[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33091-33092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13784]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Aviation Forms

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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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: [email protected].
    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