Rule 2.2: Write long technical nouns in full, then shorten or hyphenate them

What a checker looks for

Usually a deviation, and context can excuse it.

• Flag a 4+-word official/technical noun only when its repeated full-length use, or an unclear/incorrect abbreviation or hyphenation, actually makes the text hard to follow — repeating the full form after first occurrence is not automatically non-STE, since shortening is conditional ('if possible'), not mandatory.
• Flag an abbreviation or acronym for a long technical noun that appears before that noun has ever been written out in full.
• Flag hyphens chained across more than three word-units purely to force a long multi-word noun under the three-word cap (e.g. 'main-gear-door-retraction-winch handle' hyphenated into what reads as only two words).
• Treat an abbreviation or hyphen applied to an approved technical noun that already has three words or fewer as a hard violation, matching the standard's own worked examples ('Do not write: ... DA ... PVA ...' / 'WRITE: ... diaphragm assembly ... poppet valve assembly ...', page 1-2-3): it is unnecessary and the standard shows it as non-compliant, not merely undesirable.

What this rule does not cover

• Hyphens or abbreviations that are already fixed parts of an official/approved technical noun (e.g. 'inward-outward valve') must be kept exactly as given, even though the rule otherwise discourages hyphenating short nouns.
• Hyphenating two or three words that genuinely operate as a single unit (e.g. 'cutoff-switch power connection') is compliant, not a violation of rule 2.1 or 2.2.

How to fix it

On first occurrence, spell out the long technical noun in full (with a brief parenthetical explanation if helpful), then use an approved abbreviation or a shorter form for later occurrences. Alternatively, hyphenate only the words that truly function as one unit so the phrase reads as three words or fewer. Remove any hyphenation or abbreviation applied to technical nouns that are already three words or fewer.

Constraints on the fix

• Never change hyphens or word forms that are already part of an official/approved technical noun.
• Do not string hyphens across more than three word-units just to disguise the word count.