Last weekend, after a few days of setting up our summer cottage for the summer season, I found myself back behind the wheel, making the drive home from Punkaharju. Usually, I just listen to music or a podcast, but this time I decided to try something different: using ChatGPT’s voice feature to have a live brainstorming session — hands-free — about aviation software ideas.
It turned out to be a really nice use of time behind the wheel I’ve had in a long while.
I kicked off the conversation pretty casually, just sharing some general thoughts about challenges in aviation — especially around accessing and organizing information in AIPs (Aeronautical Information Publications) and NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen). There’s a ton of critical information pilots need to keep up with, and it’s not always presented in the most user-friendly way.
What surprised me was how natural it felt to just talk through these topics with ChatGPT. I wasn’t glued to a screen, fumbling with notes, or trying to remember things for later. I could just ramble, question, bounce around ideas — and ChatGPT kept up with me the whole way. It asked smart follow-up questions, offered fresh perspectives, and even helped me think a little more critically about the real needs versus “nice-to-haves.”
Even though I didn’t dive into actual project concepts, just talking aloud about the frustrations and possibilities around things like improving access to AIP updates, making NOTAMs more digestible, or finding better ways to track operational changes got my brain firing. It felt less like a one-way brainstorm and more like a real conversation — the kind you’d have with a colleague during a long road trip.
The voice recognition was very good too, even with the background noise of the car. There was no stress about phrasing things perfectly or speaking super clearly — it just worked. That made it easier to stay in the creative zone instead of worrying about “dictating” correctly.
By the time I got home, I had a mental list of ideas and rough thoughts that felt way more structured than if I had just been mulling them over silently.
Honestly, this was a small but pretty cool reminder that brainstorming doesn’t have to be tied to a desk, a whiteboard, or even a quiet room. Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re on the move — and now, thanks to tools like ChatGPT’s voice feature, it’s easier (and safer) than ever to capture them.
Already looking forward to the next long drive.