[Federal Register: June 3, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 106)]
[Notices]
[Page 33091-33092]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03jn03-43]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Aviation Forms
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and
organizations on the extension of the currently approved collection of
four aviation forms that assist in the documentation of pilot and
aircraft qualifications, approval, and data records. These OMB approved
forms include: (1) Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record
(FS-5700-20); (2) Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record
(FS-5700-20a); (3) Airplane Data Record (FS-5700-21); (4) and
Helicopter Data Record (FS-5700-21a).
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before August 4, 2003
to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will
be considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Jim
Barnett, Fire and Aviation Staff, Mail Stop 1107, 1400 Independence
Avenue, Washington DC 20250-1107.
Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (202) 205-1401 or
by e-mail to: jbarnett02@fs.fed.us <mailto:jbarnett02@fs.fed.us>. The public may inspect comments received at the Yates Building,
1400 Independence Avenue, Washington DC during normal business hours.
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (202) 205-0985 to facilitate
entry to the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Barnett, Fire and Aviation Staff,
(202) 205-0985. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339
twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record (FS-5700-
20), Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record (FS-5700-20a),
Airplane Data Record (FS-5700-21), and Helicopter Data Record (FS-5700-
21a).
OMB Number: 0596-0015.
Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2003.
Type of Request: Extension with revision.
Abstract: The Forest Service contracts with approximately 400
vendors for aviation services that are utilized in resource protection
and project management. Total annual use of contract aircraft and
pilots in recent years has exceeded 100,000 hours. Hence, in order to
maintain an acceptable level of safety, mission preparedness, and cost
effectiveness in aviation operations, Forest Service contracts call for
rigorous qualifications for pilots and specific condition; equipment
and performance requirements for aircraft. Aviation operations are
conducted under extremely adverse conditions of weather, terrain,
turbulence, smoke reduced visibility, minimally improved landing areas,
and congested airspace around wildfires.
To ensure agency contracting officers that the pilots and aircraft
meet the specific Forest Service qualifications and other requirements
for aviation operations, prospective contract pilots must provide the
information on the FS-5700-20 and FS-5700-20a forms. Contract Officers'
Technical Representatives use the FS-5700-21 and FS-5700-21a forms as
worksheets when checking the aircraft for contract compliance. A
portion of the completed form is furnished to the contractor as proof
of compliance.
The following changes were incorporated into the forms: (1) Below
the title of each of the existing forms is a Reference to FSH 5709.12.
This handbook no longer exists. The replacement reference should read
FSH 5709.16. (2) Forms FS-5700-21 (Airplane Data Card) and FS-5700-21a
(Helicopter Data Card) reflect the many changes that have occurred in
the contracting and aircraft approval process since the forms were last
updated. The basic changes consist of removing some unnecessary
information from the ``cards,'' and adding information to the
``Authorized Uses'' blocks. In the other sections of the form the
changes reflect the deletion of unneeded information and the addition
of blocks to meet new requirements such as updated Avionics and
Synthetic Long-Line requirements.
Without the information supplied on these forms, Forest Service
contracting officers and pilot and aircraft inspectors cannot determine
if pilots and aircraft meet the detailed qualification, equipment, and
condition requirements essential to safe, effective accomplishment of
Forest Service specified flying missions. Without reasonable basis to
determine pilot qualifications and aircraft capability, Forest Service
employees using these resources would be unnecessarily exposed to
flying hazards.
The completed forms are maintained in Forest Service Regional
headquarters under the care of the Regional aviation pilot and aircraft
inspectors. Copies of the forms may be shared with the Office of
Aircraft Services, Department of Interior, since each organization
accepts contract inspections conducted by the other as meeting their
own requirements.
The data collected from these forms will be used to document the
basis for approval of contract pilots and aircraft for specific Forest
Service aviation missions. Based upon the approvals documented on these
forms, approval cards are issued to each contractor pilot and for each
contractor aircraft. Forest Service personnel verify possession of
properly approved cards before using contractor pilots and aircraft.
The information will be collected and revised by contracting
officers or their representatives including the aircraft inspectors,
and will represent data that determines whether the aircraft and/or
pilots meet all contract specifications in accordance with Forest
Service Handbook 5709.16, chapter 10, section 16. If the information is
not collected by the Forest Service, the burden of collection,
inspection and approval will be placed on another agency, most likely
the Federal Aviation Administration. However, a joint study, conducted
with the Department of Transportation, concluded that the Forest
Service can complete their contract inspections more economically than
by transferring this additional responsibility to the Federal Aviation
Administration.
Estimate of Annual Burden: One hour.
Type of Respondents: Aircraft vendors that wish to contract with
the Federal government for aircraft services and pilots.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: Hundreds of vendors will
respond each year. Each of these vendors may have multiple aircraft and
pilots.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: Contract
vendors will be required to provide one response per year for each
aircraft and pilot that will be involved with a Federal contract.
[[Page 33092]]
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: One and a half (1.5)
hours per respondent per year.
Comment Is Invited
Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (4) 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 Comments
All comments received in response to this notice, including names
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record.
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.
Dated: May 28, 2003.
Robin L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 03-13784 Filed 6-2-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 2003/06/03 EST