Introduction

AS13100 is the brainchild of the AESQ. The AESQ (Aerospace Engine Supplier Quality) are a ‘strategy group’, formed in 2013 by Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, GE Aviation, and Safran Aircraft Engines, and now comprising of over a dozed corporate members. It provides a framework designed to foster zero defects and on-time delivery of products within the aeroengine design and production sectors.

With an increasing level of supplier-made engine content (currently more than 70%), and a large number of ‘shared’ suppliers between aero engine manufacturers, improving quality, cost and delivery is a key challenge facing the industry.

“because of the criticality of aero-engines and the consequences of any nonconformances the requirements are far more stringent than on other commodity on the aircraft” (Dr Ian Riggs – Rolls-Royce)

Creation of the standard has addressed regulators’ (EASA, UK CAA, FAA) and aircraft operators’ requirements for the aero engine suppliers, which can be flowed down as applicable requirements to the supply chain using common terminology, processes and specifications.

the upshot has been the realization that “one is best”

As with ISO 9001 and AS9100, not all requirements will be applicable to all types of supplier. For example, if the supplier is ‘make-to-print’ then requirements relating to product design and development would not be applicable.

AS13100 provides a detailed cross-reference table relating supplier organization types to their applicable requirements

Inevitable customer-specific ‘contractual requirements’ are kept to a minimum.

AS13100 aims and scope

AS13100 aims to harmonize and simplify customer requirements across the supply chain. It helps reduce variability and ensures a more consistent approach to quality management.

the same standards, the same ways of working and a common language for quality

The AS13100 standard incorporates AS9100 and AS9145 requirements in their entirety and adds supplementary requirements and defect prevention ‘quality tools’ in three CHAPTERS –

🔆CHAPTER A🔆 contains supplemental requirements added to AS9100. Collectively these contain the Quality Management Systems (QMS) requirements

🔆CHAPTER B🔆 contains supplemental requirements added to AS9145 Collectively these contain the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) requirements

🔆CHAPTER C🔆 contains the AESQ supplemental requirements associated with Core Defect Prevention Quality Tools to support APQP and PPAP –

✔Design Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (DFMEA)

─       Product Key Characteristics (KCs)

✔Process Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (PFMEA) and Control Plans

─       Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs)

─       Process Key Characteristics (KC)

─       Production Control Plan (CP)

✔Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)

─       variable measurements

─       attribute measurements

✔Process Control Methods & SPC

─       KCs and Critical Items (CIs) – multiple features

─       Cpk ≥ 1.33

─       ongoing control and improvement + appropriate SPC

Other relevant quality tools topics that support zero defects and on-time delivery include –

✔8-D Problem Solving for Aviation & Defence (ARP9136)

✔Human factors in manufacturing

✔FOD Prevention Program (AS9146)

✔Counterfeit parts prevention (AS5553, IEC TS 62668-1 & AS9100)

Challenges and benefits for suppliers

The emphasis on zero defects and timely delivery is vital for maintaining the operational efficiency of the aeroengine manufactures and their customers, as delays can lead to significant financial and operational disruptions.

security and safety of people is the number one priority and is delivering the industry’s outstanding level of safety

Integration with existing quality management systems, such as AS9100 and AS9145, is a key feature of AS13100. This allows supplier organizations to leverage their current systems by incorporating the additional requirements and best practices demanded by the global aeroengine manufacturers.

key ingredients are standardization and collaboration

Compliance for supplier organizations is simplified, as they no longer need to navigate a patchwork of different customer requirements. Rather, they can focus on meeting a single set of AS13100 criteria, which facilitates smoother operations and enhances collaboration at all levels of and the supply chain.

AS13100 is NOT subject to third-party certification

Compliance with AS13100 requirements is maintained through a combination of self‑auditing (using an authorized checklist), annual reporting, and customer audits. These mechanisms provide ongoing oversight and encourage continuous improvement, helping to maintain high standards of quality, delivery and effectiveness.

Nevertheless, QMS certification to either ISO 9001 or AS9100 is required as applicable.

for ‘audit leads’ a certified Aerospace Lead Auditor qualification is mandated and certified Internal Auditor Qualification for others

In addition, auditors should have a technical degree or similar with a minimum 1‑year functional experience (e.g. quality, engineering, manufacturing) or a minimum 3-years of quality functional experience.

Deploying and maintaining AS13100

The priority is to achieve and maintain applicable compliance with AS13100 requirements with demonstrable competency in the use of the several key quality planning tools.

Training and qualification of lead/internal auditors is accomplished by training and examination provided by approved training providers delivering IRCA/CQI, IAQG and/or Probitas Authentication certified courses –

Aerospace Lead Auditor

5-day face-to-face course

Aerospace Internal Auditor

2-day face-to-face course

16-hour e-learning course

Key quality tools

Developing competency in the key quality planning tools is supported by the AESQ Reference Manuals (RM13XXX) which are downloadable free of charge at their website focused on the ‘quality tools’ –

AESQ supplementary materials

Detailed face-to-face and e-Learning courses are also provided by TEC Transnational –

AS13100 Aerospace/Defence Mandatory + Supporting Quality Planning Tools

Future developments

AS13100 will change every 5 years and is currently under revision to ensure that the standard is simple, prescriptive, and auditable. The AESQ vision remains constant: “To enable and accelerate the achievement of Zero Defects and a quality first culture across the global aero engine supply chain”.

It is the Reference Manuals (RMs) that will be updated frequently in order to capture new information and best practice and will continue to be available for free download from the AESQ website.

Also, the current revision of AS9100 will be re-published early in 2026 as IA9100 to embrace the new ISO 9001:2025 standard, and will place increased emphasis on APQP, Ethical Behaviour, Organization Culture and make FOD, Prevention of Counterfeit Parts and SMS mandatory requirements.

AS13100 will, of course, be revised to address these changes.