The first ever Nadcap accreditation for Aero Structure Assembly has been awarded to Lee Aerospace Inc. of Wichita, KS following a 2018 pilot audit that validated the audit criteria developed by the Nadcap Aero Structure Assembly Task Group and rigorously assessed the company’s compliance to the applicable industry standards and customer requirements.

Christopher Lowe of Spirit AeroSystems, Nadcap Aero Structure Assembly Task Group Chair, explained: “There are more companies than ever involved in aero structure assembly as activity is delegated through the supply chain by the airframers. As a result, the need for supply chain oversight in this area was recognized as being of growing importance. Nonconforming assembly practices can cause serious escapes such as unseen product defects, delivery delays and rectification costs.

“Congratulations to Lee Aerospace Inc. for their notable achievement in being the first in the world to gain this prestigious accreditation. I am pleased to have had the opportunity, through Nadcap, to work with my peers at Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space, Arconic, BAE Systems, Helicomb International, Lee Aerospace Inc., Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Spirit AeroSystems to address this issue and I encourage others in the industry to get involved in this activity.”

Technologies covered in the Aero Structure Assembly audit criteria currently extend to fastening, electrical bonding, bushing and bearing installation and sealant application.

Issuing the first accreditation is a significant step in the maturation of the newest Nadcap Task Group, whose members have been working towards this point since 2015 when the Nadcap Management Council approved Aero Structure Assembly as one of the specialized technologies that Nadcap accredits. Aero Structure Assembly now joins both long-standing practices such as heat treating, welding and non-destructive testing, as well as newer activities such as composites and electronics in the Nadcap programme.

“As an active member of Nadcap, when the opportunity to be the first company for accreditation in a pilot program presented itself, we literally jumped at the chance,” said Tommy Howland, Director of Quality for Lee Aerospace. “At Lee Aerospace, we strive to be the best in all aspects of our manufacturing processes, including transparencies, composites, and aerostructure assembly.”

https://p-r-i.org/nadcap