Transforming U.S. Air Force Enlisted Aircraft Maintenance Training

How can the United States Air Force transform the way it trains a new generation of enlisted aircraft maintainers to support modern weapon systems despite a diminishing workforce? Infusing the latest commercial 3-D interactive computer technology into Air Force enlisted maintenance training programs capitalizes on the current generation's inherent technical skills, prepares them to work on advanced aircraft systems and saves scarce resources. From 1996 through 2003 the Air Force Audit Agency evaluated aircraft maintenance training in the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and active duty units and found all three require drastic improvements. An analysis of Bloom's Taxonomy on the cognitive, affective and psychomotor learning domains sets the groundwork for how the proliferation of computer technology improves knowledge, attitude and skills for young aircraft maintainers. The overall result is a transformation from antiquated classrooms used by previous generations to a digital classroom of the future that focuses on existing computer technologies. High-tech, interactive computer systems transform the way a new generation of Airmen learn aircraft systems and maintenance procedures. The Air Force produces a better trained maintenance workforce by slashing classroom time, increasing aircraft system knowledge and fostering greater interest in training.