Warren F. Phillips was a distinguished professor in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Utah State University, with a career spanning about 41 years at the institution. His academic journey and research contributions have left an indelible mark on the field of subsonic aerodynamics and flight mechanics, and on countless students.

Dr. Phillips embarked on his academic journey at the University of Michigan, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E) in 1966. His passion for the subject led him to pursue advanced degrees, and he went on to obtain a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (M.S.M.E.) in 1967, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering in 1970, all from the same prestigious institution.

Dr. Phillips joined the USU faculty in 1972. His early work focused on computer-aided design, solar energy, and control of flexible robotics. In the mid 1990’s, Glenn Gebert, a good friend of his, announced he was leaving the university for industry. Glenn had been teaching the aeronautical engineering courses, which left a need in the department to teach these courses. Warren was asked to teach them, since he was an experienced hanglider pilot. For the first semester, Warren just stayed a chapter or two ahead of the students as he taught the courses on aeronautical engineering. However, it didn’t take long before he began assembling his own notes for the courses, which later formed the foundation of his incredible book entitled “Mechanics of Flight.” This was published by Wiley in New York in January 2004, and has become a fundamental resource in the field of aerospace engineering.

Throughout his later career, Dr. Phillips has been deeply immersed in the realm of subsonic aerodynamics and flight mechanics. He has continually expanded the boundaries of knowledge in this domain through extensive research and academic contributions. Some of his primary research interests include airfoil design and modeling, investigating the impact of wing tip vortices on finite wing design, propeller performance analysis, lifting-line theory, turbulence modeling, and the development of aircraft design software.

In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Phillips holds multiple patents, reflecting his commitment to innovation. Notably, he has a patent for an "Apparatus and method for reducing induced drag on aircraft and other vehicles," as well as another patent entitled "Device and method for control of flexible link robot manipulators."

Dr. Phillips' dedication to his profession and students has not gone unnoticed. He has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the AIAA Certificate of Merit for the Outstanding Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Paper in 2003 and the AIAA Utah Engineering Educator of the Year Award in both 2000 and 2001. He was also the recipient of the prestigious USU Robins award twice for his work with DBF teams in 2000 and 2001. His dedication to education is evident through accolades like the Teacher of the Year and Advisor of the Year awards from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

As a Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Dr. Warren Phillips’s work continues to inspire future generations of engineers, contributing significantly to the advancement of knowledge in the field of subsonic aerodynamics and flight mechanics. His enduring commitment to research, education, and innovation is a testament to his remarkable career in academia.