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Similar Regulations, Different Risk Thinking Aerospace and medical device manufacturers operate in some of the most heavily regulated environments in the world. Both rely on formal quality management systems, documented risk analysis, strict change control, and post-release monitoring. On paper, the systems look similar. In practice, the way risk is evaluated and accepted  is very different, especially when it comes to defect metrics such as Parts Per Million (PPM). That diff

In aerospace, the difference between success and failure is rarely effort. It is ownership . Most aerospace organizations are filled with capable, committed professionals. Yet programs still slip, escapes still occur, and corrective actions still repeat. The root cause is often not technical, it is fragmented ownership and inconsistent execution . In a high-risk, highly regulated industry, leadership is not defined by intent.It is defined by who owns the outcome and ensures

When someone says “the customer will never notice,”  they’re not just violating internal expectations. They’re potentially violating federal law , because in aerospace: The FAA is the customer. And the FAA always  notices. The Fox Watching the Henhouse 1️⃣ FAA Requirements Make This Mindset Legally Dangerous Under FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 21, Part 43, Part 145, etc.), manufacturers and repair stations must: Ensure airworthiness Maintain configuration control Ensure confor

For decades, aerospace has struggled with a quiet but deeply rooted problem: quality is still viewed as a cost center, not a strategic investment. It shows up in budget discussions, headcount decisions, tool selection, supplier oversight, and in the most damaging way, how leaders respond to risk. This mindset stands in stark contrast to the automotive industry, which treats quality as infrastructure , not overhead. Automotive invests heavily and early in systems, automation

In aerospace and other high-reliability industries, we talk a lot about systems — AS9100, AS9145, NADCAP, procedures, audit findings, and metrics. But when pressure hits, it’s not the manuals or the checklists that determine success. It’s leadership. It’s ethics. It’s people doing the right thing when it's the hardest thing to do. A mature Quality Management System is only as strong as the  leadership culture  supporting it. When Pressure Rises, Leadership Shows Its True Form

In every aerospace organization, the moments that threaten quality the most rarely come from technical complexity. They come from pressure — schedule pressure, customer pressure, cost pressure, leadership pressure.  Pressure doesn’t just stress people. It distorts decision-making.  When the heat rises, even good teams can make bad choices:  A questionable part gets released “just this once.”  A defect gets rationalized instead of escalated.  A supplier warning gets softened o

Quality has long been described as “black and white.” Conforming or nonconforming. Accept or reject. Pass or fail. But anyone who has worked in aerospace or other high-reliability environments knows the truth:  the real world operates in the gray , and the gray is where leadership, ethics, and partnership matter more than any checklist. The Myth of Black-and-White Quality Standards may be absolute, but real decisions rarely are. Gray appears when a requirement is technically

In aerospace manufacturing, we prepare for complexity and pressure, but the most dangerous threat rarely announces itself. It arrives quietly, becomes routine, and blends into normal operations.  It’s complacency , and it is one of the strongest predictors of future failure. Complacency Is a Slow Drift Complacency isn’t a dramatic mistake. It’s a series of small, unchallenged habits. It looks like: assuming a supplier is “always fine,” skimming borderline measurements, rushin

In aerospace, most quality problems don’t come from manufacturing errors — they come from design, planning, and handoff gaps that occur long before the first part ever hits the shop floor. When quality isn’t built in from the start, it shows up later as escapes, rework, supplier churn, and program instability. That’s why one of the strongest predictors of program success is whether quality is embedded early, and whether the organization has a clear, repeatable Quality Playboo

Quality leadership in aerospace isn’t just about specs, audits, or process controls, it’s about navigating the politics of being the only one in the room tasked with slowing things down in a culture obsessed with speed. Quality is praised in theory, tolerated in meetings, and resisted the moment it affects cost, schedule, or someone’s reputation. Anyone who has led in this space knows the reality: people want safe, conforming product... until safety and conformity get expensi

In the aerospace industry, quality is not just a goal; it is a necessity. With the increasing complexity of aerospace systems and the critical nature of safety, achieving and maintaining high-quality standards is paramount. One of the most effective ways to ensure quality in aerospace manufacturing and service provision is through AS9100 compliance. This blog post will explore practical strategies to elevate aerospace quality through AS9100 compliance, providing insights and

In the aerospace industry, trust is paramount. It is not just about delivering a product; it is about ensuring safety, reliability, and performance. As the industry evolves, so too must the culture that underpins it. A quality culture reset can be a powerful tool in building trust among stakeholders, from manufacturers to regulators and ultimately, the flying public. This blog post explores how organizations can implement quality culture resets to enhance trust in aerospace.

In any organization, problems are inevitable. Whether they arise from operational inefficiencies, product defects, or service failures, the way we address these issues can significantly impact our success. One effective strategy for tackling these challenges is through Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) . This approach not only resolves immediate problems but also prevents their recurrence, leading to long-term improvements. In this post, we will explore what RCCA is, why it