Context and challenges
Gestair, a leading executive aviation and MRO company in Spain, was faced with the opportunity to expand its operations into an English-speaking market. This challenge involved the technical translation of a large amount of documentation, including parts A and C of their Operations Manual, section 1.10 of CAME, as well as operational notices and various operational support documentation, all within a tight timeframe given the need to submit the documentation to the authorities. Accuracy and consistency were essential, as any error could have serious consequences in terms of cost and loss of market opportunity.
Difficulties of technical documentation in the aviation industry
Technical documents in the aviation industry are highly specialized and dense with technical content. The different parts of the Operations Manual can contain hundreds of pages, several tenths of thousands of words, all with critical procedural information, checklists and complex diagrams. In addition, these documents must comply with strict international regulations, making accuracy and thoroughness a key requirement.
Pilots, ground personnel, engineers and technicians rely on this documentation to perform precise tasks that directly and significantly affect aircraft safety, crews, and passengers. Therefore, any translation slips could result in operational errors, which, in turn, could put people's lives at risk and mean costly delays and penalties.
Offered solution
Our team of experts in technical translation took on the task with a well-defined strategy. Firstly, the translators, British native speakers in this case, had extensive experience in the field of aviation and an in-depth knowledge of the specific terminology. Close collaboration with Gestair's managers and personnel allowed for an almost immediate resolution of any doubts which, in such large volumes of work, are always bound to arise. The creation of a specific glossary for the client, verified by its technicians, which was regularly updated, provided additional support in maintaining terminological consistency and going ‘an extra mile’ in the project.
Translation and revision process
Translating the technical documentation involved several critical phases. Initially, a thorough analysis of the documents was conducted to identify areas of specialized terminology and key concepts that required special attention. Based on this analysis, the translators worked closely with the engineers to develop a technical glossary to ensure consistency of terminology throughout the project.
The use of CAT (Computer Assisted Translation) tools allowed us to maintain uniformity in terminology and enabled the detection of errors in the Quality Assurance step. After the translation round, a third person, an experienced translator, proofread each document thoroughly, ensuring accuracy and technical consistency between documents and between translators.
Revisions led to several meetings with Gestair's personnel to address queries and fine-tune technical details, ensuring that the translation was not only accurate but also appropriate to the company's operational context and language.
In addition, a final revision was carried out by an expert British technical translator with experience in the aeronautical industry. This last step not only ensured technical accuracy, but also made the translations culturally appropriate and easy to understand for English-speaking readers, ensuring that no crucial information was lost in translation.
Results achieved
As a result of the intensive work, Gestair was able to submit its technical documentation in English with a level of accuracy comparable to that of the original documents in Spanish. This high quality translation allowed them to comply with international regulations and facilitate their successful implementation in a market outside Spain, their initial objective.
Impact on business
The accurate and thorough translation of the technical documentation not only removed language barriers, but also allowed Gestair to establish itself confidently in the new market and within the deadlines that had been set. With our support, the joint management of doubts, and the ongoing collaboration between Gestair and Traducciones Técnicas Aerópolis, the company was able to convey its commitment to safety and excellence, generating an image of trust and professionalism in the executive aviation industry.
In addition, completing the entire process within the planned timeframe enabled Gestair to achieve its objective of entering another market, while complying with the deadlines established by the competent authorities, which led to significant savings in management costs.
Conclusion
The success of this collaboration underlines the importance of having specialized translators and a careful revision process, highlighting how technical translation can be a key factor in the international expansion of companies. Combining technical accuracy, close collaboration with the client's technical team and rigorous quality control allowed Gestair not only to overcome language barriers, but also to successfully establish itself in a new and competitive market. Translation quality and fidelity were key elements in ensuring safety, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance, paving the way for future expansion and new achievements in a market as global as the executive aviation and MRO industry.
