Introduction
Often, the terms QC and QA are used interchangeably in the wrong manner. QA is a term that has dominated the corporate industry and world for many years. It refers to the standard that something holds as compared to other things within the same scope (Baker, 2018). It may also refer to the degree or quality of excellence that may be needed to realize efficiency of a product. The critical focus of QA is on aspects such as processes, techniques, approaches, and planning within a specific field. On the other hand, QC may be a portion of the overall quality management scheme that emphasizes or realizes the quality requirements. While QA is based on how a technique is performed, QC focuses on the inspection attribute of quality management.
QC should not be regarded as the real alternative in typical quality management processes. However, it may be adopted to test the working efficiency of the adopted QA process. In the case of failure detection within the adopted QA process during the QC inspection test, it is clear that there was an error in the QA process being used (Baker, 2018). Therefore, there is usually a need for the QA processes to be reviewed to establish the cause of poor functioning. This paper aims to analyze the various vital roles that QA and QC play in the maintenance operation, focusing on aspects such as inspection, auditing, safety, and compliance.
History of QC and QA
Quality has been a focus in many industries from the early ages till now. When Hammurabi controlled Babylonia in ancient times, there were allusions to QC in the code he issued (Baker, 2018). The QC used to be as easy as drawing a picture of the intended object. Tolerance limitations were created around 1840 when manufacturers realized it was impractical and expensive to build items precisely like their portrayal; hence, a design would work provided its pieces were measured to be within limits (Z et al., 2019). As a result, tools like plug and ring gauges were used to quantify quality accurately.
Since the dawn of human civilization, people have sought to improve the quality of their products and services. From the standards for ancient Greek structures to the Egyptian pyramids, it can be traced back in time. The ideas of current QA, based on medieval guilds’ efforts to improve product quality, initially emerged in the late Middle Ages (Baker, 2018). In part, guilds were founded to ensure that the quality of specific crafts, such as blacksmithing, met the standards set by kings. Other guild leaders would check all goods to ensure the quality was upheld by the guild’s participants (Zio et al., 2019). It was also necessary to produce exceptional quality work before being considered an expert in a specific field. After the late 19th century, guilds mostly disappeared due to the Industrial Revolution, at least in part.
Aviation Perspectives on QA and QC
For different firms within the aviation industry, the idea of QC may appear to be irrelevant due to the lack of specific tangible products to be controlled or inspected. Similarly, QA in the aviation industry is regarded as an effective system that helps monitor and inspect procedures, programs, and aviation equipment to ensure state civil and ICAO aviation regulatory requirements are adhered to (Nsien, 2020). Both QA and QC provide essential background for inspecting the various aviation equipment, programs, and procedures to ensure that all maintenance in the aviation sector is undertaken correctly based on the manufacturer’s needs.
People may travel for both work and pleasure thanks to the convenience of commercial aviation. Aviation QA and QC are critical to fostering customer confidence and delight. Before delivery, it guarantees that the items or services meet the customer’s expectations (Zio et al., 2019). Flight Operations, Aircraft Maintenance (checks, repairs, and inspections), and employee training are all under the watchful eye of the QA department in the airline sector.
QA, QC, and Inspection
To determine whether or not a product or service meets specified standards, inspectors measure, examine, and test the product or service in question. Products, processes, and many other results can be reviewed to ensure that the product or service being produced or given is proper and satisfies the requirements (Nsien, 2020). QA plays a vital role in the inspection of the airlines in the aviation industry. Usually, aviation firms deploy a QA Inspector tasked with inspecting aircraft, thus ensuring that there is the maintenance of procedures and aiding in the air navigation processes within the aviation sector (Baker, 2018). Additionally, QA is significant in maintaining traffic controls and communication tools to realize conformance with the regulated rules by the federal safety regulatory body.
The aviation sector requires a QCl strategy that includes external and internal inspections. QC in aviation primarily focuses on monitoring the organization’s operation while testing the resulting products and equipment (Nsien, 2020). This aims at realizing compliance with the needs of the customers. Often, aviation industries deploy an Aircraft QC inspector who is tasked with inspecting the different systems and components of the aircraft (Zio et al., 2019). Suppose they need to find out what has to be repaired. In that case, they may conduct functional inspections, verify that all repair work is done under safety regulations, and calibrate their inspection instruments to the necessary standards.
QA, QC, and Auditing Functions
It is part of the QA process to conduct audits. It is critical to assure quality since it is used to compare factual circumstances with requirements and to communicate those results to management within the aviation industry. Aviation organizations are now guided and regulated by formal management systems (Nsien, 2020). For example, quality management systems (QMSs) can also include management or environmental systems (Zio et al., 2019). An ACA Quality Audit is a planned and formal assessment to determine whether or not the aviation processes, policies, procedures, and contractual obligations are in accordance with ACA’s quality standards. Internal ACA operations, as well as contract service provider activities, are the focus of quality audits.
The QA role includes auditing. In order to assure quality in the aviation sector, it is necessary to compare factual circumstances to requirements and report those results to management. The notion of QA auditing is frequently utilized in internal, external, and customer audits to measure the level of QA in the aviation industry. Effective QA auditing relies heavily on ensuring procedures are in line with established standards. QA is vital in the aviation sector as it helps to realize compliance risk management and provides consistent advancement for the adopted auditing plan.
QA, QC, Safety, and Compliance
QA covers all aspects of aviation QC, from equipment and systems inspection to process audits to guarantee compliance to all ICAO and state-level civil aviation regulation bodies’ standard criteria, thus ensuring safety. The Aerospace industry has always had to demonstrate a high degree of safety and quality to compete in today’s marketplace (Baker, 2018). Providing high-quality products is essential to consumer pleasure, and if quality falters, there might be profound implications. QA’s aviation safety services include research, education, and the design of aircraft and aviation infrastructure to reduce aviation accidents and mishaps.
On the other hand,QC, compliance, and safety are intertwined in the aviation sector. Aviation QA safety and compliance are critical to foster consumer confidence and delight. Pre-delivery checks verify that the items or services meet the customer’s expectations. The aerospace industry has always had to show that it complies with FAA and ACA regulations regarding safety and quality (Zio et al., 2019). Customer satisfaction is dependent on the timely delivery of high-quality items, and if quality falters, there can be profound implications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the paper has analyzed the various vital roles that QA and QC play in the maintenance operation, focusing on aspects such as inspection, auditing, safety, and compliance. In a review, QA is necessary for aircraft inspection, thus ensuring that there is the maintenance of procedures and aiding in the air navigation processes. At the same time, QC helps in monitoring the operation within the organization while testing the physical conditions of the resulting products and equipment. Additionally, An ACA QA and QC Audit is a planned and formal assessment to determine whether or not the aviation processes, policies, procedures, and contractual obligations are in accordance with ACA’s quality standards. QA and QC procedures are also essential in maintaining safety and compliance of the aviation practices to the FAA and ACA policies.
References
Baker, B. (2018). Project quality management practice & theory.American Journal of Management, 18(3), 10-17. Web.
Zio, E., Fan, M., Zeng, Z., & Kang, R (2019). Application of reliability technologies in civil aviation: Lessons learned and perspectives.Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 32(1), 143-158. Web.
Nsien, C. B. (2020). TQM and the Role of Customers’ Orientation in Organizational Performance.FULafia Journal of Social Sciences, 3(4), 119-133. Web.