ASD-STE100, Simplified Technical English for aerospace and defense
ASD Simplified Technical English (ASD-STE100), formerly known as AECMA Simplified English, is an international specification for writing aerospace and defense documentation. The use of this specification is mandatory for many commercial and military projects worldwide. S1000D and ATA iSpec 2200 require the use of ASD Simplified Technical English for any documentation in English.
English is the official language for technical documentation in the aerospace and defense industries. However, many end-users are easily confused by complex sentence structures and by the number of different meanings and synonyms of English words. This applies especially to the many end-users who are not native English speakers.
As a result of joint efforts of AECMA (European Association for Aerospace Industries) and AIA (Aerospace Industries Association of America), the first issue of a controlled language for the aerospace and defense industries was released in 1986, entitled:
AECMA Simplified Technical English, PSC-85-16598 "A Guide for the Preparation of Aircraft Maintenance Documentation in the International Aerospace Maintenance Language".
In 2004, AECMA merged with EDIG (European Defense Industries Group) and EUROSPACE (Association of the European Space Industry) to form ASD, the Aerospace and Defense Industries Association of Europe. As a result, AECMA Simplified English was renamed to ASD Simplified Technical English. It also became an official Specification: ASD-STE100. In 2007, ASD-STE100 received the European Community Trade Mark No. 004901195. Since its first release in 1986 several changes, issues and revisions were released up to the present Issue 5 (2010), entitled:
ASD SIMPLIFIED TECHNICAL ENGLISH, Specification ASD-STE100, European Community Trade Mark No. 004901195 "International specification for the preparation of maintenance documentation in a controlled language".
ASD Simplified Technical English is characterized by a defined grammar and syntax rules, and a limited vocabulary. Today the standard is maintained by ASD and AIA members, which include companies such as British Aerospace, Airbus, Aermacchi, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, EADS, Dassault and Saab Aerosystems.
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ASD Simplified Technical English requirement
Programs that use ASD-STE100 include:
- Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, 787 (commercial), including equipment and engines
- Airbus A319, 320, 321, 330, 340, 350, 380 (commercial), including equipment and engines
- Nimrod 2000 (military)
- Beriev Be-200 (amphibious)
- Tornado (military)
- Eurofighter(military)
- Eurocopter EC 120 helicopter (commercial)
- Eurocopter NH 90 (military)
- Chinook helicopter (military)
Furthermore, ASD Simplified Technical English has become a requirement for the following standards:
- S1000D, an international standard for defense and aerospace documentation (AECMA/ASD)
- ATA iSpec2200, an ATA (American Transportation Association) standard for aircraft maintenance documentation
S1000D
The above mentioned advantages have also resulted in ASD Simplified Technical English becoming a requirement for certain standards in the aerospace industry: the ATA (Air Transport Association of America) calls for Simplified Technical English in ATA iSpec 2200 (formerly ATA iSpec 100), for use in preparing technical documentation in support of aircraft maintenance, and so does the S1000D specification.
The S1000D specification, another publication of ASD, is produced to establish documentation standards for any civil or military vehicle. It is based on XML for the production and use of electronic documentation.
In addition, the S1000D defines a Common Source Data Base (CSDB) to provide source information. This information is used to compile publications and for use in electronic logistics information systems to deliver information modules directly to the user.
HyperSTE ASD-STE100
Tedopres offers full ASD-STE Simplified Technical English implementation services, including:
- Dictionary development, in order to standardize on company specific terminology
- Training of technical writers and engineers on the rules of Simplified Technical English authoring
- HyperSTE ASD-STE100, the leading checker software to ensure compliance with ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English and standardized company terminology. This version of HyperSTE includes all writing rules and features, including full reporting functionality and the ability to export interactive feedback to HTML in order to share the feedback with your colleagues or suppliers.
Industry Examples
BEFORE
Clean the turret dome chassis thermal window securing screw threaded holes and the thermal window 16 securing screws of all previously used sealant using solvent.
AFTER
Clean the screw threaded holes and the 16 securing screws of the thermal window. Use solvent to remove all sealant.
As this sample demonstrates, the use of long noun clusters will make the text too complex. Therefore, do not use more than 3 nouns in a long noun cluster and use simple verbs instead of complex verbs.
If we look at another example:
"Turn off the engines not required"
This could mean:
"Turn off the engines that are not required", or
"Turning off the engines is not required".
These are two very different meanings which could cause damage, injury or even worse.
BEFORE
CompactPCI supervision unit
The CompactPCI rack is provided with a Chassis Monitor Module (CMM) that is hot swappable. The CMM can supervise the air temperature in the rack, the power supply voltage, the power supply and fan units operation. The CMM is also provided with digital input/outputs. The digital input provides the rack ID to the Single Board Computer (SBC). The CMM is provided with an Ethernet interface to the system. It is also provided with an RS232 port for configuration of the unit.
Fan unit
The CompactPCI rack is provided with a hot swappable fan unit and air filter that can be cleaned or replaced during operation.
The fan unit is supervised by the CMM. Thus malfunctioning fans can be detected and replaced before making any impact on system operation.
AFTER
CompactPCI rack
The CompactPCI rack has a Chassis Monitor Module (CMM) that is hot-swappable. The CMM monitors the air temperature in the rack, the power supply voltage, the power supply and the operation of the fan units. The CMM has a digital input and outputs. The digital input sends the rack ID to the Single Board Computer (SBC). The CMM has an Ethernet interface to the system. It also has an RS232 port to configure the unit.
Fan unit
The CompactPCI rack has a hot-swappable fan unit and an air filter. You can clean or replace these during operation.
The CMM monitors the fan unit. Use the CMM to find the malfunctioning fans and replace them before they have an effect on the system operation.
BEFORE
- Select Pod Power On
WARNING: IF HOSE IS PARTIALLY TRAILED (LESS THAN TEN FEET) IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY REWIND WHEN POD ELECTRICAL POWER IS SWITCHED ON. IF HOSE IS TRAILED INSTALL HOSE DRUM LOCKING GAG BEFORE SELECTING POD ELECTRICAL POWER ON.
- Install hose drum gag if hose not stowed.
- Undo fasteners and open left gull wing door (Ref 28-87-15, Page 201).
- Install hose drum locking gag.
- Ensure aircraft fuel pumps are off.
- Verify aircraft wing fuel valve closed.
WARNING: PRIOR TO TRAILING HOSE READ TRAIL HOSE WARNING/ CAUTION (REF 28-87-70, PAGE 201)
AFTER
WARNING: IF NOT ALL OF THE HOSE IS ON THE REEL, FIRST INSTALL THE HOSE CRUM GAG. DO NOT SET THE ELECTRICAL POWER OF THE POD TO “ON” BEFORE THE HOSE DRUM GAG IS INSTALLED. IF BETWEEN 0 AND 10 FEET OF THE HOSE IS OFF THE REEL, THE REEL WILL WIND THE HOSE AUTOMATICALLY.
- Install the hose drum gag if not all the hose is on the reel
- Set the pod power to “ON”
- Loosen the fasteners and open the left gull wing door (Ref 28-87, Page 201)
- Install the hose drum gag
- Make sure that the aircraft fuel pumps are off.
- Make sure that the aircraft wing fuel valve is closed.