The aerospace standard, AS9100C—“Quality management systems—Requirements for aviation, space and defense organizations,” (aka AS9100:2009 Revision C) has been released for some time now, and the early results are in. For the most part, our customers, those of National Quality Assurance (NQA), that have transitioned to the new standard, have successfully navigated myriad new deadlines, rules, requirements, and even new audit report forms to enjoy successful audits. Feedback to date from both auditors and customers about the best way to prepare for and eventually get registered to this new standard is significant, though we have done our best to outline the high points below.

First things first

Step one in your journey is to get a copy of the latest version of the AS9100C standard, which was published January 2009, (or AS9110A—“Quality management systems—Requirements for aviation maintenance organizations,” or AS9120A—“Quality management systems—Requirements for aviation, space and defense distributors,” both published June 2009), and understand the new additions, subtractions, and revisions.

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