Jessica Reed is a writer and editor with AIN. She joined the team in the fall of 2023 after two years covering the aviation industry at Avionics International. She earned her bachelor&#039;s degree in English (Writing &amp; Rhetoric) from Pepperdine University. Her hometown is St. Louis, Missouri, and she since has resided in Santa Barbara, California, and Brooklyn, New York, among others. She is currently based in Philadelphia.

Writer & Editor

Jessica Reed

Researchers at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have created an artificial intelligence (AI)( system designed to transcribe and translate aviation radio communications. The team said the technology addresses longstanding challenges that pilots and air traffic controllers face with unclear transmissions and aviation-specific phraseology.
To convert spoken radio transmissions into standardized text, the system combines automatic speech-recognition technology with natural language processing. The AI refines communications by standardizing terminology, formatting call signs and numbers, removing filler words, and identifying potential errors in pilot-controller exchanges.
Andrew Schneider, assistant professor in the College of Aviation who directs the university’s Speech and Language AI Lab, leads the project alongside Jianhua Liu, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. Their research received $30,000 in grants from Embry-Riddle’s Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety.
Initial testing using off-the-shelf speech recognition tools on recordings from 12 high-traffic U.S. airports revealed significant limitations, with an 80% word error rate. “Aviation English isn’t standard conversational grammar—it’s a condensed, highly specific phraseology spoken over a noisy radio where words get clipped and specialized jargon abounds,” Schneider explained.
<h2>Automatic Speech Recognition</h2>
Liu’s signal-processing expertise enabled customization of the automatic speech recognition system, reducing the word error rate to below 15%. The improved performance led to the system’s adoption in a NASA-funded project requiring the extraction of flight deck communications from high-background-noise audio.
Kristy Kiernan, associate director of the Boeing Center, noted the technology’s potential to analyze previously untapped qualitative data sources. “Large language models can open up whole new data sources that we can leverage to improve safety,” she said.
Future applications include real-time systems that could interface with aircraft systems to detect inconsistencies between verbal instructions and aircraft behavior, flag missed communications, or assist with checklist verification. Researchers envision the technology serving as an intelligent copilot to enhance situational awareness and prevent communication breakdowns.
The system could also provide immediate feedback to student pilots and help instructors identify specific communication training needs, potentially transforming how aviation communication skills are developed and maintained across the industry.

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

Embry-Riddle Develops AI System To Enhance Aviation Radio Communications

The artificial intelligence system is designed to transcribe and translate aviation radio communications

Researchers at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have created an artificial intelligence system to transcribe and translate aviation radio communications.

Embry-Riddle Enhances Aviation Radio Comms with AI

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Adacel Technologies partners with Smart Eye to enhance MaxSim air traffic control simulation

Eye-tracking Technology Enhances ATC Training Platform

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Proposals are due September 21

FAA Solicits Integrator Proposals for ATC Modernization

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

FAA reauthorization bill directs FAA to move forward on testing and operational approval

FAA Runs Tests while Winter Haven Preps for Remote Tower

Matt Thurber

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

Audio engineer demonstrates how easy it is to replicate controllers’ voices

DEF CON Talk Warns of ATC Voice Cloning ‘Nightmare’

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

In this article

Embry-Riddle

More In ATC

Eye-tracking Technology Enhances ATC Training Platform

Adacel Technologies partners with Smart Eye to enhance MaxSim air traffic control simulation

FAA Solicits Integrator Proposals for ATC Modernization

Proposals are due September 21

FAA Runs Tests while Winter Haven Preps for Remote Tower

FAA reauthorization bill directs FAA to move forward on testing and operational approval

DEF CON Talk Warns of ATC Voice Cloning ‘Nightmare’

Audio engineer demonstrates how easy it is to replicate controllers’ voices

DOT Watchdog To Probe FAA's Spectrum Safety Communications

Big Beautiful Bill calls for spectrum reallocation

DOT Watchdog To Probe Shift of Newark ATC Management

FAA moved air traffic responsibilities from New York to Philadelphia before outages

DOT Chief Continues Push for More ATC Funding

Duffy says FAA needs $31.5 billion to completely upgrade ATC

Aviation Stakeholders Eye Funding Needs for ATC Overhaul

Lawmakers and aviation leaders aligned on ATC modernization

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN