Bringing adult education principles into flight instruction for USAF operational F-15E squadrons

Flight instructors in the US Air Force's F-15E multi-role fighter train pilots and weapon systems officers to fly high performance aircraft in combat. Teaching is performed as an additional or secondary duty within the six operational F-15E squadrons. Instructor training programs do not follow a consistent curriculum and no single-source text exists to support them. Existing materials do not relate directly to operational instruction and focus primarily on behavioristic teaching.;The purpose of this study was to develop a textbook for instructor training programs in operational F-15E squadrons. A sample textbook was developed for critique by a panel of 15 experienced instructors. The panel recommended the textbook for use in F-15E instructor training, but suggested far greater emphasis on practical teaching and presentation techniques than on understanding adult learning theory. Many panel suggestions were incorporated into a revised textbook which was submitted for use by USAF F-15E squadrons.