AS9100 Aerospace Quality Management

ABOVE AND BEYOND

Guidelines to an Aerospace Quality Management System

raising standards worldwide

Every organization, regardless of size or sector, strives

to provide a quality culture that will permeate through
every level of their organization. But establishing optimal
working practices, which can enhance profit as well as
customer satisfaction, does not happen by accident.
Todays most successful companies know the importance
of having a proven Quality Management System (QMS)
in place. Various quality management systems have been
used in the aerospace industry for many years. They have
helped the industry deliver exemplary levels of product
quality and operational safety. However, suppliers faced
the need to maintain a different QMS for each of their
large Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).

INTRODUCTION
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BSI Management Systems Aerospace Quality Management

To establish a single common Aerospace Quality

Management System (AQMS), members of the
global aerospace industry worked together to
produce AS9100 and its supporting family of
standards. Its use is supported by the worlds
leading aerospace companies including Boeing,
Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rolls
Royce Allison, General Electric Aircraft Engines
and NASA.
Your certification is a sign of acceptability
that helps you demonstrate your quality
standards to customers. Certification
to AS9100 is associated with the
following benefits:
Demonstration of operation to globally
recognized aerospace quality standards
Improved product and process quality
Additional confidence for global
sourcing

Potential reduction in variation of

quality and increase in efficiency
Potential reduction in 2nd party
system audits
Common language to improve
understanding of quality requirements
Compliance with a system supported
by regulatory bodies
Excellent levels of traceability
throughout the supply chain

Common quality system approach

in the supply chain for supplier/
subcontractor development
and consistency

BSI Management Systems Aerospace Quality Management

ISO 9001:2000 AS THE BASIS OF AS9100

AS9100 is based upon ISO 9001:2000. You will need to understand this standard,
plus what was added to generate AS9100.
ISO 9001:2000, as its core, has the principle of process management and the
Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle (see below).
ISO 9001:2000 is a process based approach to management which helps
understand what you do, rather than a procedure based approach which shows
how your activities are controlled.
This enables organizations to link business objectives with business effectiveness
more directly. The ISO 9001:2000 process approach views an organization as a
series of interacting processesthe very processes which produce the products
and services customers buy.

Continual improvement of the quality management system

Management
Act
Improve

Plan

Strategic
Customer
Requirements

Measure
Analyze
Improve

Resource

Customer
Satisfaction

Detailed

Detailed
Plan
Do

BSI Management Systems Aerospace Quality Management

Check
Realize
Product/Service

Do

DEVELOPMENT OF AEROSPACE
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS STANDARDS
AS9100 contains supplements to ISO 9001:2000. This is
the key difference between the two standards and is
meant to satisfy industry, internal, government and
regulatory requirements.
AS9100 was developed by representatives from the
aerospace industry in the Americas, Europe and Asia. It is
published in the Americas by the Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE).
AS9100 is the first of a family of aerospace standards and
is intended for use by aerospace manufacturers and
suppliers. The related AS9003 is for organizations
undertaking inspection and test activities, AS9110 is a
QMS structure for aerospace maintenance organizations,
while AS9120 helps aerospace stockists/distributors. Key
emphasis of these related standards will be traceability.

BSI CAPABILITY AND BENEFITS OF

CERTIFICATION WITH BSI
BSIproviding solutions, producing results
When you choose BSI as your business partner, you are also
choosing our international reputation for excellence. We
are the largest and most respected management systems
certification body in the world. Our office locations around
the world are regarded universally as a global service provider
of the highest quality and integrity.
In addition to management systems certification, we offer
a range of complementary services that provide real added
value, including: training courses, the development of
schemes, product testing and product certification.
Here are some additional reasons to choose BSI:
We employ aerospace assessors with extensive commercial
and military aerospace experience who undergo thorough
training and qualification processes. This ensures that when
they visit your company they understand the needs and
specific requirements of your industry.
Our certification service is accredited by an independent
accreditation service, ensuring integrity of the
certification decision.
Use of the highly regarded BSI Certification Mark.
Strong links with other standards and technical
consultancies.

BSI Management Systems Aerospace Quality Management

THE IMPLEMENTATION AND

CERTIFICATION PROCESS
There are nine steps to implementing an AS9100 based QMS and achieving certification with BSI:
STEP 1
PURCHASE THE STANDARD

STEP 2
REVIEW SUPPORT
LITERATURE AND SOFTWARE

There are a large number of tools that can be very helpful at every stage of the
process of implementing any ISO 9001:2000 based QMS. We recommend
The Route to Registration published by BSI, which is available at:
www.bsiamericas.com/route2reg

STEP 3
ASSEMBLE AN
IMPLEMENTATION TEAM

You should begin the entire implementation process by assembling your team.
Responsibility for a QMS lies with top management. Therefore, it is vital that top
management is involved at the beginning of the process with the
implementation team.

STEP 4
CONSIDER TRAINING

Before you can begin preparing your system, you will need a copy of the standard.
You may purchase your copy at: www.sae.org

A wide range of training courses are available to assist, at every level of

understanding. To gain more information on training please visit:
www.bsiamericas.com/aerotraining

STEP 5
REVIEW CONSULTANCY
OPTIONS

Using a consultant to help you through the process can be very helpful, but
consider the costs versus the benefits. Download BSIs 10 Tips for the Selection and
Use of a Quality Management Systems Consultant at:
www.bsiamericas.com/getthemost

STEP 6
IMPLEMENT YOUR QMS

Involve staff to use and implement your QMS through training and awareness.

STEP 7
CHOOSE A
CERTIFICATION BODY

The certification body is the third-party, like BSI, who assess the effectiveness of
your QMS and issues a certificate if you meet the requirements of the standard.
Consider industry experience, geographic coverage, price and service level when
choosing your certification body.

STEP 8
GAIN CERTIFICATION

The key step to certification is a certification assessment, during which your entire
AS9100 management system will be assessed.

BSI Management Systems Aerospace Quality Management

THE CERTIFICATION
PROCESS WITH BSI
There are seven steps to gaining certification to AS9100 with BSI:
STEP 1
INITIAL INQUIRY

STEP 2
QUOTATION PROVIDED

STEP 3
APPLICATION COMPLETED

You will be asked to complete a company profile. Our professionals will do

everything they can to help you through this process.

We will forward a proposal for delivery of assessment services.

Submit a formal application to us.

STEP 4
CLIENT MANAGER
APPOINTED

Your principal contact with us throughout the certification process and beyond
will be appointed. They will have knowledge concerning the nature of your
business and will offer support while you develop your system.

STEP 5
PRE-ASSESSMENT
(OPTIONAL)

An optional pre-assessment can be undertaken to review your QMS and to

establish your readiness for initial assessment.

STEP 6
INITIAL ASSESSMENT

STEP 7
CERTIFICATION CONFIRMED

STEP 9
ONGOING ASSESSMENT

The formal assessment of your system is entirely objective. It reviews the

practices youve claimed and that your system meets the requirements of
the standard. Once the AS9100 checklist is completed, a score is
calculated. You will be informed of the recommendation before the
assessment team leaves your premises.
The Initial Assessment report is independently reviewed, the formal
certification decision taken and, if successful, your certificate of
certification is issued. Then you can begin to advertise your success and
promote your certification with us.

Your certification body will periodically visit you to ensure your system
continues to meet the requirements of the standard. The AS9100 checklist is
updated and the score is revised.

BSI Management Systems Aerospace Quality Management

AS9100 - AN EXPLANATION
OF THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
SUMMARY
OF ADDITIONS

CLAUSE 4
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The developers of AS9100 added elements to:

Documentation
This aims to make documentation more specific to the
aerospace industry and helps to meet the regulatory
requirements set by bodies such as the FAA.

Ensure that quality in the aerospace industry is maintained

at the highest level, in part due to the criticality of the use
of the final product.
Focus on the identification and management of key
characteristics of products.
Recognize the requirements set by regulatory bodies,
as well as ensure records are kept and activities are
conducted to help meet these requirements. The ultimate
aim is to reduce the government oversight of aerospace
manufacturers and suppliers.
Recognize the complex nature of the final products and the
need to ensure complete confidence in every component of
the final product.
Recognize the use of sub-contract organizations within a
process and ensure this is effectively managed.

BSI Management Systems Aerospace Quality Management

Configuration management
An element unique to the aerospace industry, this requires
strict control of drawings of parts and aircraft, including the
identification and control of manufacturing specifications,
external customer documents and quality records.

The following pages detail clause-by-clause

the core concepts that have been included in
AS9100, over and above ISO 9001:2000

CLAUSE 5
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

GENERAL
NEW COMMITMENT

Roles
This gives stronger weight and importance to the role of
the quality manager, ensuring they have authority to make
changes when appropriate. Without support from senior
management, the role of the quality manager is useless.

By applying to become certified to AS9100, a company is

also giving authority for OEMs and regulatory authorities
to accompany BSI on assessments and oversee activities at
any time this is not normal practice for companies certified
only to ISO 9001:2000. Regulatory authorities within the
aerospace industry have legal right of access at any time.
Therefore a certified company is saying, We are certified,
therefore we are good all the time, come look for yourself.

CLAUSE 6
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Work environment
This recognizes the need for strong emphasis on cleanliness
and precision required in the manufacturing of
aerospace parts.

BSI Management Systems Aerospace Quality Management

CLAUSE 7
PRODUCT REALIZATION
Planning
It places an emphasis on the long term and life cycle of a
product including support and maintenance. Aerospace
parts usually have a long life cycle and require traceability
from specification to disposal. This clause also includes a
requirement for implementing a Foreign Object Elimination
(FOE) process/program.

Purchasing
This recognizes the regulatory requirements in the area of
supplier control. The aim is to ensure that authentic parts
are used and there is accountability and responsibility in all
activities. This includes an increased role in verification of
product as it is received. This is when a company assumes
responsibility for supplied parts.

Customer related processes

Because of the nature of this industry, emphasis is placed on
the subject of risk evaluation (e.g. where new technology
is implemented or where demands are set for short delivery
time of products or services). As there are a number of
activities that can impact risk, this subject should be given
special attention.

Production and service provision

This is where key characteristics come to life, and the
associated importance of traceability and control through
effective documentation are recognized.

Design
Basic requirements are more robust due to the importance
and cost of investment often required. The additional
requirements focus on the key characteristics of products.
This is where the people, tasks and equipment are identified
and need to be classified to ensure the key characteristics are
effectively managed throughout the process.

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BSI Management Systems Aerospace Quality Management

Calibration
The requirements for the control of monitoring and
measuring devices in ISO 9001:2000 is amplified by the
additional provisions of AS9100.

CLAUSE 8 MEASUREMENT,
ANALYSIS AND IMPROVEMENT

AS9100
CHECKLIST

General
This is necessary for gathering information and trend
analysis for the long-term benefit in the aerospace industry.
In addition, it provides the need to analyze product at all
phases, from design to the end use. Record keeping is of
high importance to support this activity.

The AS9100 checklist is a fairly significant addition to the

management systems assessment process and is the major
difference companies will see during an assessment.

Control of non-conforming product

It recognizes the need and practice in the aerospace industry
for a more robust process for disposition and identification
of non-conforming products. Overall it recognizes the need
to prevent a non-conforming product from entering the
industry, and allows customers to know if a part has been
reworked at any time.
It also recognizes the aerospace term and practice of
conducting First Article inspection.

At the initial assessment or upgrade assessment, the checklist

is completed in full. The score will be made available through
the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) webbased database, OASIS. At each continuing assessment visit,
the assessor completes the checklist for only those activities
covered during the assessment and the total score is updated.
This score is an evaluation of effectiveness of the QMS.
This scoring methodology was added to provide a clear
and consistent assessment of an organizations ability and
performance to provide a benchmark against which continual
improvement can be measured.

Corrective action
This requires the need to involve the supplier when they are
reasoned to be the root cause of the problem.

BSI Management Systems Aerospace Quality Management

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