What is AS13100?
AS13100 (SAE Aerospace Standard) is the aerospace equivalent of automotive PPAP: it defines first article submission requirements for suppliers in the aerospace supply chain. It builds on AS9100 (aerospace QMS) while incorporating automotive-derived product and process validation requirements (APQP, FMEA, control plans).
Unlike standard automotive PPAP, AS13100 is calibrated for aerospace-specific requirements: enhanced material traceability, Nadcap certification for special processes, and FAI per AS9102.
AIAG-VDA FMEA: the harmonised risk analysis method
AIAG-VDA FMEA (2019) is the harmonised Failure Mode and Effects Analysis methodology merging American (AIAG) and German (VDA) approaches. It is adopted by both automotive and increasingly aerospace. The two main types are:
- DFMEA (Design FMEA) — analyses design-related risks
- PFMEA (Process FMEA) — analyses manufacturing process risks
The link between FMEA and drawing ballooning
PFMEA identifies critical and significant product characteristics. These must be:
- Identified on the technical drawing (often with a special symbol: inverted triangle, diamond, star depending on the customer)
- Ballooned as a priority — special characteristics often receive a distinct balloon style (square balloon, double circle, coloured balloon)
- Documented in Form 3 with a "special characteristic" or "CC/SC" indicator
- Covered in the Control Plan with reinforced inspection frequencies
Rigorous ballooning creates the traceable link: FMEA → ballooned drawing → Form 3 → Control Plan.
BullePlan: AS13100 and AIAG-VDA FMEA compliant ballooning
BullePlan generates a ballooned drawing and results table directly usable in an AS13100 package: sequential numbering of all characteristics including CC/SC, AS9102 Form 3 export compatible with AS13100 dimensional requirements, AI extraction of nominal values and tolerances including GD&T and title block tolerances, and a results table directly referenceable in your Control Plan.
For more on AS13100, PPAP and FAIR, see ppap-fai.approche-qualite.fr.