diff --git a/Frontend/app.vue b/Frontend/app.vue
index 8d180ff..7e1b70c 100644
--- a/Frontend/app.vue
+++ b/Frontend/app.vue
@@ -852,8 +852,10 @@ async function startPilotMeter(stream: MediaStream) {
 
 function appendPilotTranscript(text: string) {
   const next = text.trim();
-  if (!next) return;
-  pilotInput.value = pilotInput.value.trim() ? `${pilotInput.value.trim()} ${next}` : next;
+  if (!next) return "";
+  const merged = pilotInput.value.trim() ? `${pilotInput.value.trim()} ${next}` : next;
+  pilotInput.value = merged;
+  return merged;
 }
 
 function getAudioContextCtor(): typeof AudioContext {
@@ -1003,11 +1005,11 @@ async function startPilotRecording() {
       if (audioBlob.size > 0) {
         const transcript = await transcribeRecordedPilotAudio(audioBlob);
         if (!transcript) return;
-        if (mode === "send" && !pilotSending.value) {
-          await sendPilotText(transcript);
+        const mergedText = appendPilotTranscript(transcript);
+        if (mode === "send" && !pilotSending.value && mergedText.trim()) {
+          await sendPilotText(mergedText);
           return;
         }
-        appendPilotTranscript(transcript);
       }
     };
 
@@ -2551,7 +2553,6 @@ async function decideFeedCard(card: FeedCard, decision: "accepted" | "rejected")
                   v-model="pilotInput"
                   class="pilot-input-textarea"
                   :placeholder="pilotRecording ? 'Recording... speak, then press mic to fill or send to submit' : 'Type a message for Pilot...'"
-                  :disabled="pilotTranscribing"
                   @keydown.enter="handlePilotComposerEnter"
                 />