First Article Inspection (FAIR) reports and AS9102 explained
What a First Article Inspection (FAI) report is, the three AS9102 forms, when a FAIR is required, and how ballooned drawings tie every characteristic to a measured result.
A First Article Inspection (FAI) verifies that a production process, with its tooling, setup, and methods, makes a part that meets every requirement on the engineering drawing and specification. The result is documented in a First Article Inspection Report (FAIR). In aerospace and increasingly in other regulated industries, the FAIR follows the AS9102 standard. This guide covers what a FAIR contains, the AS9102 forms, and when a first article is required.
What a FAIR proves
A FAIR is different from a routine inspection report or a Certificate of Conformance: it validates the process, not just a shipment. Every design characteristic on the drawing is uniquely identified, or “ballooned”, and each one is tied to a requirement, a measurement method, and an actual measured result. The FAIR demonstrates that when the process runs, the parts it produces conform, so subsequent production can be accepted with confidence.
The AS9102 forms
AS9102 structures a FAIR around three forms, each accountable for a different dimension of the first article:
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Form 1: Part Number Accountability | Identifies the part, assembly, and any sub-assemblies covered |
| Form 2: Product Accountability | Records raw materials, special processes, and functional testing |
| Form 3: Characteristic Accountability | Lists every ballooned characteristic with its requirement and result |
The heart of a FAIR is Form 3: every characteristic on the drawing appears, with its nominal, tolerance, and the actual measured value. A missed balloon is a missed requirement.
When a first article is required
- For a new part, or the first production run from a new process or supplier
- After a design change that affects fit, form, or function
- After a change in manufacturing source, location, method, or tooling
- After a lapse in production, where a process may have drifted
- Whenever a customer or contract specifies FAI as a requirement
Producing a FAIR you can trust
A FAIR is a controlled record that ties measured results to a specific drawing revision, so it benefits from a fixed, traceable structure rather than a hand-built spreadsheet each time. When a defect is found during first-article or production inspection, it feeds a non-conformance report for disposition. DataSheets Pro provides a structured starting point for inspection documentation; confirming that your FAIR meets AS9102 and your customer’s requirements remains your responsibility.
Start from the templateFirst Article Inspection Report template: free & editable
Account for the part, its materials and processes, and every characteristic against the drawing, then export a print-ready FAIR as a PDF, free to start.
Open the template →Standardize this in DataSheets Pro
Turn what you just read into a repeatable, on-brand template, with no design tools required.