[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 102 (Friday, May 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12957]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 27, 1994]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 101-37

[FPMR Amendment G-107]

 

Government Aviation Administration and Coordination

AGENCY: Federal Supply Service, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation implements the guidance and direction of OMB 
Circular A-126, May 22, 1992, pertaining to aviation safety programs 
within Federal agencies. This action is necessary to establish the 
requirement for aviation safety programs within all Federal aviation 
operations. Implementation of this regulation will improve safety 
awareness and management in the use of Government aviation resources.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 27, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Godwin, Aircraft Management 
Division (703-305-6399).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The General Services Administration (GSA) 
has determined that this rule is not a significant rule for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.

REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ACT: This final rule is not required to be 
published in the Federal Register for notice and comment. Therefore, 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply.

List of Subjects in 41 CFR Part 101-37

    Aircraft, Air transportation, Aviation, Government property 
management.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 41 CFR part 101-37 is 
amended as follows:

PART 101-37--GOVERNMENT AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AND COORDINATION

    1. The authority citation for part 101-37 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 1344; Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390; 40 U.S.C. 
486(c).

    2. Subpart 101-37.12 is added to read as follows:

SUBPART 101-37.12--FEDERAL AGENCY AVIATION SAFETY PROGRAM


Sec. 101-37.1200  General.

    (a) This subpart sets forth guidance to agencies for establishing 
aviation safety programs in accordance with the direction given to GSA 
in OMB Circular A-126, but the subpart is not binding on other 
agencies.
    (b) The aviation safety program objective is the safe 
accomplishment of the agency mission, and is a direct result of 
effective management which should include attention to detail 
sufficient to preclude the occurrence of an accident. Each agency 
should establish appropriate key management positions and define their 
responsibilities and qualifications. Agencies should ensure these 
positions are staffed with properly qualified personnel.


Sec. 101-37.1201  Applicability.

    As prescribed in this subpart 101-37.12, the requirement to develop 
and operate an aviation safety program which addresses all program 
facets including, but not limited to, flight, ground, and weapons 
environments, is applicable to all Federal aviation programs.


Sec. 101-37.1202  Agency aviation safety responsibilities.

    Agencies operating aviation programs are responsibilities for 
establishing and conducting a comprehensive aviation safety program. 
Agencies should appoint qualified aviation safety managers at both the 
national and operational program level.


Sec. 101-37.1203  Avaiation safety manager qualifications.

    (a) Aviation safety manager positions may be full time or 
additional duty, based on program mission requirements. In general, an 
aviation safety manger should, regardless of management level:
    (1) Be knowledgeable in agency aviation program activities within 
his/her purview;
    (2) Have experience as a pilot, crew member, or in aviation 
operations management; and
    (3) Be a graduate of a recognized aviation safety officer or 
accident prevention course, or qualified within 1 year through 
attendance at formal courses(s) of instruction.
    (b) These standards should be used as a guide to ensure that 
qualified personnel are selected as safety managers. However, they do 
not supersede those job classifications prescribed by the Office of 
Personnel Management or other appropriate authority.


Sec. 101-37.1204  Program responsibilities.

    Agencies will ensure that policies, objectives, and standards are 
established and clearly defined to support an effective aviation 
accident prevention effort. The aviation safety manager should develop 
and implement an agency aviation safety program which integrates agency 
safety policy into aviation related activities.


Sec. 101-37.1205  Program elements.

    As a recommendation, aviation safety program elements should 
include, but not be limited to, the following:
    (a) Aviation safety council;
    (b) Inspections and evaluations;
    (c) Hazard reporting;
    (d) Aircraft accident and incident investigation;
    (e) Education and training;
    (f) Aviation protective equipment;
    (g) Aviation qualification and certification; and
    (h) Awards program.


Sec. 101-37.1206  Aviation safety council.

    (a) Each agency should establish aviation safety councils at the 
appropriate aircraft operations level. The purpose of the council is to 
promote safety by exchanging ideas, reviewing, and discussing hazard 
reports and accident and incident reports, and assessing the threat to 
safe operation inherent in mission operations plans. The council should 
function to recommend changes to agency policies, rules, regulations, 
procedures, and operations based upon such discussions, reviews, and 
assessments. The council should meet regularly and should consist, at a 
minimum, of those individuals within the organization responsible for 
the following areas:
    (1) Operations/mission planning;
    (2) Safety;
    (3) Aircrew training;
    (4) Maintenance; and
    (5) Aircrew scheduling.
    (b) Safety meetings for operations and maintenance personnel are 
used to increase the education and awareness of agency personnel 
regarding the hazards associated with aviation and to discuss mishap 
prevention. Meetings should be scheduled and conducted on a regular 
basis.


Sec. 101-37.1207  Inspections and evaluations.

    The purpose of any inspection or evaluation is to prevent aviation 
accidents and to foster aviation safety.
    (a) Each agency should establish and maintain an inspection and 
evaluation program for all aviation activities. All operational 
elements of the aviation activity should be regularly inspected and 
evaluated based on standardized criteria established by the agency. The 
purpose of this program is to ensure that the agency mission is being 
carried out in accordance with Federal and agency safety regulations 
and directives.
    (b) Records should be kept and will identify the function or work 
area involved, date(s), hazard(s) identified, and recommended 
corrective action(s). All agencies will ensure appropriate resolution 
and close-out.


Sec. 101-37.1208  Hazard reporting.

    Each agency safety program should include an aviation hazard 
reporting and resolution tracking system. Hazards are identified as 
conditions, practices, or procedures that constitute an immediate or 
potential threat to the safe conduct of aviation operations and may be 
reported by any person. Reports may be submitted on any event, 
procedure, practice, or condition that adversely affects safety of 
aviation operations. Prompt resolution of hazards, by safety threat 
priority, should be the goal of the agency.


Sec. 101-37.1209  Aircraft accident and incident investigation and 
reporting.

    Each agency aviation safety program should have an aircraft 
accident and incident investigation and reporting capability (see 
subpart 101-37.11).


Sec. 101-37.1210  Education and training.

    Each aviation operations program should develop and conduct 
aviation safety training within applicable OPM guidelines. 
Identification, development, and presentation of training needs that 
are unique to respective programs should be accomplished as required. 
Training frequency, duration, and currency requirements should be 
developed for each safety discipline, and should consist of initial and 
recurring training.


Sec. 101-37.1211  Aviation protective equipment.

    Each agency should establish an aviation protective equipment 
program. Such a program should ensure that all personnel flying aboard 
agency aircraft are equipped with, or have at their disposal, 
appropriate aviation life support equipment.


Sec. 101-37.1212  Aircrew qualification and certification.

    Minimum standards for aircraft operations are established by OPM 
Position Classification Series GS-2181. Agencies should periodically 
review operational requirements to establish or revise aircrew 
standards. Such standards should ensure that aircrew members meet the 
minimum qualification and certification necessary for the continued 
safe operation of aircraft.


Sec. 101-37.1213  Aircraft accident and incident database.

    Each agency should establish an aircraft accident and incident data 
collection system to support an effective aviation safety and accident 
prevention program. The database should include:
    (a) Owner and operator of the aircraft;
    (b) Federal Aviation Administration registration number or assigned 
tail number;
    (c) Aircraft make, model, and serial number;
    (d) Location of occurrence;
    (e) Date of mishap (month/day/year);
    (f) Type of mishap, accident, or incident (see Sec. 101-37.1101, 
Definitions);
    (g) Estimated damage to the aircraft;
    (h) Type of injury; no injury, serious injury, or fatal injury (see 
Sec. 101-37.1101, Definitions);
    (i) Brief description of the circumstances; and
    (j) Name of the investigator as it appears on the factual report 
(see Sec. 101-37.1108).


Sec. 101-37.1214  Aviation safety awards program.

    Each agency should establish an aviation safety awards program to 
recognize individuals and organizations for exceptional acts or service 
in support of the organizational aviation safety program. Such a 
program should provide for awards in flight, ground, and weapons 
safety, if applicable.

    Dated: May 16, 1994.
Roger W. Johnson,
Administrator of General Services.
[FR Doc. 94-12957 Filed 5-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-24-M