Technical Seminar on the Standard for Aerospace Quality Management System (AS 9100)

The technical seminar on "The Standard for Aerospace Quality Management System (AS9100)" was organized by Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Section (MIES), IET Hong Kong and co-organized by Plastics Technology Centre of Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) on 18 Feb 2012. Hong Kong Society for Quality was one of supporting organizations.

Firstly, Ir. SL Mak (OC Chairman) gave a welcoming speech.

Then Mr. Samson Suen (Senior Consultant, HKPC) gave an opening speech. He introduced Hong Kong Aviation Industry Association (HKAIA), which was established on 29th August 2006. HKAIA aims to better promote the development and enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's aviation industry.

The first speaker was Mr. Horace Leung (Consultant, HKPC) and his presentation topic was "Internal Audit on AS 9100".

AQMS standard series was mentioned below.

- AS/EN/JIS 9100 Rev C (Applicable for Aerospace Design & Manufacturing)

- AS/EN 9110 (Applicable for Aerospace Maintenance (MRO))

- AS/EN 9120 (Applicable for Aerospace Stockist / Distributors)

- AS 9003 (Applicable for Aerospace Inspection and Testing)

Then Mr. Leung introduced IAQG Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS) and the worldwide AQMS certification information in the following table.

Five steps AS9100 application procedure was briefed.

After briefed the internal audit skill on AS9100, Mr. Leung introduced AS 9100:2009 Reference Handbook which published by HKPC.

In AS9101D Appendix A, Objective Evidence Record (OER) was used during on-site QMS audit.

Ir. MK Lam (Membership Development (Academic), IET HK) introduced IET membership and professional Qualification.

The second speaker was Mr. Alex Chau (Consultant, HKPC) and his topic named "Introduction on Global Aviation Quality Management System AS 9100".

Before his topic, he showed the news about "Landing Gear Failure" in Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lrHKY4DyUA . It showed that quality is so important for the human live.

The International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) organization structure was briefed.

AS 9100 series diagram showed the different standards relationship.

He also explained AS9100 quality standard defined approximately 60 additional requirement over ISO 9001:2008.

If no AS 9100 certification, additional audit days will be added to the assessment on it's special processes during National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) accreditation

AS 9100 clauses structure was mentioned.

Then Mr. Alex Chau pointed out some important clauses in Clause 3 to be discussed.

- Risk (An undesirable situation or circumstance that has both a likelihood of occurring and a potentially negative consequence)

- Special Requirements (Design Input)

- Critical Items (Design Input)

- Key Characteristic (Design Input & SPC)

Clause 7 was also discussed.

- Project Management

- Risk Management

- Configuration Management (Product configuration management planning, identification, change control, status accounting and audit)

- Control of Work Transfers (e.g. From one organization facility to another, from the organization to a supplier, from one supplier to another supplier, in which should verify the conformity of the work to requirements)

The configuration audit separated into Functional Configuration Audit (FCA) and Physical Configuration Audit (PCA).

Two more clauses were pointed out which were very important. The first clause was 7.5.3 Identification and Traceability and the second clause was 8.3 Control of Nonconforming Product.

In clause 8.3, product dispositioned for scrap shall be conspicuosly and permanently marked, or positively controlled, until physically rendered unusable. It was because of avoiding the recycle of the NC product for safety concern.

The guest speaker was Mr. Paul Tsang (Management Representative, Leach International Asia Pacific (LIAP) and his presentation was "Experience sharing of implementing in AS 9100". Firstly, he introduce LIAP which had established since 1919. LIAP was one of suppliers in aerospace industry supply chain for power system. He said that processes were improved during implementation of AS 9100 such as lead time reduction and avoiding information loss. He mentioned one of important items was First Article Inspection (FAI). Finally, he explained why implement AS 9100. It was because of Safety First.

Q&A session

I asked a question about comparison of difficulty between AS 9100 and ISO/TS 16949. Mr. Alex Chau replied that AS 9100 system establishment was found less difficult than ISO/TS 16949. However, the concept of implementation on safety aspect was consistent. For AS 9100, product needed for ground test and flight test.

Group photo (Speakers, Organizers and Supporting Organizations)

Reference:

Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Section (MIES), IET Hong Kong - http://www.iee.org.hk/iee/eng/about/hkcentre.jsp

Plastics Technology Centre of HKPC - http://www.hkpc.org/ptc/

Hong Kong Aviation Industry Association (HKAIA) - http://www.hkaia.org.hk/