[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1409-1410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-307]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comments; Aviation Forms

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 reinstatement of the currently approved collection 
for four aviation forms that assist in the documentation of pilot and 
aircraft qualifications, approval, and data records. These Office of 
Management and Budget approved forms include (1) FS-5700-20, Airplane 
Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record; (2) FS-5700-20a, Helicopter 
Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record; (3) FS-5700-21, Airplane Data 
Record; and (4) FS-5700-21a, Helicopter Data Record.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before March 8, 2005, 
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 John 
Nelson, Fire and Aviation Management, Mail Stop 1107, Forest Service, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250-0003.
    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 Office of Fire and 
Aviation Management, Yates Building, 2 SW., Forest Service, USDA 201 
Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC, during normal business hours. 
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (202) 205-0995 to facilitate 
entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Nelson, Aviation Management 
Specialist at (202) 205-0995. 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: FS-5700-20, Airplane Pilot 
Qualifications and Approval Record; FS-5700-20a, Helicopter Pilot 
Qualifications and Approval Record; FS-5700-21, Airplane Data Record; 
and FS-5700-21a, Helicopter Data Record.
    OMB Number: 0596-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2005.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement with revision to the FS-5700-20, 
Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record; FS-5700-20a, 
Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record, including 
electronic versions.
    Abstract: The Forest Service (FS) 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 conditions, 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 
for aviation operations meet the specific Forest Service qualifications 
and other requirements for aviation operations, prospective contract 
pilots must provide

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information on the FS-5700-20, Airplane Pilot Qualifications and 
Approval Record, and FS-5700-20(a), Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and 
Approval Record. Contract Officers' Technical Representatives use FS-
5700-21, Airplane Data Record, and FS-5700-21(a), Helicopter Data 
Record, when inspecting the aircraft for contract compliance. A portion 
of the completed form is furnished to the contractor as proof of 
compliance.
    Without the information supplied, 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 contracted pilots 
and aircraft. Information will be collected and reviewed by Contracting 
Officers or their representatives, including aircraft inspectors, and 
will represent data that determines whether the aircraft and/or pilots 
meet all contract specifications in accordance with FSH 5709.16, 
Chapter 10, section 16.
    Estimate of Annual Burden:
    (1) FS-5700-20, Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record: 
25 minutes.
    (2) FS-5700-20a, Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval 
Record: 25 minutes.
    (3) FS-5700-21, Airplane Data Record: 35 minutes.
    (4) FS-5700-21a, Helicopter Data Record: 35 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Aircraft vendors that wish to contract with 
the federal government for aircraft services and pilots.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2,100.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,058 hours.
    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.
    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 for 
Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: January 3, 2005.
Robin L. Thompson,
Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 05-307 Filed 1-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P