[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 12, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70566-70567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24031]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Airplane Pilot Qualifications and 
Approval Record, Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record, 
Airplane Data Record, and Helicopter Data Record

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 revision of a currently approved information 
collection, Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record, 
Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record, Airplane Data 
Record, and Helicopter Data Record.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before February 11, 
2008 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 
Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fire and Aviation 
Management, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Mail Stop 1107, 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 Forest Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Fire and Aviation Management, 201 14th St., 
SW., 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: John Nelson, Aviation Management 
Specialist, 208-387-5617. Individuals who use telecommunication devices 
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-
877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record, 
Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record, Airplane Data 
Record, and Helicopter Data Record.
    OMB Number: 0596-0015.

[[Page 70567]]

    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2008.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The Forest Service contracts with approximately 400 
vendors a year for aviation services utilized in resource protection 
and project management. In recent years, the total annual use of 
contract aircraft and pilots has exceeded 100,000 hours. In order to 
maintain an acceptable level of safety, preparedness, and cost-
effectiveness in aviation operations, Forest Service contracts include 
rigorous qualifications for pilots and specific condition, equipment, 
and performance requirements for aircraft as 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 pilots and aircraft used 
for aviation operations meet specific Forest Service qualifications and 
requirements for aviation operations, prospective contract pilots fill 
out one of the following Forest Service forms:
     FS-5700-20--Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval 
Record
     FS-5700-20a--Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval 
Record
Contract Officers' Technical Representatives use forms:
     FS-5700-21--Airplane Data Record and
     FS-5700-21a--Helicopter Data Record when inspecting the 
aircraft for contract compliance.

Based upon the approval(s) documented on the form(s), each contractor 
pilot and aircraft receives an approval card. Forest Service personnel 
verify possession of properly approved cards before using contracted 
pilots and aircraft. Information collected on these forms includes:
     Name.
     Address.
     Certification numbers.
     Employment history.
     Medical Certification.
     Airplane/helicopter certifications and specifications.
     Accident/violation history.
Without the collected information, Forest Service contracting officers, 
as well as Forest Service pilot and aircraft inspections, cannot 
determine if contracted pilots and aircraft meet the detailed 
qualification, equipment, and condition requirements essential to safe, 
effective accomplishment of Forest Service specified flying missions. 
Without a reasonable basis to determine pilot qualifications and 
aircraft capability, exposure of Forest Service employees to hazardous 
conditions would result. The data collected documents the approval of 
contract pilots and aircraft for specific Forest Service aviation 
missions.
    Information will be collected and reviewed by contracting officers 
or their designated representatives, including aircraft inspectors, to 
determine whether the aircraft and/or pilot(s) meet all contract 
specifications in accordance with FS Handbook 5709.16, chapter 10, 
section 16. Forest Service regional aviation pilot and aircraft 
inspectors maintain the collected information in Forest Service 
regional headquarters offices. The Forest Service, at times, shares the 
information with the Department of the Interior Aviation Management 
Directorate, as each organization accepts contract inspections 
conducted by the other.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 60 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Vendors/contractors.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2100.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1050.
    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 request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: December 5, 2007.
Robin L. Thompson,
Associate Deputy Chief.
 [FR Doc. E7-24031 Filed 12-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P