AS9100: Quality management systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defense Organizations

Israeli and foreign aerospace (aviation, space and land, sea, and air defense) manufacturers require that their subcontractors have certification that their quality management system complies with the specific specifications of the aerospace industry. This is a contractual requirement for organization that manufacture aerospace and defense products, assemblies and components, develop hardware or software, and integrators and maintenance service providers.

AS9100: Quality management systems – Aerospace was prepared by SAE Aerospace, under the sponsorship of the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), which includes some of the largest companies in the industry, such as General Electric Inc., Boeing Company, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., MTU Aero Engines AG, Airbus SE, and Israel Aerospace Industries. AS9100 certification integrates the requirements of ISO 9001: Quality management systems and legislative and aviation requirements. Related standards have also been established for assessment, critical items, supply chain risk management, and other issues. Guidelines to support AS9100 requirements have also been distributed, including:

AS9146- Foreign Object Damage; AS5553-Prevention of Counterfeit Parts; AS9103-Key Characteristics, AS9115-S/W; AS9136-Root Cause Analysis and Problem Solving; AS9110-Repairstation, AS9102- First Article Inspection; 9134-Supply Chain Risk Management Guideline; AS 9145- Requirements for Advanced Product Quality Planning and Production Part Approval Process

Standards Institution of Israel compliance certification with AS9100: Quality management systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defense Organizations demonstrates that the organization applies control, monitoring, validation, and process verification methods and provides the necessary resources to realize its commitment to the quality of products per the demands of the customer, aviation authorities, and applicable law.

Establishment of an AS9100 quality management system will enable the organization to –

• Identify and management processes, collect and analyze data with respect to the defined metrics and targets
• Comply with contractual requirements and requirements of Israeli and foreign aviation authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
• Reduces expenses for loss of material, flawed service, customer loss, etc.
• Drive ongoing processes and improvement plans, even beyond basic compliance with the requirements
• Switch to effective and efficient work processes through process validation and verification: content, production, assembly, installation, service, and administration
• Consistency across the supply chain from the material level to the finished product and service, and aircraft and avionics renovation and assemblies
• Reduce the number and scope of customer audits
• Controlled project management

Standards Institution of Israel auditors will help identify whether the organization's aerospace and defense quality management system is in compliance with the requirements and what are the points in need of improvement. AS9100 certification ensures that the organization is in compliance with the requirements of SI ISO 9001.

Standards Institution of Israel audits are performed by APMG-trained and certified auditors

Road to certification

Certification follows the successful implementation an organization's in-house aviation, space, and defense quality management system pursuant to the requirements of the standard of its food safety management procedure. To start this process, it is recommended to purchase the standard at the Standards Institution of Israel Information Center, study the requirements, and participate in appropriate training. It is also possible to consult with the aviation, space, and defense quality management experts and undergo an audit by Standards Institution of Israel to check for shortcomings.

The process ought to be seen as an opportunity for improvement via the organization team which will receive management commitment and involvement. At the end of the process, independent Standards Institution of Israel auditors will perform an audit that confirms that the organization's aviation, space, and defense management system is compatible to the specifications of the standard.