Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)

PPAP is the documented evidence package a supplier delivers to prove they can manufacture a part to specification, in production conditions, repeatedly. It originated in automotive (AIAG) but the aerospace adaptation (AS13003) is now the standard for any new-part introduction into a serial production program. A full PPAP submission can run hundreds of pages, organized in five levels. Most aerospace customers ask for Level 3 or Level 5. Required artifacts: design records, control plan, process flow diagram, FMEA, dimensional results, material certs, gauge R&R, capability studies (Cpk targets typically 1.33+), and the first-article inspection (FAI per AS9102). A failed PPAP puts the supplier on a containment program, the team has to root-cause and document corrective action (8D format), and the program slips. Roles where this matters: Quality, Manufacturing, NPI, Program Management.