Dr. Thomas Yechout , a professor in the U.S. Air Force Academy’s aeronautics department, was honored in November by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education as the top professor in Colorado, the academy said.

Yechout was recognized for writing an engaging flight mechanics textbook and for “inspiring the academy’s cadets to become part of national-level aeronautics research projects,” the academy said.

Yechout consistently receives the highest ratings from cadets, averaging 5.8 on a six-point scale, the academy said.

“The word in the hallways here ... is that you are incredibly fortunate to wind up in one of Tom’s flight mechanics classes,” Aeronautics professor Dr. Aaron Byerley wrote in a recommendation letter. .

One of Yechout’s former students, Capt. Matthew Karmondy, wrote about Yechout’s engaging classroom presence and demanding nature as an instructor.

“When my fourth semester researching under Yechout’s supervision began, I offered to buy him a fresh package of red pens, knowing they would be put to good use,” Karmondy wrote. “We joked (that) he bled all over the pages of the report drafts: the reports were invariably returned covered with corrections, comments and every student’s least favorite question, ‘Did you consider ...?’

“Clearly over the years, Yechout has become less of a consultant and more of a valued team member on our most important work,” LeBeau wrote. “His attention to detail, technical expertise and search for answers is not only exceptional, but his impact is magnified through his students’ development, practical experience and  potential. Under his guidance, they have become lifelong learners and contributors.”

In 2010, Fran Pilch, deputy department head of the academy’s political science department, was named Colorado Professor of the Year from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.