Decoding Compliance & Manufacturing Lingo

Aerospace QMS

An Aerospace Quality Management System (QMS) is a structured framework of documented processes, policies, and procedures designed to ensure that aerospace products and services meet specified quality and safety requirements. This system encompasses all phases of the product lifecycle, including design, development, manufacturing, testing, maintenance, and service delivery. 

AS9100 Key Characteristics

Key characteristics are product features, process parameters, or material properties that can significantly affect product safety, performance, fit, function, producibility, or service life. In AS9100 (Aerospace Quality Management Systems standard), organizations must identify and control these characteristics throughout design, production, and service delivery.

AS9100 Risk Management

Risk management in AS9100 refers to the systematic process of identifying, assessing, and addressing risks that could affect product conformity, on-time delivery, or customer satisfaction in aerospace manufacturing and service operations. AS9100 Rev D introduced explicit risk-based thinking requirements that extend beyond the risk considerations in ISO 9001.

DFARS Compliance

DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) compliance refers to adherence to procurement regulations that supplement the Federal Acquisition Regulation for United States Department of Defense contracts. These regulations impose specific requirements on defense contractors and their supply chains regarding cybersecurity, cost accounting, material sourcing, and other operational aspects.

FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation within the United States and surrounding international waters. The FAA manages the National Airspace System, certifies aircraft and airmen, operates air traffic control systems, and enforces aviation safety regulations. Its primary mandate is to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations.

ISO 9001

ISO 9001 is an international management system standard that specifies requirements for a Quality Management System (QMS). Organizations use the standard to demonstrate their ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Internal Audit

An internal audit is a systematic examination of an organization's quality management system, processes, and records conducted by personnel employed by or contracted to the organization itself. Internal audits assess whether the organization's quality system conforms to its own documented procedures and applicable standards such as ISO 9001 or AS9100.

NADCAP

NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) is an accreditation program administered by the Performance Review Institute (PRI) for aerospace and defense industry suppliers. The program focuses on special processes such as heat treating, welding, chemical processing, and non-destructive testing that are critical to aerospace component manufacturing.

NADCAP Accreditation

NADCAP accreditation is a formal recognition issued by the Performance Review Institute (PRI) confirming that a supplier's special processes meet aerospace industry technical requirements. Accreditation is process-specific, covering operations such as welding, heat treating, chemical processing, and non-destructive testing.

NADCAP Special Processes

NADCAP special processes are manufacturing operations that cannot be fully verified through subsequent inspection or testing because their results are not readily apparent until the product is in use. These processes require specific controls, qualified personnel, and validated procedures to ensure consistent, acceptable results.