Introduction

The requirements for registration of an aerospace manufacturer's quality management system to AS 9100 are contained in SAE AIR 5359, Requirements for Registration of Quality Systems to AS9000 or AS9100, developed by the American Aerospace Quality Group (AAQG).

AS-9000 Aerospace Basic Quality System Standard

AS-9000 was published in August 1997 by the American Aerospace Quality Group (AAQG) . The AS-9000 standard has been based on input by a number of large aerospace prime contractors, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, GE Aircraft Engines and others. It replaced the SAE ARD 9000:1996.

ISO-9100 (AS-9100 / PrEN-91000 / SJAC-9100)

Aerospace Technical Committee TC-20 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), supported by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) and working in association with the AAQG in the United States, European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA) in Europe and other countries such as China, Japan, Mexico and Brazil, developed a quality system standard for use by aerospace companies. In late 1999, ISO 9100:1999 was published. It was released as AS-9100 in the United States, PrEN-9100 in Europe and in Japen by the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies as SJAC- 9100.

AS-9100, like its predecessor, AS 9000, seeks to assure customer satisfaction by having aerospace industry manufacturers produce world class quality products at the lowest possible cost. AS9100 standardizes, to the maximum extent possible, the quality system requirements of the aerospace industry. Standardization of such requirements can result in cost savings due to the elimination or reduction of unique requirements developed for each different customer.