Simplified Technical English (ASD-STE100)

MAXit for SE


FAA regulations state, "each person performing maintenance, alteration, or preventive maintenance on an aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance shall use the methods, techniques and practices prescribed in the current manufacturer's maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness prepared by the manufacturer." (14 CFR § 43.13(a))

The MAXit Checker has 19,000+ AI rules called inferences that correct errors in technical documentation. The MAXit Checker is available for Microsoft Word, Adobe FrameMaker, PTC Arbortext Editor, XMetaL and database APIs (example, AWS, IBM, Oracle, Azure).

STE ROI The USAF calculates the downtime cost for one F-35 aircraft is $28,000 per hour. Complex procedures written in STE make maintenance tasks easier and faster, improve safety, mission readiness and operational interoperability.

Click for information about our MAXit Starter Kit.

 Simplified Technical English (STE)

AirLandSea ASD-STE100 is a Simplified Technical Vocabulary developed by the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD). STE is designed to help technical writers and engineers write Component Maintenance Manuals (CMMs) for Air, Land, Sea and Space vehicles. The STE standard is part of the S1000D documentation standard required for space vehicles, commercial and military aircraft, airline maintenance, all types of ships, military tanks, radars and military assets.

The STE vocabulary has a Core of 1,000 key words and a set of simplified grammar rules to write clear, concise instructions. The SMART team offers services to create product dictionaries.


BoeingAirbusAirlines with dual fleets

STE is a common technical vocabulary used by maintainers in 149 countries. STE lets airlines share training costs and standarize procedures. STE is required for compliance to S1000D and ATA 2200 documentation. Some STE users are Airbus, Textron Aviation, Safran, Boeing, BAE Systems, Honeywell, RTX and Northrop Grumman.

 SMART Aerospace and Defense Team

Text Mining Our experts have many years of experience in Aerospace and Defense in the USA, Europe, UK, Canada, Asia-Pacific and Australia. We understand Simplified Technical English (STE), Military and NATO Specifications S1000D, ATA2200, ASD-STE100, MIL-STD-40051B, DO-178C, .xml, .dita, .sgml, IETM and ITAR compliance.

Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Flying Taxis The curated dictionary in the MAXit Checker is ideal to write Safety Management documents for eVTOLs, electrical propulsion systems, air navigation, flight operations and airline customer experience.

SMART Sherlock for ITAR Compliance

Text Mining An audit version of the MAXit Checker uses AI rules to read and redact text for ITAR compliance. The Sherlock version scans .xml documentation and automatically redacts (hides) classified information.

 Automated Language Translations

Simplified Technical English is the legal language for aviation documentation.
However, agentic AI can create fast, low-cost, translations for faster training. These convenience translations expand the global workforce to solve the shortage of aviation technicians.

 Digital Transformation

Text Mining Simplified English is ideal for Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs) that are distributed electronically to global users.

Our technology partners are Adobe (FrameMaker), Microsoft (Word), IBM WatsonX, Siemens (Teamcenter), PTC (Arbortext), ServiceNow, Nvidia (NIMs) and other publishing systems.


 MAXit Checker Versions

Click a version to download (.pdf) Data Sheet.
MAXit Versions

Starter Kit The Starter Kit includes a MAXit Checker license, core dictionary and our starter aviation dictionary. All dictionaries are easy to customize for Air, Land, Sea and Space.

Contact us to learn where to get the ASD-STE and S1000D Specifications.
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Benefits of STE

  • Technical information that is easy-to-read and understand.
  • Reaches a global audience with less words.
  • Allows Limited English Proficiency readability.
  • Easy to adapt to other industries, ex. semiconductors.
  • Replaces complex ideas with common language.
  • Uses a small vocabulary for faster training.
  • Identifies key words to avoid product liability.
  • Promotes short sentences for easier comprehension.
  • Allows for long-form and short-form abbreviations.
  • Makes the editing of machine translation easy.
  • Uses active voice, where possible.
  • Uses bulleted list format.
  • Makes the conversion to .dita and .xml easier.
  • Replaces nice-to-know with need-to-know.
  • Removes jargon, idioms and engineering-ese.
  • Uses standardized engineering nomenclature.
  • Simplifies the text through 208 key verbs.
  • Allows a consistent style across company documents.
  • Includes variant spelling, British and American.
  • Simplifies English verb conjugation for English learners.
  • Uses simplified grammar, syntax and style.
  • Uses the principle of ONE WORD-ONE MEANING.
  • Decreases rework, waste and extra Truck Rolls
  • Promotes clear language for critical instructions.
  • Allows the use of trademarks, brands and proper nouns.
  • Removes all gender-related terms for neutral language.
  • Makes the teaching of Technical English easier.
  • Improves the accuracy of voice-to-speech output.
  • Improves readability on mobile devices and tablets.
  • Avoids the need for some language translation.
  • Proven for technical communications in 149 countries.
  • Encourages clear, concise, easy-to-read English.