Boeing, in collaboration with Southwest Airlines and Aeroxchange, has completed the aerospace industry’s first parts shipment accompanied by a fully digital FAA Form 8130-3 Authorised Release Certificate.
The milestone marks a significant step forward in enhancing supply chain security and ensuring traceability by preventing unapproved spare parts from entering the aerospace aftermarket.
William Ampofo, senior vice president, parts and distribution and supply chain at 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.”
Traditionally a paper-based form, the FAA 8130-3 certifies the airworthiness of aircraft parts and components. The new digital version – developed through a Boeing-led pilot project – uses encrypted authentication to verify signatories and guarantee document integrity.
The first certified shipment involved a battery serviced at Boeing’s product repair services centre in Davie, Florida, transmitted electronically via Aeroxchange’s eARC™ platform to Southwest Airlines’ facility in Dallas.
Landon Nitschke, senior vice president, technical operations at Southwest Airlines, said: “The security benefit of electronic forms aligns to Southwest’s value of a safety-first culture and will be of significant benefit in the aviation industry.”
Al Koszarek, president and chief executive of Aeroxchange, said: “This landmark event is a milestone on the industry’s journey to prevent unapproved parts from entering the aviation supply chain.”
The digital 8130 certificate leverages advanced X.509 security protocols, public/private key encryption and blockchain-ready formats to create a tamper-proof record of part authenticity throughout its lifecycle.
Boeing plans to expand its use across all nine of its product repair services centres once authorised by the FAA for electronic recordkeeping and signature systems.
The initiative aligns with recommendations from the Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition (ASCIC), of which Boeing, Southwest Airlines and Aeroxchange are active members, to increase the adoption of digital authorised release certificates across the industry.
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