THE IMPLEMENTING OF CDIO CONCEPT IN THE NKRAFA

The objective of this paper is to illustrate whether implementing the CDIO concept in the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy (NKRAFA) can result in better air cadet performance. Traditionally, the air cadets learn UAVs through several activities including in-class learning, practical training, and also joining such UAV competitions as NKRAFA UAS Contest. However, they could find solutions only for simple missions. The CDIO notion, therefore, was employed in the academy via curricular planning using problem-based learning. The concept has been implemented in the institute since 2015 through the tasks imitated from the actual UAV missions operated by the Royal Thai Air Force. After implementing the CDIO concept, the air cadets can better develop their strategies, as well as form their teams for joining competitions both domestically and internationally. Consequently, utilizing the CDIO concept can result in better air cadet performance regarding UAVs' mission planning. Implementing the CDIO principle can also establish the foundation of the student-learning method that could be more developed in other fields in the future.