First Article Inspection 9102
Carl Zimmerman
Sept,2013
 Purpose:
•The purpose of the First Article Inspection is to give
objective evidence that all engineering, design and
specification requirements are correctly understood,
accounted for, verified, and recorded. The purpose
of this standard is to provide a consistent
documentation requirement for aerospace
components FAI.
Why is First Article Inspection important?
 Aerospace design and manufacture is complex
• Requirements are stringent (eg. MBD, tolerances,
performance, etc.)
• Reliance on Specifications (material, process,
methods, etc.)
 Conformance to all design requirements is
required
• Public Safety – We all fly
• Demonstrate product conformance, with objective
evidence
Why is First Article Inspection important?
 FAI is a fundamental QMS process
• Verifies that defined manufacturing methods, tooling,
equipment, training, instructions, etc. results in
conformance to design
• Ensures nonconformances are identified, and action is
taken, until results conform to design
• Not just a quality records generating process for inspection
• Involves all Product Realization related departments (e.g.
Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Tooling,
etc.)
• FAI process is concurrent with product planning and
manufacture
Why is First Article Inspection important?
 Continual Improvement activity
• Formal QMS process (e.g. requirements, process definition,
quality records, assigned personnel, etc.)
• Drives change to the applicable QMS process, as part of
corrective action process
• Design, Procurement, Manufacturing, Tooling, Equipment, etc.
• Supports cost reduction (Cost of poor quality)
• Eliminate repetitive nonconformances
• Eliminate/reduce NoEs (First Part and on)
• Supports improved delivery
• Stable and controlled production processes
• On-time delivery commitments
Why is First Article Inspection important?
• FAI Planning needs to begin with production
planning
• Detailed FAI procedures are important for
level setting with customers
• Complete FAI needs to be presented with first
production delivery
• Dealing with non conforming characteristicsnew part after RCCA verification
• Questions on why FAI is critical?
• REV A- B changes