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The manuals that aircraft mechanics read follow a very strict writing rulebook: every sentence can mean only one thing. Why so strict? Mechanics around the world speak all kinds of first languages. If a manual is vague, one wrong turn of a bolt can cause an accident. In the late 1970s, European airlines asked the industry to fix how manuals were written. In 1986, the first rulebook came out.
Today it's called ASD-STE100. In plain words: Simplified Technical English. Here's an example. The usual way: "Only after ensuring the relevant parts have properly cooled may removal proceed." How cool is "properly"? Does "may" mean you must wait, or you should? The reader has to guess.
The simplified way is two sentences: Let the part cool. Then remove the part. Nothing to guess. There are fifty-three rules. Four matter most. One: each sentence says one thing. Two actions, two sentences.
Two: keep it short. An instruction gets twenty English words at most. Three: one word, one meaning. For example, you write start, never begin. Four: say who does what. Write "tighten the bolt", not "the bolt should be tightened".
What does this have to do with AI? The rulebook is public, and AI knows the name. Just add one line: "Explain this in ASD-STE100 style." No need to list it all — shorter sentences, no detours, no hard words. One name brings it all.
Too stiff? Just say: "Eighty percent is fine." Still short sentences, but easier to read. But it makes things clear, not moving. Use it for a love letter or an ad, and it falls flat. And it only stops you from misreading — it doesn't make the content true. Facts still need checking.
So next time AI talks in circles, don't ask it to keep it simple. Just add one line: "Use ASD-STE100 style, at eighty percent."
The manuals used by aircraft mechanics
follow a very strict writing rule:
every sentence can mean only one thing.
It's called ASD-STE100, short for "Simplified Technical English". Aircraft mechanics around the world speak all kinds of native languages, and if a manual is vague, one wrong turn of a screw can cause an accident. So the aviation industry created this rulebook.
In plain words: everyday writing leaves the reader to work it out themselves. Simplified writing makes it impossible to misread.
The rulebook is public, and AI knows it by name.
You only need to add one sentence.
We saidAI already knows this rulebook well; only words from one small dictionary are allowed.
Now it saysThe rulebook is public and AI knows it by name; mostly words from one small dictionary, and each industry may add its own technical nouns.
Re-checked against ASD-STE100 Issue 9 while making the video: "AI knows it well" can't be verified, and the standard lets each industry add its own terms. Sources added.
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