AS9100 Consulting – Aerospace Quality Management

CVG Strategy AS9100 Consulting Team has implemented AS9100D at many companies over the years, and its AS9100 Consulting services are focused on helping small- to medium-sized operations.

AS9100 Requirements and the ISO 9001 Standard

AS9100 is a quality management system specifically developed for the aerospace industry.   The standard was created in 1999.  Since then it has been widely adopted by manufactures and suppliers in the industry.  It was written by the Society of Automotive Engineers and the European Association of Aerospace Industries.  

The standard is based on the QMS structure defined in ISO 9001, and includes all of its requirements.  AS 9100D then added additional requirements relating to quality and safety.  Many major aerospace manufacturers and suppliers worldwide require compliance and/or registration to AS9100 as a condition of doing business with them.

AS9100 uses the High-Level System (HLS) established when ISO 9001:2015 was released in the fall of 2015.  This HLS allows ease of use between standards and helps companies implement complex multi-standard quality management systems.  CVG Strategy’s AS9100 Consulting Experts have prepared several multi-standard quality management systems for its customers (AS9100D & ISO 9001:2015 & Aerospace Customer Standard, AS9100D & AAR M-1003 [Rail Roads]).

AS9100D was modified to align to match ISO 9001:2015 quality management system requirements.  In fact the entire standard is included in the D revision.  Additionally several modifications were added to address specific requirements of the aviation, space, and defense industries.  These include:

1. Increased emphasis on Product Safety.
2. Increased emphasis on the requirement for risk assessment in operational processes.
3. Consideration of human factors in the work environment e.g. (distraction, fatigue, lack of resources, lack of knowledge).
4. Improvement in stakeholder requirement assessment through configuration management.
5. A reinforcement for individual awareness of product and service quality and safety.  This also pertains to ethical behavior in the performance of these tasks.
6. Measures to prevent the introduction of counterfeit parts into the supply chain.
7. Risk management processes to identify and mitigate all organizational risk and track mitigation efforts.

AS9100 a Requirement for Aviation, Space, and Defense Industries

Many Defense companies, in addition to those making aircraft and aircraft components and subsystems, are requiring their suppliers to have an AS9100D Certified Quality Management System.  If you are making parts or providing services for defense systems or components, and you have not had this requirement made yet, it is only a matter of time. 

AS9100 certification is already a hard requirement for conducting business with Lockheed, Boeing, Northrop, Cessna, Embraer and others.  In the past three years, Harris, DRS, L-3, General Dynamics and many other major defense manufacturers and contractors are requiring that their supply chain all have AS9100D quality systems.

CVG Strategy AS9100 Consultants

CVG Strategy’s quality consultancy team can help your organization implement an AS 9100 quality management system effectively and painlessly.  Our consulting services will guide you through all phases of QMS, from assessment and development to the certification process.  This includes:

1. AS9100 Consulting and Training
2. GAP Analysis and Reporting
3. QMS Plan and Schedule
4. Training
5. Preparation of Procedures, Work Instructions, Forms and Policy
6. Internal Auditor Training
7. Coaching and Implementation
8. Pre-Audit Support
9. Post-Audit Support

CVG Strategy also provides the inclusion of statutory requirements for export compliance into your program.  A compliance program is a requirement for both the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations. (EAR).  Ask our experts how we can provide this feature into your quality management system.

There are many consulting companies providing support in ISO 9001:2015. What sets CVG Strategy apart from the rest is our approach. We fine-tune our statement of work depending on your capability and goals. Some clients have us serve as an advisor while they generate the documentation and implement the program themselves.

Many of our clients outsource the Quality Manager role to one of our experts, and we write the quality manual and supporting documentation set and provide all the training.  Some use our expertise to include other quality guidelines and standards into their ISO 9001:2015 QMS including food, hazardous materials and department of defense.

Additionally, CVG Strategy can provide you with Quality Management training courses that will empower your team to achieve in a QMS environment.

There are many AS9100 Consulting firms providing support in AS9100D.    What makes CVG Strategy different is that we have managed supplier in aerospace and defense. We comprehend the difficulties you face and are committed to customizing an aviation management system that satisfies your particular organizational needs. This will enable your organization to continuously enhance itself while expanding and guaranteeing compliance with all regulatory obligations.

We fine-tune our statement of work depending on your capability and goals.  Many clients have us serve as an advisor while they generate the documentation and implement the program themselves.   Others outsource the Quality Manager role to one of our experts, and we write the complete documentation set and provide all the training.  All CVG Strategy quality experts are Exemplar Global Certified Lead Auditors for AS9100D.

Photo by Brad Kiracofe