Determining Requirements and Scope for Partial First Article Inspections
Published .
Related
- AS9100
Topics
- fai
- partial-fai
- cots
- delta-fai
- configuration-control
A manufacturing organization incorporates standard commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware items requiring post-procurement machining operations to fulfill design requirements. Concurrently, routine engineering definition changes occurred on previously qualified production parts, prompting questions regarding the necessity and scope of first article re-accomplishment.
The quality team lacked a consistent evaluation process for determining when modifications invalidate prior inspection baselines, leading to uncertainty over whether altered standard parts require delta verification or a full baseline FAI.
Best Practice
Conduct a documented partial FAI whenever engineering revisions, manufacturing process changes, or post-procurement modifications to standard COTS items alter part definition. Engage a cross-functional team to assess change impact and accurately record baseline FAI references and modified characteristics per AS9102 requirements.
Reflects the recommended position based on community discussion and expert review.
Continue the conversation
Have a different interpretation or recent experience that adds nuance? The community keeps lessons sharp.
Ask LINK
Get an instant AS9102-grounded answer from our FAI assistant. The fastest path to a working answer for your own situation.

