First Article Inspection Software (FAIR)

Create AS9102 FAIRs faster with AI ballooning, CMM import, and validation checks that reduce rework and improve traceability for QA teams. Book a demo.

Create AS9102 Rev C Forms 1-3, auto balloon drawings, import CMM data, and export to Net-Inspect or other customer templates.

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AdvancedPCB
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Create FAIRs Without Paper or Errors

Build First Article Inspection Reports directly from engineering drawings instead of copying characteristics into spreadsheets. GroundControl connects ballooned drawings to AS9102 Rev C Forms 1, 2, and 3 so your team validates once and submits with full traceability.

Top five reasons FAIRs get rejected

Auto-balloon drawings and populate Forms 1-3

GroundControl was the first company to offer AI auto-ballooning for manufacturing drawings, with the strongest OCR accuracy in the category. Upload 2D PDF drawings and let AI detect dimensions, GD&T frames, notes, and callouts tuned for engineering prints. Extracted characteristics auto-populate AS9102 Forms 1 and 2, then flow into Form 3 without a separate ballooning tool or export/import cycle.

Import CMM and gage results into Form 3

Import measurement data from CMM hardware and inspection software through CSV or Excel, with no manual re-entry into Form 3. Teams can keep using the tools they already run on the shop floor while results land in one connected FAIR record.

CMM probe measuring a machined aerospace part for AS9102 Form 3 import

Catch missing fields before customer review

Validation checks flag missing evidence, revision mismatches, and out-of-tolerance results before a FAIR reaches your customer or prime portal. Submit through GroundControl or export standard and custom FAIR packages in PDF or Excel, including formats ready for Net-Inspect and customer-specific templates.

AdvancedPCB

Case Study

AdvancedPCB case study

See the full AdvancedPCB case study

156%

Increase in FAI throughput

<30 min

Time to train new operators

<1 month

Time to initial ROI

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See AI auto-ballooning, CMM import, and Form 1-3 validation in a live GroundControl walkthrough.

First article inspection FAQ

Questions about first article inspection software, AS9102 Forms 1-3, CMM import, ballooning tool comparisons, Net-Inspect submission, desktop vs cloud deployment, and how quickly teams see results.

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First article inspection software helps quality teams plan, execute, and document a First Article Inspection (FAI) against drawing and specification requirements. For AS9102 programs, that usually means building a FAIR with Forms 1-3, ballooned drawings, measurement results, and linked objective evidence.
A First Article Inspection (FAI) is a documented, characteristic-by-character verification that your first production run meets all drawing and specification requirements. In aerospace, AS9102 defines how you plan, execute, and record that verification using Forms 1-3, plus linked objective evidence. The goal is demonstrating production readiness with full traceability.
Yes. GroundControl imports CMM data from Hexagon, Zeiss, Mitutoyo, and inspection software such as PC-DMIS, Calypso, Verisurf, and Polyworks through CSV or Excel import directly into Form 3 of an FAI.
DISCUS and 1factory are strong desktop and hybrid tools for ballooning and FAIR assembly. GroundControl combines AI auto-ballooning, Form 1-3 generation, CMM import, validation, and export in one cloud-native workflow. Ground Control Software, Inc. is ITAR registered, and the government-cloud AS9102/FAI deployment has achieved FedRAMP Moderate Equivalency following an independent 3PAO assessment. That deployment runs in AWS GovCloud (US) and may handle CUI under DoD FedRAMP equivalency guidance.
FAI software is how you create and validate the FAIR internally. Supplier and prime portals like Net-Inspect are how you submit and collaborate externally. GroundControl is the most technologically advanced FAI Generation software built to support suppliers, with AI auto-ballooning, CMM import, and validation in one workflow. It prepares validated AS9102 packages that you can export and upload to the portal your customer requires.
Yes, because software amplifies your expertise rather than replacing it. You still decide what is critical and how to interpret intent. The tool removes transcription and formatting friction, improves traceability, and helps newer engineers perform at your level sooner.
Onboarding takes about 30 minutes. Most teams start seeing results immediately because AS9102 Forms 1-3, ballooned drawings, CMM import, and validation live in one digital workflow instead of spreadsheets and separate tools. AdvancedPCB completed 61 FAIRs in month one after training operators in under 30 minutes.
Desktop tools keep data and workflows local. That can be simpler for some ITAR programs, but collaboration is file-based and audit visibility is lower. Cloud tools centralize drawings, results, and evidence so FAIRs are repeatable and reviewable, but customers must still evaluate data residency, access controls, and export-control boundaries. GroundControl's qualified government-cloud AS9102/FAI deployment may store, process, and transmit CUI under DoD FedRAMP equivalency guidance.

More on this page

In this page
  • Create FAIRs Without Paper or Errors
  • Auto-balloon drawings and populate Forms 1-3
  • Import CMM and gage results into Form 3
  • Catch missing fields before customer review
  • AdvancedPCB case study
  • First article inspection FAQ