Physics for aviators: A cross-college collaboration that connects physics to flight

How does an aircraft weighing tens of thousands of pounds lift off the runway and remain stable while climbing, turning or descending through turbulent air? The answer lies in physics — in the interplay of lift, weight, drag and thrust, and in how forces, pressure and rotation govern both aircraft motion and cockpit instrumentation.

Recognizing that traditional introductory physics courses were not always well aligned with the needs of aviation students, Auburn University’s Department of Physics in the College of Sciences and Mathematics and School of Aviation in the College of Liberal Arts partnered to develop a new, purpose-built course: PHYS 1400 – Physics for Aviators. The course presents core physics principles through aviation-specific contexts, directly connecting classroom learning to flight training and operational decision-making.

For students, that intentional alignment was a major draw.

“It seemed like it would be a good challenge for myself as a first-semester freshman,” said Laurence McTaggard, a sophomore professional flight major. “Additionally, I thought it would help give me a good background for my aviation coursework that would follow.”

The idea for the course originated in early discussions led by Dr. Allen Landers, chair of the Department of Physics, in collaboration with Dr. Jim Witte, then director of the School of Aviation. Those conversations established a shared goal: to create a physics course tailored specifically for aviation students that maintained conceptual rigor while aligning closely with the realities of flight.

Course development was led jointly by Dr. Mike Fogle of Physics and Aviation Lecturer Willie Billingslea. Drawing on his general aviation background and FAA private pilot required knowledge, Fogle helped shape the course content to ensure that physics principles were presented in ways directly relevant to flight training. Topics include the forces of flight, aircraft weight and balance, and the operation of gyroscopic and pressure-based instruments — framed within a broader understanding of fundamental physics.

Physics for Aviators was first offered in fall 2023 and has seen steady growth as it became integrated into the aviation curriculum. Enrollment increased from 24 students in the inaugural course to 30 in spring 2024, 49 in fall 2024, and 61 in spring 2025. By fall 2025, enrollment had reached 68 students, reflecting strong student demand and growing recognition of the course’s value.

That demand is driven in part by the course’s clear relevance to students’ everyday experiences as pilots-in-training.

“Although it is a required course for my major, I was excited for Physics for Aviators because I wanted a better grasp on the physics topics that affect my daily life,” said Madeleine Marlowe, a junior professional flight major. “Everything we learned had real-world applicability.”

The course received an important external endorsement in early 2024, when it was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of the academic requirements for the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certification. This approval allows graduates of Auburn’s aviation program to qualify for airline careers with fewer required flight hours, which is an important advantage at a time when the aviation industry faces a national pilot shortage.

Ariel Faulise, a senior professional flight major, said she was initially drawn to the course because of the R-ATP credit, but quickly saw its broader value.

“What I found most valuable was the applicability of what we were learning in the classroom to my flight labs,” she said. “Instructors helped us develop a deeper understanding of how lift is generated in both the wings and props, which helped me in my ground knowledge evaluations.”

From the aviation perspective, the course plays a foundational role in preparing students for advanced coursework and professional careers.

“The Auburn University School of Aviation is one of the nation’s premier collegiate aviation programs, dedicated to training students not only as commercial pilots but as well-rounded professionals in the aviation industry,” Billingslea said. “The Physics for Aviators course provides a solid foundation in math and science, enabling students to deeply understand the principles of aerodynamics and the physics behind flight. Graduates of this course consistently excel in advanced classes such as Propulsion and Aerodynamics, positioning them for success in both academic and professional aviation careers.”

Today, the course is taught by Stephen Adams, demonstrating its sustainability beyond the original development team and Auburn’s long-term commitment to the program.

For Landers, Physics for Aviators exemplifies how collaboration across academic units can produce meaningful educational innovation.

“Pilots use physics every day, whether they think about it that way or not,” he said. “This course provides the same conceptual foundation we teach in physics but framed through examples that connect directly to flight training and students’ passion for aviation.”

Looking ahead, faculty are exploring future enhancements to the course, including updates to laboratory components and the possibility of incorporating aviation-based data into instruction. These efforts would further strengthen the connection between classroom physics and real-world flight experience.

“It is just incredibly cool when something strange happens while flying, and you can explain that phenomenon through a concept learned in class,” Marlowe said. “It allows me to be a safer and better-informed pilot.”

Physics for Aviators highlights how COSAM is reimagining physics education through meaningful, real-world connections. By grounding core physical principles in the context of flight, the course equips aviation students with a deeper scientific understanding that supports safer, more informed decision-making in the air and reinforces the central role of physics in aviation.