Quality template
First Article Inspection Report (FAIR) Template: Build & Export Free
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.
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Overview
What is a First Article Inspection Report?
A First Article Inspection Report (FAIR) documents a full inspection of a first production part against its engineering requirements, to verify that the manufacturing process can produce conforming parts before a run begins. It's the evidence that a new or changed process has been proven out, characteristic by characteristic.
A FAIR is more thorough than a routine inspection report. It accounts for the part and its sub-assemblies, records the materials and special processes with their certifications, and verifies every design characteristic against the drawing, usually keyed to a "ballooned" drawing where each requirement is numbered. In aerospace, AS9102 defines a common FAIR format (its three forms).
First article inspection is standard in aerospace, automotive, defense and precision manufacturing, and is repeated when the part, process, tooling or supplier changes. It shares a results table with a routine inspection report but answers a different question (has the process been proven to make this part correctly) rather than checking an individual lot (more below).
The fields
What to include in a First Article Inspection Report
A FAIR that proves out a process is complete and traceable to the drawing. These are the sections reviewers expect, and all of them are in the template.
FAIR number and date
A unique report number and date, and the reason for the first article (new part, change, tooling, supplier).
Part identification and revision
The part name and number, the drawing and its revision, because conformance is verified to a specific revision.
Manufacturer, customer and order
The organizations involved and the purchase order, contract or program the first article belongs to.
Part number accountability
The part and its sub-assemblies and details accounted for, so the FAIR covers the whole assembly, not just the top level.
Materials and processes
The materials and special processes used, with their specifications and certification references.
Characteristic accountability
Every design characteristic from the drawing, keyed to a ballooned drawing, so nothing is left unverified.
Requirement, result and tooling
For each characteristic: the drawing requirement, the measured result, and the tooling or gauge used.
Nonconformances
Any characteristic that failed, with its disposition, because the FAIR records reality, not just passes.
Ballooned drawing reference
A reference to the numbered (ballooned) drawing the characteristic accountability maps to.
Sign-off
The name, signature and date of the inspector and the reviewer or approver who accept the first article.
Step by step
How to fill out a First Article Inspection Report
Four passes get you from a blank template to a signed, defensible FAIR.
Identify the part and reason
Enter a FAIR number and date, the part and drawing revision, the customer and order, and why the first article is being run: new part, change, tooling or supplier.
Account for materials and processes
Account for the part and its sub-assemblies, and record the materials and special processes used with their specification and certification references.
Verify every characteristic
Balloon the drawing and record each design characteristic with its requirement, measured result and the tooling or gauge used. Note any nonconformances and their disposition.
Disposition, sign and export
Confirm the overall result, have the inspector and reviewer sign and date it, apply your brand, and export the PDF for the quality record.
Which one
First article inspection vs. inspection report
They share a results table, but answer different questions: one proves out a process, the other checks a lot.
First Article Inspection Report
A full verification of a first production part against every drawing requirement, to prove the process can produce conforming parts, repeated when the part or process changes.
Use to prove out a new or changed part, process, tooling or supplier.
Inspection Report
Verifies a part or lot against its drawing or specification for a given delivery: each characteristic checked, with an accept or reject and an overall disposition.
Use for routine incoming, in-process or final inspection of a lot.
See the Inspection Report template →Get it right
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating a routine inspection report as a first article. A FAIR verifies every characteristic to prove out the process.
- Missing part-number accountability for sub-assemblies and details.
- Not ballooning the drawing, so characteristics can't be traced to requirements.
- Omitting material and special-process certifications.
- Recording a pass/fail summary instead of each characteristic's requirement and measured result.
- Not re-running the FAIR after a change to the part, process, tooling or supplier.
Questions
Frequently asked
What is a First Article Inspection Report?
A FAIR documents a complete inspection of a first production part against its engineering requirements, to verify that the manufacturing process can produce conforming parts. It accounts for the part, its materials and processes, and every drawing characteristic, and is signed off as evidence the process is proven.
What is AS9102?
AS9102 is a widely-used aerospace standard that defines a common format for first article inspection reporting, including its three forms: part number accountability, materials and process accountability, and characteristic accountability. Many industries use its structure even outside aerospace.
What's the difference between a FAIR and an inspection report?
A FAIR verifies every characteristic of a first production part to prove the process can make it correctly, and is repeated when the part or process changes. A routine inspection report checks a part or lot against its requirements for a given delivery. The FAIR proves out the process; the inspection report checks a lot.
When is a first article inspection required?
Typically before a production run of a new part, and again after a change to the part, the manufacturing process, the tooling, the source or a lapse in production. The exact triggers are set by the customer, the contract or the applicable standard.
Who signs a First Article Inspection Report?
The inspector who performed the inspection and a reviewer or quality approver who accepts the first article. Their names and dates belong on the report so the record is traceable and the acceptance is attributable.
Related templates
Read the guideFirst Article Inspection (FAIR) reports and AS9102 explained
A First Article Inspection report proves that a manufacturing process produces a part that meets every requirement on the drawing. Here’s what a FAIR contains, the AS9102 forms, and when a first article is required.
Read the guide →Documents that go with a First Article Inspection Report
Inspection Report
Records inspection characteristics, requirements, measurements, methods, evidence and acceptance results for a part, lot or product.
Open template →Test Report
Documents the test article, method, conditions, measurements, results, observations and conclusion for a defined evaluation.
Open template →Certificate of Conformance (CoC)
Provides an authorized statement that supplied products, materials or shipments conform to identified requirements, specifications or contractual criteria.
Open template →Build your First Article Inspection Report now
Fill in the fields, apply your brand, and export a clean PDF. Free to start.
Note: This template gives you a structured starting point that reflects the format a first article inspection report is expected to take, and references AS9102 for general context only. It does not certify any result. You remain responsible for the accuracy of the recorded results, the completeness of the characteristic accountability, and for meeting your own quality system's and customer's requirements before you release the report.