There are a number of standards specifically tailored to the aerospace and aviation industry, including AS9100, AS9110 or AS9120. Most companies operating in these sectors require certification in at least one, and sometimes several, of these AS91XX standards.
The aviation and aerospace industry often tends to be at the forefront of technological innovation and global supply chain integration. At the same time, customer safety and reliability are key factors.
The AS9100 standards were created to help aerospace companies deal with many critical elements of their operations, procurement and safety protocols, including but not limited to equipment management, dealing with fraudulent purchases and airport safety protocols.
AS91XX standards enhance quality management up and down the value chain – including product safety and configuration management, raw material testing and post-delivery support.
AS9100 compliance would be vital for companies looking to expand internationally, as well as streamlining processes to enable lean management and continuous improvements over time.
The AS9100D (also called EN9100:2018) standards were introduced as the latest version of the quality requirements per the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) based on continued feedback from major operators plying the US, Europe and Asia Pacific routes.
Building off ISO9001 guidelines, the AS9100D standards introduce elements that pertain to the aerospace and aviation industry, with specific focus on safety and process improvement.
The ultimate goal is to be able to fly safely, which requires efficient and quality-controlled development, production and distribution along the supply chain created to procure and utilize aerospace parts and products.
AS9100D is a general aviation industry standard, with the next two – AS9110 and AS9120 – being applicable to aircraft maintenance (e.g., Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul functions).
The key to maintaining a Quality Management System (QMS) that adheres to AS9100D standards is to perform regularly scheduled internal audits. Establishing the framework of the audit, choosing the right team to perform the audit, making corrections if required and maintaining records going forward are all critical steps to ensure that an organization maintains its certification and QMS standards.
The AS9100 and AS9100D standards apply to the following types of companies:
In short, if a company manufactures or supplies parts and machines to operators and maintenance companies involved in the aerospace industry, the AS9100 policies will help combine quality with increased efficiencies and lower costs across a global supply chain. Regular updates will help maintain a high level of performance and speedy turnarounds.
