Inspection characteristic

Teams should choose full FAI when there is no valid prior baseline for the current part configuration and production method. Partial FAI is appropriate only when an existing FAI remains valid and the team can clearly define which characteristics, operations, materials, tools, or sources were affected by a change.

In a partial FAI, unchanged characteristics are usually not remeasured if a documented impact assessment shows they were not affected by the change. They should still be traceable to a prior accepted FAI, with clear references, rationale, and customer-specific requirements checked before relying on carry-forward evidence.

A production lapse commonly triggers FAI re-evaluation at the AS9102 or customer-defined threshold, often two years. It does not always require a full FAI; partial FAI may be acceptable if the prior baseline, revision, process, tooling, source, and evidence remain valid.

The organization performing the first article inspection is normally responsible for completing the AS9102 forms. In practice, quality coordinates the package, but engineering, manufacturing, inspection, purchasing, and suppliers may all provide controlled inputs. Final accountability depends on contract flowdown and approved procedures.