Aerospace Basic Quality System Standard

The paper reviews the development, publication by SAE and implementation of the first quality system standard to combine the specific quality system requirements of DOD, NASA and the FAA for the aerospace industry into a single document built upon ISO 9001. The standard was developed under the sponsorship of the Aviation/Space and Defense Division of the American Society for Quality Control to fill the void that was created when the traditional military quality system standards were canceled. The need for the standard was precipitated by the proliferation of supplemental documents being imposed by the prime aerospace suppliers on their suppliers. The participation of eleven prime manufacturers and major suppliers to establish this standard is discussed. The paper focuses on the unique industry specific aspects of the standard and their impact upon the industry. Clarification of the intent of the Writing Team that developed the standard is included. The position of the FAA on the use of the standard is reported along with the revisions underway to the FAA 14 CFR Parts 1, 21 and 45 to incorporate the standard. The method for obtaining third party certification to the standard is presented and the current position of the FAA on the reliance on third-party registrars is provided. The standard is compared to similar documents in Germany, France and England and the international effort to harmonize these standards is reported. Included are the reasons for selection of the SAE as the custodian for the standard