AS9100 Aviation, Space, and Defense QMS Auditor Training

Operational Auditing and Quality Assurance October 25, 2025
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Introduction

This advanced auditor training provides the necessary skills to audit a Quality Management System (QMS) against the stringent requirements of the AS9100 standard, specifically tailored for the Aviation, Space, and Defense (ASD) industry. The course thoroughly covers the standard's unique requirements, including statutory and regulatory compliance, product safety, critical items, and counterfeit parts prevention. Participants will learn to conduct audits that ensure conformity, drive performance, and manage the high-risk environment inherent in the ASD supply chain. The training is crucial for those who must ensure the highest levels of quality and safety in this highly regulated sector.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the history, structure, and unique requirements of AS9100 (Series).
  • Interpret the specific clauses related to product safety, critical items, and special requirements.
  • Apply the principles of auditing to the highly regulated ASD environment.
  • Audit the processes for risk management, configuration management, and design and development.
  • Assess compliance with statutory, regulatory, and customer-specific ASD requirements.
  • Conduct effective audits of the organization's counterfeit parts prevention process.
  • Plan, execute, and report on a full AS9100 internal audit.
  • Identify and document nonconformities specific to the ASD sector.

Target Audience

  • Quality Managers and Engineers in the ASD sector.
  • Internal and Supplier Auditors for AS9100 certified organizations.
  • Personnel responsible for regulatory compliance (FAA, EASA, DoD).
  • Design, Manufacturing, and Maintenance personnel requiring audit knowledge.
  • Consultants assisting in AS9100 implementation.
  • Top Management seeking to understand AS9100 compliance risks.

Methodology

  • Detailed Case Studies based on ASD scenarios (e.g., FAI failure).
  • Practical Exercises on Auditing Product Safety and Critical Items.
  • Group Discussions on Counterfeit Parts Prevention auditing techniques.
  • Simulated Audit Role-Playing (Interviewing Design and Manufacturing staff).
  • Application of the process approach to AS9100 elements.

Personal Impact

  • Gain industry-specific, recognized auditor qualification for AS9100.
  • Develop expertise in auditing high-consequence QMS requirements (e.g., product safety).
  • Improve critical thinking about systemic risks in the ASD supply chain.
  • Increase internal value by ensuring robust regulatory and customer compliance.
  • Enhance career mobility within the Aviation, Space, and Defense sectors.
  • Confidence in challenging non-compliant or high-risk practices.

Organizational Impact

  • Assurance of conformity to critical statutory, regulatory, and customer requirements.
  • Reduced risk of product failure, recalls, and major quality incidents.
  • More efficient and targeted internal and supplier auditing processes.
  • Improved supply chain control and reduced risk from counterfeit parts.
  • Enhanced business reputation and continued eligibility to work in the ASD sector.
  • Stronger culture of quality and product safety throughout the organization.

Course Outline

Unit 1: The ASD Quality Landscape and AS9100 Fundamentals

Section 1.1: ASD Industry Context
  • Overview of the Aviation, Space, and Defense (ASD) industry structure.
  • Understanding the relationship between AS9100 and ISO 9001.
  • Interpreting the unique clauses and sector-specific additions in AS9100.
  • The importance of statutory, regulatory, and customer requirements in ASD.
Section 1.2: High-Risk AS9100 Clauses
  • Auditing Product Safety and the related QMS requirements.
  • Auditing the prevention of Counterfeit Parts.
  • Configuration Management and Critical Items auditing.
  • First Article Inspection (FAI) requirements (AS9102) and auditing.

Unit 2: Audit Process and Techniques for AS9100

Section 2.1: Specialized Auditing
  • Applying the principles of ISO 19011 to the ASD environment.
  • The importance of process auditing versus element auditing in AS9100.
  • Auditor competence and ethics in a high-consequence industry.

Unit 3: Auditing Key AS9100 Processes

Section 3.1: Risk, Design, and Supply Chain
  • Auditing the organizational context, leadership, and quality policy.
  • Effective auditing of the Risk Management process and its link to the QMS.
  • Auditing Design and Development controls and validation processes.
  • Advanced auditing of the external provider (supply chain) processes.

Unit 4: Auditing Operations and Performance

Section 4.1: Control of Production and Service Provision
  • Auditing special processes and their validation.
  • Process control, monitoring, and measurement requirements.
  • Auditing nonconforming outputs and the corrective action process.
  • Audit techniques for human factors and organizational knowledge.

Unit 5: Reporting, Follow-up, and ASD Compliance

Section 5.1: Documentation and Reporting
  • Structuring the AS9100 audit report for clarity and compliance documentation.
  • Writing nonconformity statements with reference to specific AS9100 clauses.
  • Presentation of findings to top management (management review input).
Section 5.2: Corrective Action Verification
  • Evaluating Root Cause Analysis (RCA) effectiveness for high-risk nonconformities.
  • Follow-up verification of corrective actions, particularly for product safety issues.
  • Maintaining audit competence and records.

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