Boeing has announced that in partnership with Southwest Airlines (SWA) and Aeroxchange Ltd., it has “successfully completed the aerospace industry’s first parts shipment accompanied by a digital 8130-3 certificate—an electronic version of the FAA-governed 8130-3 Authorized Release Certificate.” Boeing reports that this milestone “advances supply chain security by preventing unapproved spare parts from entering the aerospace aftermarket.”
William Ampofo, senior vice president, Parts & Distribution and Supply Chain, Boeing Global Services said: “This industry-first shipment reflects Boeing’s dedication to pursuing game-changing solutions through teamwork and partnership. Together with Southwest Airlines and Aeroxchange, we are transforming how the industry ensures part authenticity and supply chain security.”
According to Boeing, “The FAA Form 8130-3 certifies the airworthiness of aircraft parts, components and articles. The digital 8130 certificate replaces the traditional paper certificate with a secure, encrypted file that authenticates the authorized signer’s identity and ensures document integrity.” Boeing says it “led a pilot project to generate and gain authorization for this digital solution.”
Boeing reports that recently, a battery serviced at its “product repair services center in Davie, Florida, was the first part shipped using the electronic form, transmitted using the Aeroxchange eARC™ platform. Southwest Airlines received the battery at its Dallas facility, verifying its authenticity and airworthiness through the new digital process.’
Landon Nitschke, senior vice president, Technical Operations, Southwest Airlines said: “Southwest is proud to be a partner in the electronic process of document transfers and thrilled to be onsite for the very first delivery of a ship battery using this process.”
Al Koszarek, president and CEO of Aeroxchange said: “This landmark event is a milestone on the industry’s journey to prevent unapproved parts from entering the aviation supply chain.”
Boeing confirms that it will “continue rolling out use of the digital 8130 certificate across all nine of its product repair services centers, as each center receives authorization from the FAA to use electronic systems for recordkeeping, electronic signatures and electronic manuals.”
“Expanding the use of digital authorized release certificates was a key recommendation from the Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition (ASCIC), a cross-industry group dedicated to preventing unapproved parts from entering the aviation supply chain”, said the aircraft manufacturer.
Boeing, Southwest Airlines and Aeroxchange are active members of the ASCIC.