Aerospace organizations often need to define and implement custom DITA specializations to tailor DITA XML to their specific documentation requirements. Custom DITA specializations allow organizations to create domain-specific structures and elements that are not available in the standard DITA framework. Here’s how aerospace organizations typically define and implement these specializations:

1. Identify Specific Needs: The first step is to identify the specific needs of aerospace documentation. This may include specialized elements for aircraft components, maintenance procedures, safety guidelines, regulatory compliance, and more. These needs are typically derived from industry standards and the unique requirements of aerospace documentation.

2. Define Specialized Structures: Based on the identified needs, organizations define specialized structures using DITA XML. For example, they can define custom elements like <aircraft-component> to represent components of an aircraft, <safety-procedure> to represent safety procedures, and <compliance-document> to document compliance with industry standards.

Example:

<aircraft-component>
  <component-name>Jet Engine</component-name>
  <part-number>12345</part-number>
  <maintenance-schedule>
    <task>Inspect Turbine Blades</task>
    <task>Replace Fuel Filters</task>
  </maintenance-schedule>
  <regulatory-compliance>
    <compliance-standard>FAA Part 25</compliance-standard>
    <compliance-document>AC 120-21</compliance-document>
  </regulatory-compliance>
</aircraft-component>

3. Implement Specializations: Once the specialized structures are defined, they need to be implemented. This often involves working with a DITA-aware XML editor or CMS (Content Management System) that supports custom specializations. The organization’s documentation team uses these tools to create and manage content with the custom DITA specializations.

Custom DITA specializations are essential for aerospace organizations to effectively manage their documentation, ensuring that it aligns with industry standards and safety requirements. These specializations provide the flexibility required to create structured and compliant aerospace documentation.