Glossary
First Article Inspection Definition
First article inspection (FAI) is a documented examination of a representative production part against its engineering design record and requirements.
First article inspection (FAI) is a documented examination of a representative production part against its engineering design record and requirements. It verifies that the planned production process can produce conforming hardware. AS9102 is a recognized aerospace FAI standard, while customer requirements determine applicability.
First article inspection definition explained
First article inspection is the documented comparison of a representative production part against its released drawing and specifications. It confirms the process, tooling and methods can make conforming parts before full production. For example, a machined bracket is measured and recorded on a first article inspection report before the run continues.
Typical FAI parameters and variants
| Parameter | Typical range | Standard or source |
|---|---|---|
| Characteristic conformance | Per released drawing and specifications; no universal numerical range. | AS9102 and customer requirements. |
| Sample selection | Representative first article; exact rules are customer-specific. | AS9102 and contractual requirements. |
| Record retention | Contract-specific; unverified universally. | Customer quality clauses and quality system. |
How first article inspection is used in manufacturing
- Complete part and assembly forms: traceable; documentation-intensive.
- Measure first production representative: realistic; may expose setup issues.
- Review deviations and corrective actions: prevents premature approval; can delay release.
- Repeat after qualifying changes: maintains traceability; adds cost and time.
FAI differs from PPAP, which is a broader automotive production-part approval package, and from routine inspection, which monitors ongoing production. SR collects quotes from a vetted supplier network and manages quality and inspection, with quote turnaround of 5-7 working days.
Related terms
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FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between FAI and PPAP?
FAI verifies a representative article against requirements; PPAP is a broader automotive production-part approval package. FAI focuses on the first article and process evidence, while PPAP covers a wider set of production approval elements.
When is first article inspection required?
Applicability is determined by customer requirements and contractual clauses. AS9102 is a recognized aerospace FAI standard, but the exact triggers and reporting rules are set by the customer and quality system.
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