How a Metalworking Company Can Enter Aircraft Parts Machining: 4 Entry Routes, JIS Q 9100, First Article Inspection, Nadcap, Export Control, Hurdles

Why look at aircraft parts machining now

According to SJAC statistics, Japan's aircraft production (airframes, engines and other equipment) fell from ¥1.8689 trillion in FY2019 to ¥1.1554 trillion in FY2021 during COVID (down about 38%). It has since recovered: ¥2.0619 trillion in FY2024 and ¥2.4715 trillion in FY2025 (both preliminary). Since FY2022, engines have outpaced airframes in value^[1]. Figures are nominal, so they include the effect of the weaker yen.

Japanese companies have taken part in the international joint development of large US airliners, with manufacturing shares of 15% on the 767, 21% on the 777, 35% on the 787 and 21% on the 777X.^[3]. METI's Aircraft Industry Strategy, compiled in April 2024, puts Japan's aircraft industry at about ¥2 trillion a year as of 2019 (¥1.36 trillion for commercial aircraft) and cites an outlook that commercial aircraft alone will be an industry of about ¥6 trillion or more a year from 2035 onward. At the same time, it names as a challenge that Japan's participation in single-aisle aircraft (planes with one aisle) is limited, even though this is the segment set to grow most^[2].

The next single-aisle aircraft is expected to be built at a high rate equivalent to 80 a month, and the government, saying that capacity must grow not only at heavy-industry companies but all the way down to suppliers that handle parts machining and special processes, has started subsidizing capital investment (see below)^[7]. Regionally, the Chubu region is the center and is said to account for about half of Japan's domestic production of airframe parts^[4].

Four entry routes: most start as a supplier to Tier 1 or Tier 2

The government has supported efforts to make small and mid-sized suppliers more cost-competitive and to set up end-to-end ("one-stop") production, where several companies take parts through to completion. There is also NAMAC, a nationwide network linking Japan's aircraft clusters, which helps local groups promote themselves and build end-to-end production^[2][6]. The Aircraft Industry Strategy also covers suppliers that deliver parts to overseas manufacturers, and says small and mid-sized companies will be supported together with local governments, JETRO and the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN (SMRJ)^[2]. In the Chubu region, local governments and support organizations help companies exhibit at Aeromart Nagoya and the Paris and Singapore airshows^[5].

How it differs from defenseDefense work has a single customer, Japan's Ministry of Defense (MOD), with its own bidding qualifications and security rules (see How to Enter Japan's Defense Industry). For commercial aircraft, the customers are overseas airframe and engine OEMs, and international industry standards (the 9100 series, Nadcap) and English documents are the common language. The quality systems overlap, so getting JIS Q 9100 helps with both routes.

Start with JIS Q 9100: how it differs from ISO 9001

The aviation, space and defense quality management standard "9100" adds industry requirements to ISO 9001 and is issued with identical content as JIS Q 9100 in Japan, AS9100 in the US and EN 9100 in Europe^[8]. Certification becomes mandatory mainly when airframe and engine OEMs require it, but that requirement is spreading to their suppliers and on to their suppliers' suppliers^[12].

Getting certified and what it costs

1. Solidify your ISO 9001 system: If procedures, records, calibration, nonconformance handling and internal audits are already running, JIS Q 9100 can be built on top of them. Expanding step by step, without a big upfront investment, is the realistic approach.
2. Build the added requirements into the system and run it: PRI, a US certification body, recommends running the system for about 6 months before the audit^[32].
3. Choose a certification body and get audited: In Japan, 4 certification bodies are accredited by JAB for JIS Q 9100^[9]. The audit has Stage 1 and Stage 2, and the number of audit days is set under the 9104-1 standard from factors such as headcount and the share of aviation, space and defense in sales^[14].
4. Register in OASIS: Results are listed in IAQG's database OASIS , which overseas airframe and engine OEMs can also view, so customer audits may be skipped or reduced^[9].
5. Renew every 3 years: Within the 3-year cycle there is a surveillance audit every year^[32].

9100 is set to become "IA9100"The next revision will be named IA9100 under IAQG's new numbering scheme^[17]. As of 2023, IAQG planned to publish it in 2026 to align with the revision of its base standard, ISO 9001^[18]. ISO 9001:2026 was published on September 16, 2026, but^[16] as of October 2026 we could not confirm any official announcement of the IA9100 publication date or transition deadline. Even after publication, current certificates do not become invalid right away; companies normally switch over at a regular audit within the transition period. So a company starting now can go ahead with the current JIS Q 9100:2016.

First article inspection (FAI) and the standards customers require

The most labor-intensive part of aircraft parts work is first article inspection (FAI). It goes beyond measuring dimensions: for every characteristic, you verify that "the defined process, material and tooling produce an item that conforms to the drawing" and record it on prescribed forms. The standard is IAQG 9102, and the latest is the 2023 revision (SJAC 9102C in Japan, AS9102C in the US). The revision requires FAI planning to follow a documented procedure^[19][20].

Changed the NC program? Redo FAINot only when you change the production site, process, inspection method, tooling or material, but also when you change the NC program or transfer it to other media, you must redo FAI for the affected characteristics^[19]. FAI is also required for characteristics that may be affected when production has stopped for 2 years or more^[21]. Even "we switched machines and now it cuts faster" needs notification and FAI first. Some customers require FAI records to be kept until the aircraft is retired (around 30–40 years)^[15].

Nadcap and special processes: does a machining-only shop need it?

Nadcap is an industry program launched in 1990, led mainly by airframe and engine OEMs, for special process accreditation. It is run by PRI, a US nonprofit. More than 4,500 suppliers are accredited, and more than 60 manufacturers take part^[29]. The major participating manufacturers require their suppliers to obtain Nadcap accreditation^[13].

Nadcap fields are based on PRI's list (PRI pages variously say 24 or 26 fields)^[30][29].

• Prerequisite: You need certification such as JIS Q 9100 (AS9100), or a system that meets Nadcap's quality system audit criteria AC7004; ISO 9001 alone is not enough^[13].
• Timeline: A first accreditation takes roughly 6–12 months (preparation 2–4 months, on-site audit 2–5 days, correcting findings (NCRs) 1–3 months, Task Group review about 1 week). The audit is often held 3–6 months after you request a date, and after that reaccreditation audits usually come every 12–24 months^[31].
• Cost: There is no published fee schedule; you get a quote for each audit scope through PRI's system^[31]. You also need procedures and records in English, and must handle the audit in English.
• Separate from customer approval: Nadcap accreditation does not in itself mean customer approval; it is used as one part of the customer's approval process^[32]. You can apply even before you have an aerospace customer^[32].
• Benefits: In PRI's survey, accredited suppliers saw customer audits fall by 40% on average, and 85% felt their quality had improved (a survey by the operator itself)^[33].

First steps for a machining shopIf you outsource heat treatment, surface treatment or NDT, use only subcontractors approved by your customer (holding Nadcap, etc.), flow down the customer's requirements in your purchase orders, and make sure the subcontractors' certificates can be entered on FAI Form 2. If few accredited processors are in your region, the longer transport adds lead time and logistics cost. Bringing processors into your joint orders (consortium) group is a real strength.

Do you need JCAB approval?

Companies that manufacture aircraft or aircraft equipment can obtain, under Japan's Civil Aeronautics Act, approved organization certification (JCAB) from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (standard processing period for a new application: 3 months)^[34]. However, a JCAB circular states that when an approved organization outsources work, the ordering party bears responsibility under the Civil Aeronautics Act whether or not the subcontractor holds approval, and the ordering party is to select, audit and carry out receiving inspection of the subcontractor^[35]. If you enter as a parts-machining subcontractor, what you face first is not JCAB but your customer's audits and JIS Q 9100.

What you machine: materials and equipment

In airframes, to reduce part count, more and more parts are machined in one piece from thick plate or large forgings, and 5-axis high-speed machining is the norm for aluminum alloys (such as 7050)^[49]. For aluminum structural parts, the material removal rate is proportional to spindle power, so the keys are making full use of high-speed, high-power spindles and avoiding chatter with stability lobe diagrams^[50]. As CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) use grows, titanium alloys also increase to avoid galvanic corrosion with aluminum, and both CFRP and titanium alloys are expensive, difficult-to-cut materials. In drilling CFRP, separation of the layers (delamination) is a problem^[48].

For cutting conditions for difficult-to-cut materials, see the Materials database; for tool wear, the tool life article; and for 5-axis, the 5-axis machining page. As for equipment, once you have a 5-axis machining center and a CMM in a temperature-controlled room, you can complete FAI Form 3 in-house.

Export control: before you accept drawings

Aircraft parts can involve technology with military uses, so both Japanese and US rules apply.

• Japan's Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA): Checking whether the goods you export or the technology you provide fall on the control lists requires an export classification. “Providing technology” covers not only sending it abroad but also providing it within Japan to non-residents or to persons under strong influence of a foreign government or entity (the “specified category”); examples given include taking data out by email or USB and giving technical guidance to trainees from overseas^[47].
• US EAR (Export Administration Regulations): Outside the US, for example in a factory in Japan, showing or releasing controlled technology to a third-country national is a deemed reexport to that person's country of nationality^[44][45].
• US ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations): Defense technical data released to a person is deemed reexported to every country where that person holds citizenship or permanent residency, and releasing it to anyone not covered by the authorization requires written approval from the US Department of State^[46].

Companies with foreign employees or trainees: check firstThe customer classifies, item by item, which regulations a drawing falls under. Before receiving drawings, confirm with the customer, decide who may view them, and keep the drawing data on separate PCs or folders.

Support from the government, the special zone and prefectures

• National capital investment subsidy: METI's “Supply Chain Modernization Investment Support” (FY2025) subsidized capital investment, production demonstrations and certification for new processes by suppliers handling parts machining or special processes, at up to 1/2 for SMEs (up to 1/3 for large companies). The lower limit was ¥25 million, and conditions included cutting production time by 15% or more by the end of the project. The cost of obtaining certification was eligible, but maintenance and periodic audit costs after certification were not^[7][43].
• Asia No.1 Aerospace Industrial Cluster Special Zone: A Comprehensive Special Zone for International Competitiveness spanning Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Nagano and Shizuoka Prefectures, among others^[37]. It aims to raise aerospace production in the Chubu region from ¥870 billion in FY2024 to ¥1.23 trillion in FY2030, and measures such as corporate tax reductions (111 cases) and interest subsidies (85 cases) have been used (as of end of March 2026)^[36]. To use the special measures, each business must be designated within the zone, and designations are still being added^[38].
• Chubu support directory: The Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry compiles the programs of prefectures, cities and support organizations as the “Chubu Aerospace Support Action,” so you can look up support for market development, training, obtaining and maintaining certification, and R&D in one list^[5].

Other prefectures and cities (such as Komaki City) also support certification and dispatch experts^[5]. Application periods and conditions change every fiscal year, so check each prefecture's page before applying.

Order of steps to entry (guideline)

1. Write down your strengths that matter in aerospace: difficult-to-cut materials (titanium, Inconel), monolithic machining of thin-walled or large parts, 5-axis, hole position accuracy, high-mix low-volume work, record keeping, and so on.
2. Gather information at clusters and trade shows: Attend study sessions of regional clusters and support organizations, and ask which Tiers are looking for what^[6][5].
3. ISO 9001 → JIS Q 9100: Check prefectural subsidies, get quotes from certification bodies, and run the system for about 6 months before the certification audit^[32].
4. Prototypes and FAI: Undergo the customer's audit and submit prototypes and FAI records. Decide your special-process subcontractors at this stage.
5. Production and growth: Build a track record on delivery and quality; get Nadcap if you bring special processes in-house, team up with partners for end-to-end ("one-stop") production orders, and move on to overseas Tiers.

the real hurdles

Companies that fit, and those that should think twice

FAQ

Can I do aerospace work without JIS Q 9100?

It becomes mandatory when airframe and engine makers require it, and that requirement is spreading to their suppliers^[12]. At what stage certification is required depends on the customer, so check before you start selling. Note that Nadcap requires JIS Q 9100 or similar certification as a prerequisite^[13].

Does a machining-only shop need Nadcap?

Ordinary machining is not automatically in scope. Drilling, turning, milling, grinding and similar operations that the customer designates as special processes are audited under “Conventional Machining as a Special Process”^[30]. In most cases, the question you will face first is whether you send heat treatment and surface treatment to accredited subcontractors.

How much does certification cost?

Certification body audit fees depend on audit man-days, and no official benchmark is published. The published fixed costs are the OASIS registration fees (US$700 for each initial registration or renewal, among others) and the ¥50,000 (excl. tax) maintenance and improvement fee for JAQG non-members^[10]. Shizuoka Prefecture's subsidy cap (¥3 million for JIS Q 9100 at a 1/2 rate) gives a sense of the cost scale^[39].

Do I need JCAB approval?

For a parts-machining subcontractor, what you need first is your customer's audit and JIS Q 9100. Under the Civil Aeronautics Act, the ordering party bears responsibility whether or not the subcontractor holds approval^[35].

Can I target defense work at the same time?

The quality systems overlap. Japan's Ministry of Defense specifications require a JIS Q 9100 system for items such as aircraft and missiles, so JIS Q 9100 works for both. Bidding qualifications and protection of classified information are unique to defense, so please read How to Enter Japan's Defense Industry as well.

Hole and fit data: Fits and Tolerances, and dimensional change from surface treatment: How to tell black oxide from plating, and how dimensions change; rising tool prices: Tungsten Price Surge and Carbide Tools.