[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 151 (Friday, August 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48042-48043]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19842]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Intent To Request Review and Approval From the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) of a Proposed Public Collection of 
Information

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this notice announces that the FAA is planning to submit a 
proposed information collection request to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Through this notice, the FAA is 
soliciting comment on the proposed, one-time information request of a 
Volcanic Ash User Needs Survey.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 3, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or delivered to the FAA at the 
following address: Mr. Steven Albersheim, Room 8320, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Aviation Weather Policy Division, ARW-100, 400, 7th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Judy Street at 800 Independence 
Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, or on (202) 267-9895.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Volcanic Ash User Needs Survey.
    Abstract: Volcanic activity, specifically volcanic ash, constitutes 
a severe hazard to aviation. Over the past 20 years there have been 
numerous reports and aircraft encounters with volcanic ash at cruise 
altitude. The FAA as part of its responsibility to safeguard the usage 
of the National Airspace System (NAS) has a variety of ways to alert 
users of the inherent dangers associated with volcanic ash. This 
includes surface observations, Volcanic Ash Advisories, pilot reports, 
volcanic ash graphics, Notice to Airmen, and significant meteorological 
statements. All of these products are generally available to users of 
the NAS during a volcanic eruption that results in an ash cloud that 
endangers the safety of flight or ground operations at the aerodrome. 
However, there is evidence that FAA needs to improve the quality of 
information and dissemination for products to flight crews, airline 
operations centers (i.e., dispatchers and meteorologists), and airport 
managers. To accomplish this, the FAA plans to survey a variety of 
airline/airport service professionals and pilots to better understand 
their specific operational needs. The results of the survey will be 
used to identify the shortfalls in the existing alerting mechanism with 
the aim of defining firm requirements to improve the quality of 
information on volcanic eruptions/ash and its dissemination to users of 
the NAS.
    The survey consists of four parts. The first part of the 
questionnaire identifies the respondent's function and responsibility 
with regard to the usage

[[Page 48043]]

of volcanic ash products. The second par of the survey requests 
participants to identify whether they have any operational experience 
with volcanic ash. If participants respond positively that they have 
had experience with volcanic ash, they are then requested to complete 
the third and fourth part of the survey. The third part of the survey 
requests participants to assess the quality of products available and 
means to improve them or develop any new products that may be required. 
The final part of the survey requests participants to describe their 
training needs to better understand existing products and how to 
improve decision making.
    Description and number of proposed respondents: A survey has been 
designed to gather information from flight crews, dispatchers, and 
airport managers. It is anticipated that the FAA will survey 
approximately 50 flight crew members, 20 dispatchers in airline 
operations centers, 30 meteorologists in airline meteorological 
departments and 15 airport managers. The survey of these individuals is 
to be a one time event.
    Burden hours: It is estimated that it will take about 30 to 60 
minutes to answer the questionnaire. Using the higher 60 minute 
estimate, the total burden, if all respond, would be 115 hours for all 
respondents combined.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. Therefore, the FAA is soliciting 
comments to: (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (ii) Evaluate 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; (iii) Enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(iv) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
electronic, mechanical or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 28, 2000.
Patricia W. Carter,
Acting Manager, Standards and Information Division, APF-100.
[FR Doc. 00-19842 Filed 8-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M