Definition
AS9102 (SAE AS9102, currently revision AS9102C) is the aerospace industry standard defining the requirements for a First Article Inspection (FAI): what a First Article Inspection Report must contain, including a full dimensional and characteristic accountability of the part, keyed back to the drawing or model.1 It is widely required by aerospace primes and their suppliers, and adopted internationally as IAQG 9102.
Why AS9102 compliance is more thorough than an informal first article check
An AS9102-compliant FAI is significantly more thorough (and time-consuming) than an informal first article check, since it requires accounting for every characteristic on the drawing individually, which is why AS9102 requirements should be identified early, not discovered partway through a first article process.
Where AS9102 requirements appear
Called out as a note or specification requiring an AS9102-compliant FAI, typically for aerospace or defense parts, rather than implied by the geometry alone.
Common mistakes
Starting a first article inspection without confirming whether AS9102 compliance is required; retrofitting a full AS9102 characteristic accountability after an informal FAI is far more work than planning for it upfront.
An AS9102-compliant FAI is significantly more thorough (and time-consuming) than an informal first article check, since it requires accounting for every characteristic on the drawing individually, which is why AS9102 requirements should be identified early, not discovered partway through a first article process.
See how Blake reviews a partFrequently asked questions
Is AS9102 the same as a general first article inspection?
AS9102 is a specific, formal standard for how an FAI must be documented and conducted, more rigorous than an informal first article check.
Who typically requires AS9102 compliance?
Aerospace primes and their supply chains, and organizations following the IAQG 9102 standard internationally.
What does an AS9102 report require?
A full accounting of every dimensional and other characteristic on the part's drawing or model, keyed back to that specific requirement.
Notes & references
- SAE International (2023). AS9102C — Aerospace Series: First Article Inspection Requirements. SAE International standard, adopted internationally as IAQG 9102. https://www.sae.org/standards/content/as9102c/ The current revision of the aerospace industry standard defining First Article Inspection Report requirements, cited here as the authoritative source.