Tom Yechout is a Professor of Aeronautical Engineering at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He earned his Doctor of Engineering degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Kansas and is an AIAA Fellow. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the NASA Outstanding Achievement Award, Frank J. Seiler Award for Research Excellence, and the Heiser Award as the Outstanding USAFA Senior Faculty Educator. He was also honored by the Carnegie Foundation as the 2011 Colorado Professor of the Year. His background includes development and flight testing of the F/FB-111, A-7D, F-4E, and Lear 35 aircraft as well as extensive experience with the A-10. In addition, he has served as the principal investigator for numerous wind tunnel investigation programs, holds the patent for the Rakelet wing tip modification concept, and has authored over 200 technical publications.