How to do it: The Aircraft Factory Acceptance Test Procedure

How to do it: The Aircraft Factory Acceptance Test Procedure

When you buy an aircraft, you’re not just buying a machine - you’re investing in performance, safety, and peace of mind. Unlike picking up a new car from a dealership, the delivery of an aircraft involves a much more thorough process. Before a brand-new airplane is officially handed over, it undergoes a comprehensive evaluation known as the Factory Acceptance Procedure, or Factory Acceptance Test (FAT).

This is where the customer (or often a trusted representative such as a pilot, engineer, or technical advisor) visits the manufacturer’s facility to inspect, test, and confirm that the aircraft is exactly what was promised in the contract. It’s the last chance to make sure everything is perfect before the aircraft leaves the factory and begins its service journey.

Think of it as a final exam: the aircraft must prove that it’s ready for real-world flying.

What Is the Factory Acceptance Procedure?

At its core, the Factory Acceptance Procedure is a structured process designed to verify quality, functionality, and compliance. Every aircraft is built to meet specific requirements outlined in a purchase agreement. The FAT ensures that those requirements aren’t just words on paper - they’re actually built into the airplane you’re receiving.

This process involves more than a quick glance and a test flight. It is an in-depth evaluation covering the aircraft’s airframe, avionics, engines, flight control systems, interior finish, and documentation. If anything isn’t right - even something small - it’s caught, corrected, and signed off before delivery.

Key Stages of the Acceptance Procedure

1. Outside and Inside Inspection

The first step is a careful, physical examination of the aircraft. The customer or their representative inspects the overall condition of the airplane: the paintwork, airframe, interior, and all installed equipment. The goal here is to confirm that the aircraft matches the ordered configuration - seating, avionics package, and optional extras - as specified in the purchase agreement.

This step ensures there are no surprises later. If a customer ordered a specific GPS unit, leather upholstery, or de-icing equipment, it should all be present and correctly installed. Also this is the time to ensure there are no cosmetic defects or uneven surfaces on the airplane.

2. System and Functional Testing

Once the visual inspection is complete, it’s time to ensure the aircraft operates as intended. This involves powering up and testing the major systems:

• Avionics: Navigation, communication, and monitoring systems are checked for proper function.

• Engines: Run-up tests confirm the engines start smoothly, deliver expected power, and respond to controls.

• Flight Controls: All control surfaces - ailerons, rudder, elevators - are tested for full range and smooth operation.

• Electrical and Hydraulic Systems: Essential support systems are verified to ensure reliability.
  
  

This stage is often the most technical, as it directly confirms the aircraft’s readiness to fly safely and efficiently. Also this process involve an actual flying part, where with the company’s pilot you are overviewing all the functions.

3. Compliance with Specifications

Every aircraft purchase is tied to a detailed set of specifications. This stage involves a side-by-side comparison: does the finished product exactly match the agreed-upon design? From avionics versions to performance benchmarks, this is the moment when the manufacturer demonstrates that the order during the sales process are fully delivered.

4. Document Review

Paperwork might not be as glamorous as test flights, but it’s just as important. Customers review the aircraft’s documentation, which typically includes:

• Maintenance records showing inspections and system checks completed at the factory.

• Flight manuals

• Certification documents proving compliance with aviation authorities.
  

Complete and accurate documents aren’t just for neat filing - they’re essential for regulatory approval, insurance, and smooth operation after delivery.

5. Issue Resolution

Even with the best manufacturing practices, minor or major issues may come up during the acceptance process. These could be cosmetic details, calibration tweaks, or system fine-tuning. Rather than seeing this as a flaw, customers should view it as a safety net - this is the point of the acceptance procedure.

Any non-conforming items are documented, and the manufacturer is responsible for resolving them prior to the aircraft is officially handed over. This ensures that the customer receives a fully finished, defect-free product.

6. Formal Acceptance

Once all inspections, tests, and corrections are completed, the process concludes with a formal acceptance. The customer signs off on the aircraft, officially approving it for delivery. At this point, ownership transitions, and the aircraft is ready to leave the factory.

Why Is the Procedure So Important?

The acceptance procedure isn’t just a bureaucratic formality - it’s a safeguard with real benefits:

• Quality Assurance: Ensures the final product meets the highest standards of safety, performance, and craftsmanship.
  

• Cost and Time Savings: Catching and fixing issues at the factory prevents expensive downtime and post-delivery rework.
  

• Supplier Accountability: The manufacturer is held to their promises, guaranteeing that the aircraft matches the contract.
  

• Customer Confidence: The owner walks away knowing the aircraft has been tested, verified, and tailored to their needs.
  

More Than Just a Handover

For many customers, the Factory Acceptance Procedure is more than a checklist. It’s a milestone moment - the first time they see and experience their aircraft in its finished form. It’s the bridge between the months (or even years) of planning and anticipation, and the reality of taking their new airplane into the skies.

By the time the acceptance is signed, the customer doesn’t just own an aircraft. They own certainty, trust, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing every detail has been checked, tested, and validated. It protects the customer’s investment, reinforces the manufacturer’s accountability, and guarantees that the aircraft delivered is not just a machine, but a promise fulfilled.

In aviation, where safety, reliability, and trust are paramount, this final step makes all the difference.

At SMN Support, we’re here to guide you through every step of this process. Whether it’s a DA40 for personal flying or a fully equipped DA62 with advanced mission equipment, we make sure your aircraft acceptance is smooth, transparent, and stress-free. We are here to represent you and your need to have a perfectly funtional and defect-free product.

Our team brings hands-on experience and technical know-how to the table. We’ll walk through inspections with you and the manufacturer, verify every system, review the documentation, and make sure no detail is overlooked. That way, when you sign the acceptance, you can do so with full confidence that your aircraft is exactly as it should be.

In short, we take the complexity out of the Factory Acceptance Procedure—so you can focus on the excitement of taking delivery of your new aircraft. With SMN Support at your side, you don’t just get an airplane; you get assurance, expertise, and a trusted partner in the process.