Things to Watch Out for in 2020

The year 2020 is going to prove to be a very interesting year regarding Quality Management Systems and supporting standards within the Aerospace sector.These are my predictions for the year to come.Many organisations within the Aerospace sector, including OEMs and key Tier 1 suppliers are now upskilling their own internal teams with respect to the AS9145 APQP/PPAP standard. 

• Expect to see in 2020 a growing emphasis by the OEMs and Tier 1s within the aerospace sector supply chain, to implement the requirements of AS9145 and hence provide benefits to themselves and their customers.

 Without doubt, this will over time roll out across multiple tiers of the supply chain. Compliance to AS9145 may not currently be mandated to you but you can expect that it will be over the next few years. Why wait until you are told to do it by your customer? Start implementation now and get the full benefits sooner.To be successful in the effective implementation of AS9145, a deeper understanding of the principles of APQP is required, along with the supporting APQP activities. The OEMs and Tier 1s are also growing their understanding of the supporting tools and techniques and will be looking to the supply chain to also strengthen understanding and implementation.

•  Expect to see the following under greater scrutiny in 2020: – Problem solving to AS13000 – Alternative Inspection Frequency Plans to AS13002 – Measurement System Analysis to AS13003 – Process FMEA and Control Plan to AS13004 – Process Control Methods to AS13006
• Also expect greater emphasis during 2020 for Design Risk Analysis, typically with the customer’s expectation of DFMEA or FMECA being conducted.

A number of significant Aerospace sector engine suppliers have grouped together to form the AESQ Strategy Group. This group has worked together to agree a number of industry standards, some of which are listed above. The AESQ sponsors a bi-annual conference for interested parties within the Aerospace supply chain, with the most recent being held in Toulouse during October 2019. The message was very clear; the standards are written – it’s time to implement them.

• Expect to see the attendance at the AESQ conference grow in 2020. The next AESQ conference will be held at the Shanghai Crowne Plaza, Shanghai on the 22nd April 2020 from 08.30 to 17.30 – I hope to see you there.
•  Expect zero defects to be a growing theme for 2020.

It was part of the key messaging from last year’s AESQ conference; adopting a zero defects culture is becoming a key survival mantra for the industry. If the OEMs and supply chain do not get on board with a zero defects approach, there will not be a commercial aircraft sector in the future. From accepted Aerospace sector sources, the number of aircraft in the air doubles every 15 years. It is predicted that if the level of product reliability/quality stays at its current levels, by 2036 there will be 2 serious incidents a week, with many of them resulting in plane crashes. I cannot see any government allowing airlines to consider that as being acceptable.

•  Expect to see the success of the Industry Forum AQMS event grow during 2020.

The team at Industry Forum collects key players from the Automotive Sector and brings them together for an annual conference. This event is billed as the AQMS and will be held on the 20th and 21st of October 2020. Although primarily aimed at the Automotive sector, much of the subject content and discussions could equally be applied to the Aerospace sector. It provides a good opportunity to meet other Quality industry professionals and make networking contacts. More details of this event will be published soon.A Bit More About RichardRichard Hammond has over 30 years of auditing and consulting experience within automotive and aerospace sectors. He began his career at Rolls Royce Motors Plc, where he graduated to the role of Maintenance and Installation Engineer, before progressing to his current position as Principal Consultant at Industry Forum via Industrial Robotics and Certification Body Auditing. As a qualified SMMT trainer, Richard delivers the recognised International Automotive Task Force (IATF) ISO/TS16949 Certification Body Auditor training and evaluation. Richard is an approved IATF Witness Auditor and delivers Core Tools training (APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA, FMEA and Control Plan) into major aerospace and automotive OEMs and tier 1 suppliers.Click here to contact Richard.