First Nadcap Accreditation Awarded for Aero Structure Assembly to Lee Aerospace

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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 Defense 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 program.

“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.”

About Nadcap

Nadcap is an industry-managed approach to conformity assessment that brings together technical experts from both Industry and Government to establish requirements for accreditation, accredit Suppliers and define operational program requirements. This results in a standardized approach to quality assurance and a reduction in redundant auditing throughout the aerospace industry. Nadcap is administered by the not-for-profit Performance Review Institute (PRI), a global provider of customer-focused solutions designed to improve process and product quality by adding value, reducing total cost and promoting collaboration among stakeholders in industries where safety and quality are shared goals.

About Lee Aerospace Inc.

Lee Aerospace is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas and was founded in 1989 by owner and President, Jim Lee.  Starting as a production facility for Boeing 737/757 cabin windows, Lee Aerospace has grown through the years to include advanced aerospace transparency design, an FAA 145 Certified repair facility offering repair and installation, major and complex aerostructure assemblies and composite manufacturing programs for some of the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world.  Lee Aerospace is a proven OEM supplier to major aircraft manufacturers, as well as a reliable aftermarket support to general and business aviation.  Lee Aerospace is an ISO AS9100D and Nadcap accredited aviation supplier.