[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 14, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 37930-37931] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-17950] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Information Collection; Request for Comments; Pilot Approval and Aircraft Contract Forms
Agency
Forest Service, USDA.
Action
Notice.
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Summary
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service announces its intention to request a reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for the administration of aviation contracts. The information helps the Forest Service ensure that pilots and aircraft offered for use by contractors meet the special Forest Service aviation mission parameters. Respondents will include individuals, businesses, corporations, and Federal, State, and local governments.
Dates
Comments must be received in writing on or before September 13, 1999.
Addresses
All comments should be addressed to Director, Fire and Aviation Management Staff, Mail Stop 1107, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090 or submitted by FAX to (202) 205- 1272 or by email to: fam/wo@fs.fed.us. The public may inspect comments at the office of the Director, Fire and Aviation Staff, 201 14th Street, SW, Washington, DC. Visitors are encouraged to call (202) 205-1483 to facilitate entrance into the building.
For Further Information Contact
Michael Dudley, Aviation Management Specialist, at (202) 205-0995.
Supplementary Information
Background
The forms described in this request for reinstatement of this previously approved information collection, are used by the agency to issue and administer aviation contracts. The Forest Service is the largest owner and operator of aircraft in the Federal government outside of the Department of Defense. The majority of Forest Service flying is in support of wildland fire suppression. The Forest Service contracts with approximately 400 pilot and aircraft vendors to provide aviation services for National Forest System land protection and administrative projects. The aircraft and pilots average 63,000 flying hours each year. Contracts for these services establish rigorous qualification requirements for pilots and specific condition, equipment, and performance requirements for aircraft. These requirements are necessary in order for the Forest Service to maintain an acceptable level of safety, mission preparedness, and cost effectiveness in aviation operations. This is particularly true in fire suppression missions, which are conducted under adverse conditions of weather, terrain, turbulence, smoke reduced visibility, minimally improved landing areas, and congested airspace around wildfires. The data from this information collection will be used to document the basis for the Forest Service to approve or deny contracts for pilots and aircraft. The completed forms are maintained in Forest Service Regional Headquarters with the Regional Aviation Officers and aircraft inspectors. Information on these forms form the basis for the agency to approve or deny contract agreements with pilots or for aircraft. If the pilots or aircraft meet the agency's requirements, approval cards are issued to each contract pilot and for each contract aircraft. Forest Service personnel verify possession of properly approved cards before utilizing the services of these pilots and aircraft. Without the information supplied on these forms, Forest Service contracting officers, pilot, and aircraft inspectors cannot determine if pilots and aircraft meet the detailed qualification, equipment, and condition requirements essential for safe, efficient accomplishment of Forest service specified flying missions.
Description of Information Collection
The following describes the information collection to be reinstated: Title: FS-5700-20, Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record. OMB Number: 0596-0015. Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998. Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired. Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by authorized Forest Service pilot and aircraft inspectors to ensure that pilots meet contract specifications for qualifications, such as hours flown in a particular model of fixed-wing aircraft. Forest Service personnel collect information that includes the pilot's medical certificate number, airman certificate number, and hours flown in a specific type of aircraft, including Pilot In Command hours. Estimate of Burden: .25 hours. Type of Respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and Federal, State, and local governments. Estimated Number of Respondents: 570. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 143 hours.
Description of Information Collection
The following describes the information collection to be reinstated: Title: FS-5700-20a, Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record. OMB Number: 0596-0015. Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998. Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired. Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by authorized Forest Service pilot and aircraft inspectors to ensure that pilots meet contract specifications for qualifications for hours flown in a particular helicopter type. Forest Service personnel collect information that includes the pilot's medical certificate number, airman certificate number, and hours flown in a specific type of helicopter, including Pilot In Command hours. Estimate of Burden: .25 hours. Type of Respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and Federal, State, and local governments. Estimated Number of Respondents: 418. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 105 hours.
Description of Information Collection
The following describes the information collection to be reinstated: Title: FS-5700-21, Airplane Data Record. OMB Number: 0596-0015. Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998. Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired. Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by authorized Forest Service pilot and aircraft inspectors to ensure that fixed-wing aircraft meet contract specifications for equipment and condition requirements. Information to be collected includes the aircraft's airworthiness and registration
certificate numbers, maintenance records, and inspection records. Estimate of Burden: 2.1 hours. Type of Respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and Federal, State, and local governments. Estimated Number of Respondents: 536. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,142 hours.
Description of Information Collection
The following describes the information collection to be reinstated: Title: FS-5700-21a, Helicopter Data Record. OMB Number: 0596-0015. Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998. Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired. Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by authorized Forest Service pilot and aircraft inspectors to ensure that helicopter aircraft meet contract specifications for equipment and condition requirements. Information to be collected includes the aircraft's airworthiness and registration certificate numbers, maintenance records, and inspection records. Estimate of Burden: 3.7 hours. Type of Respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and Federal, State, and local governments. Estimated Number of Respondents: 279. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,052 hours.
Comment Is Invited
The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Use of Comment
All comments, including name and address when provided, will become a matter of public record. Comments received in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval.
Dated: July 7, 1999. Larry Payne, Acting Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry. [FR Doc. 99-17950 Filed 7-13-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-P