Casey Phinney

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Casey Phinney

Assistant Professor of Aviation and Aerospace Sciences

Aviation & Aerospace Science

I'm Teaching

AES 1040 - Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems
AES 2040 - Unmanned Systems Flight and Control
AES 3040 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems Data Collection and Analysis
AES 1100 - Aviation Fundamentals
AES 2120 - Instrument Fundamentals

Biography

Casey Phinney is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aviation and Aerospace Sciences at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he specializes in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), aviation education, and workforce development. His teaching and research interests focus on integrating hands-on learning, emerging technologies, and industry-aligned curriculum to prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving aviation and aerospace sectors.
Since joining MSU Denver, Casey has led significant efforts to revitalize the university's UAS program through curriculum redesign, FAA Part 107 integration, experiential learning initiatives, and the introduction of Drone Soccer and advanced simulation technologies. These efforts have resulted in substantial growth in upper-division UAS course enrollments and increased participation in the department's UAS certificate program.
Casey serves as a Faculty Senator, member of the Academic Program Review Committee, and reviewer on the Provost Mini-Grant Committee. He also serves as the UAS Concurrent Enrollment Liaison, supporting partnerships with regional high schools, and advises both the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) student chapter and the student-led drone club.
His scholarly work includes the publication of two textbooks, Drones Across Industries: The Professional Remote Pilot and A Comprehensive Guide for Drone Pilots and Part 107 Operations, as well as presentations at the University Aviation Association Conference on UAS education, program development, and Advanced Air Mobility. His work focuses on student engagement, workforce readiness, aviation innovation, and the future of unmanned aircraft systems education.
Casey is committed to advancing aviation education through innovative teaching practices, industry partnerships, and student-centered learning experiences that connect academic coursework to real-world aviation careers.

Research Interests

    My current research interests focus on three interconnected areas: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and teaching pedagogy within aviation education. My work in UAS education examines strategies for increasing student engagement, improving workforce readiness, integrating industry-relevant technologies, and developing effective pathways into emerging aviation careers. Recent scholarship has focused on curriculum design, experiential learning, FAA Part 107 preparation, and methods for revitalizing UAS programs through hands-on learning opportunities.
    I am also increasingly interested in the rapidly evolving field of Advanced Air Mobility, particularly the impact of emerging aircraft technologies on logistics, infrastructure inspection, transportation systems, workforce development, and aviation education. As the industry continues to mature, I plan to explore how higher education can effectively prepare students for careers associated with advanced air mobility operations and supporting technologies.
    In the area of teaching pedagogy, I am interested in understanding how students learn within highly technical and applied disciplines. My future research will explore the effectiveness of experiential learning, scenario-based instruction, flipped classroom models, and the integration of artificial intelligence into aviation education. Particular attention will be given to balancing the educational benefits of AI while maintaining academic integrity and developing assessment methods that promote authentic learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
    Moving forward, I intend to continue producing scholarship that bridges industry practice and educational innovation, with the goal of contributing to both the aviation profession and the advancement of effective teaching and learning in higher education.

Teaching Interests

    I have enjoyed teaching aviation for the past 13 years. During that time, I have developed the philosophy of creating better student engagement resulting in strong information retention. Students learning behaviors have changed and as educators, we need to adapt our teaching pedagogy accordingly to provide strong student outcomes.

Education

MA in Education Administration

Western Colorado State University

MA in Teacher Leadership

Western Colorado State University

Published Works