AS9102 is the aerospace industry standard governing First Article Inspection (FAI). Published by SAE International and aligned with EN 9102, it defines the requirements for verifying that a production process can consistently produce parts conforming to design requirements.
The standard applies to the first production article of a new or revised part, after a process change, or following a lapse in production. It does not cover development or prototype parts unless specifically invoked by contract.
AS9102 is organized into three mandatory forms: Form 1 (Design Documentation Accountability), Form 2 (Product Accountability), and Form 3 (Characteristic Accountability). Each form captures a different layer of evidence that the part and its manufacturing process meet the design intent.
Compliance with AS9102 is routinely required by aerospace primes (Airbus, Boeing, Safran, Thales, etc.) and is audited under AS9100-certified quality management systems.
Concrete example
A machined titanium bracket entering production for the first time requires a full AS9102 FAI: the supplier completes Forms 1, 2, and 3, submits them with measurement records, and the prime approves before serial production begins.