An aerospace part without documentation is just a piece of metal with no traceable history — and traceability is often the actual product, as much as the part itself.
Quick summary: Aerospace parts typically ship with material certifications, a Certificate of Conformance, and — depending on program requirements — an AS9102 First Article Inspection report. Documentation requirements are usually specified in the purchase order or drawing notes and should be confirmed before production, not after.
What Is a Certificate of Conformance?
A signed statement that the part was manufactured in accordance with the purchase order and drawing requirements. It’s the baseline documentation on nearly every aerospace order.
What Material Certifications Are Typically Required?
Mill certifications tracing the raw material lot back to its source, confirming chemical composition and mechanical properties meet the specified material standard.
When Is a Full AS9102 FAI Report Required Versus a Simpler C of C?
Depends on the program and whether the part is new, has changed, or is being sourced from a new supplier — see our companion piece on First Article Inspection for the specific triggers.
Who Decides What Documentation a Given Order Needs?
The customer’s purchase order and drawing notes should specify exactly what’s required. When it’s ambiguous, confirming before production starts avoids a documentation gap discovered at delivery.
FAQ
Is documentation different for AS9100D-certified suppliers versus non-certified ones? AS9100D establishes the quality management system a certified supplier operates under, which shapes how documentation is generated and controlled — but specific deliverable documents still depend on the purchase order.
Can documentation be provided electronically? Typically yes, depending on customer requirements and format preferences specified in the order.
Sources: SAE AS9100D; SAE AS9102. Related: Frequently Asked Questions