Understanding Special Processes in Aerospace Special processes are manufacturing operations whose output quality cannot be fully verified by subsequent inspection or testing of the finished product. In aerospace manufacturing, special processes are pervasive and include heat treatment of metals and alloys, surface treatment including plating, anodizing, and painting, welding and brazing operations, nondestructive testing including ultrasonic, radiographic, magnetic particle,…

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The Aerospace Compliance Landscape Aerospace organizations operate within one of the most complex regulatory and standards environments of any industry. Compliance obligations may include quality management system standards such as AS9100, regulatory requirements from aviation authorities such as the FAA, EASA, and national civil aviation authorities, customer-specific quality requirements that flow down through the supply chain, special process requirements…

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Internal Auditing in the Aerospace Context Internal auditing in aerospace organizations carries unique responsibilities that reflect the industry’s demanding quality and safety requirements. While the fundamental principles of internal auditing apply across all industries, aerospace internal audit programs must address additional requirements from AS9100, customer-specific expectations, regulatory authority mandates, and the heightened quality awareness that aviation and defense products…

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Overview of Aerospace QMS Standards The aerospace industry has developed specialized quality management system standards that build upon ISO 9001 to address the unique requirements of aviation, space, and defense products. AS9100 (and its regional equivalents EN 9100 and JISQ 9100) is the primary aerospace quality management system standard, applicable to organizations that design, develop, and produce aviation, space,…

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The Aerospace Supply Chain Imperative The aerospace industry demands the highest levels of quality and reliability from every link in its supply chain. Aircraft components, engines, avionics, and structural elements must perform flawlessly under extreme conditions for extended periods, with failure consequences that can be catastrophic. This imperative drives aerospace supply chain management practices that are among the most…

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