeks. Three different cadet teams briefed their preliminary engine component designs for application to a low-cost, unmanned, attritable aircraft supporting an intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) mission. 

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PAI and Falcon AeroLab, November 2020

By Jennifer Ellsworth

John Norton had a blast with 6th and 7th grade students at Falcon AeroLab charter school in Colorado Springs this week. He spent time teaching fundamentals and students applied these concepts in their design and flight of balsa wood gliders.

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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.

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