Check the applicable AS9102 revision and your customer requirements before deciding whether to submit a separate ballooned drawing. AS9102 covers first article inspection (FAI) and its documentation. Your contract or quality management system (QMS) can specify the annotation format and evidence package.
Why a simple yes or no can mislead
Contents
“Ballooned drawing” can mean a specific marked-up PDF in one organization and a broader characteristic-identification method in another. Three sources of direction are often mixed together:
- The standard: SAE lists AS9102C, revised June 28, 2023, as the current published revision in its catalog. The standard establishes requirements for performing and documenting FAI and says those requirements complement customer and applicable statutory or regulatory requirements.
- IAQG guidance and forms: IAQG publishes current Rev C Forms 1–3 and supporting FAI resources. These help users apply the process, but the forms page explicitly says forms are not all-inclusive and users remain responsible for the associated standard and revision control.
- Customer and QMS requirements: A purchase order, customer-specific quality clause, supplier manual, or internal procedure can require a particular ballooned document, numbering format, or evidence package.
What the public Rev C materials show
IAQG’s current forms page lists 9102C Forms 1, 2, and 3. Form 3 is the characteristic-accountability and verification form. Its visible fields include a characteristic number, reference location, requirement, results, and other verification details. This makes traceability central to the form. The existence of these fields does not, by itself, settle which annotation style must be used on a separate drawing file.
Some online answers cite a historical IAQG FAQ that discussed Revision B. Do not use that older FAQ alone to decide what Revision C or a current customer contract requires. Check the applicable standard and current instructions for your job.
Practical decision path
- Confirm the required standard revision and whether AS9102 applies to this FAI.
- Read the current standard and customer-specific documentation requirements.
- Identify how each design characteristic will be traceable to the FAI record.
- Use a ballooned drawing if the customer, contract, or QMS requires it—or if it is the chosen clear method for traceability.
- Verify the drawing, characteristic list, and forms all use the correct part and revision.
A marked-up drawing can be a practical and effective traceability aid. It does not replace the first article inspection report (FAIR) or prove that the FAI is complete. A general dimensional report is not automatically an AS9102 form, either.
Keep the documents distinct
| Document or source | What it does | What it does not establish alone |
|---|---|---|
| AS9102C | Defines FAI requirements for the applicable scope | Do not infer a drawing annotation style from a summary page |
| IAQG forms/guidance | Provides form resources and implementation support | Does not replace the associated licensed standard |
| Customer/contract instruction | May set the deliverable, format, and added requirements | Does not remove the need to meet applicable standard requirements |
| Ballooned drawing | Can link source locations to characteristic IDs and report records | Is not the full FAIR and does not prove conformance by itself |
What should you do if the instruction is unclear?
Ask the customer quality contact or responsible quality engineer before submitting the package. In the request, identify the standard revision, part/drawing revision, current form or procedure, and the exact uncertainty: for example, whether a separate marked-up PDF is needed, what identifier format to use, and where note or process evidence belongs. Record the answer in the controlled job documentation.
Do not rely on a vendor page or a template download as the authority for your compliance decision. If the requirement is contractual, use the contract documents; if the standard wording is decisive, consult the licensed current standard.
Does software make an FAI compliant?
No. A software tool can help identify candidate characteristics, place balloons, and prepare report data. The organization remains responsible for determining the applicable requirements, checking the drawing and evidence, and submitting the correct customer-required records. BalloonForge supports drawing review and synchronized PDF/Excel preparation; it is not a complete AS9102 FAI system and does not certify compliance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I submit a numbered drawing instead of Form 3?
Do not assume so. A ballooned drawing can support traceability, but use the current standard and customer-required FAI documents.
Does Form 3 use characteristic numbers?
The current IAQG Rev C Form 3 includes a characteristic-number field and a reference-location field. Check the form instructions and licensed standard for how to complete them for your case.
Is a ballooned drawing required by my customer?
That depends on your contract and customer-specific requirements. Confirm the current deliverable with the responsible quality contact.
Which revision should I follow?
SAE’s catalog identifies AS9102C, revised in June 2023. Your contract may specify a revision or transition rule, so verify the applicable requirement rather than relying only on a web summary.
Authoritative references
- SAE: AS9102C scope and revision record
- IAQG: 9102 First Article Inspection Requirement
- IAQG Forms Management: 9102C Forms and revision-control notice
- IAQG SCMH: FAI resources
For practical characteristic classification, see what should be ballooned. For identifiers and revision changes, see balloon numbering rules.
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