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Engineering Division

Aeronautics

Fighters flyover terrazzo

Supports cadets, the Air Force, and the world through studies in aerodynamics, flight mechanics, propulsion, aircraft structures, and experimental methods.

About Us

Since its inception, the U.S. Air Force Academy has been a major contributor to technological developments and the security of the United States through aerospace studies. More than 60 years later, the Department of Aeronautics continues to support cadets, the Air Force, and the world through a variety of studies in aerodynamics, flight mechanics, propulsion, aircraft structures, and experimental methods. Cadets interested in Aeronautical Engineering have two-course design sequences to choose from—aircraft design or aircraft engine design.

The Aeronautical Engineering and Systems Engineering majors are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Aeronautics Faculty and Staff
Final Zoom Flight

Learn more about the artifacts on permanent display at the Department of Aeronautics facility from the final Aerospace Research Pilot School (ARPS) F-104 Zoom flight conducted on Nov. 30, 1973.

Pilot getting into plane F-104 Zoom flight Pilot in front of jet

Majors & Minors

Aeronautical Engineering (Major)
Aeronautical Engineering
(Major)
Systems Engineering – Aeronautics Depth (Co-Administered Major)
Systems Engineering – Aeronautics Depth
(Co-Administered Major)
General Engineering (Divisional Major)*
General Engineering
(Divisional Major)*

*Restrictions Apply

Department News News From Around The Department

January 14, 2026

Cadet 1st Class Skeen Earns Holaday Scholarship for Oxford Studies

Cadet 1st Class Alexandra Skeen, Class of 2026, will pursue two years of graduate studies at Oxford University, England, as the recipient of the Holaday Scholarship. By U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Alexandra Skeen, Class of 2026, has been selected for the Holaday Scholarship, a fully-funded, two-year postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. “Cadet Skeen’s selection as a Holaday Scholar is a testament to her exceptional character and the world-class mentorship provided by our faculty, staff, coaches, and command teams,” said U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent...

Continue Reading Cadet 1st Class Skeen Earns Holaday Scholarship for Oxford Studies

Cadet 1st Class Alexandra Skeen, Class of 2026, will pursue two years of graduate studies at Oxford University, England, as the recipient of the Holaday Scholarship.
January 2, 2025

Cadet 1st Class Luca Valenti selected for Holaday Scholarship

Cadet 1st Class Luca Valenti will pursue two years of graduate studies at Exeter College at Oxford University in Oxford, England, as the recipient of the 2024 Holaday Scholarship. U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Luca Valenti, Class of 2025, has been selected for the Holaday Scholarship, a fully-funded 2-year postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. After graduating from the Academy in 1965, Bart Holaday spent two years as a Rhodes Scholar at Exeter College at Oxford University. He and his late wife, Lynn, created the Holaday...

Continue Reading Cadet 1st Class Luca Valenti selected for Holaday Scholarship

Cadet 1st Class Luca Valenti will pursue two years of graduate studies at Exeter College at Oxford University in Oxford, England, as the recipient of the 2024 Holaday Scholarship.
December 16, 2024

The powered flight journey to become aviators

Cadet 3rd Class Emilie Tedeschi completes her pre-flight check in the T-53 Kadet II on the Davis Airfield flightline at the U.S. Air Force Academy, July 30, 2024. The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Powered Flight Program introduces cadets to motorized aircraft and provides a foundation of flight mechanics and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – At the U.S. Air Force Academy, cadets develop the skills they will need to become winning warfighters and exceptional aviators. Through the Powered Flight Program, cadets transform into...

Continue Reading The powered flight journey to become aviators

Cadet 3rd Class Emilie Tedeschi completes her pre-flight check in the Cirrus T-53 Kadet II on the Davis Airfield flightline.
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