New AI that can Translate 'Aviation English'

Researchers from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in the United States have developed an AI system that can help decode “aviation English.” Their work aims to solve issues that arise when radio communications are misunderstood. 

While many aspects of aviation operations have advanced because of automation, Andrew Schneider, an assistant professor at ERAU believes that radio communication in aviation has seen little change. 

Effective radio communication between pilots and air traffic control is a vital element in ensuring that airport operations run smoothly. However, miscommunication can still occur, whether due to poor audio quality, unclear phrasing, or other factors. A misunderstanding between pilots and controllers can escalate a minor request into a serious incident. 

The AI tool developed by the team at ERAU is a system that employs automatic speech recognition to convert radio transmissions into text. It then applies natural language processing to refine the output, including standardising terminology, formatting numbers and call signs, filtering out filler words, and highlighting potential errors. 

The Researchers from ERAU believe that “aviation English” is not standard conversational English but a highly specialised form. It is the standard form of communication in the aviation industry worldwide. It incorporates specialised vocabulary, ICAO-approved phraseology, and the phonetic alphabet (often referred to as the NATO phonetic alphabet) to ensure that critical messages are clearly understood during both routine operations and emergency situations. 

While the introduction of such an AI system is a welcome development, rigorous testing and trials must be conducted to eliminate the risk of errors that could lead to fatal accidents.