[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 145 (Thursday, July 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45225-45226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19047]


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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 September 26, 
2011 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: USDA 
Forest Service, Assistant Director Aviation, Fire and Aviation 
Management, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Mailstop 1107, Washington, 
DC 20250-1107.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 202-205-1401, phone 
202-205-1483 or by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at USDA Forest Service, 
Fire and Aviation Management, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250, during normal business hours. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to 202-205-1483 to facilitate entry to the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Art Hinaman, Assistant Director 
Aviation, 202-205-1483. Individuals who use telecommunication devices 
for the deaf

[[Page 45226]]

(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, 
Helicopter Pilot. Qualifications and Approval Record, Airplane Data 
Record and Helicopter Data Record.
    OMB Number: 0596-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 12/31/2011.
    Type of Request: Renewal with Revision.
    Abstract: The Forest Service contracts with approximately 400 
vendors a year for commercial aviation services utilized in resource 
protection and project management. In recent years, the total annual 
use of contract aircraft and pilots has exceeded 80,000 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.
     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. The 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 
and effective accomplishment of Forest Service specified flying 
missions.
    Without a reasonable basis to determine pilot qualifications and 
aircraft capability, Forest Service employees would be exposed to 
hazardous conditions. 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, sections 15 and 16. Forest Service pilot and aircraft inspectors 
maintain the collected information in Forest Service regional 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: 2100 hours.
    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.
    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: July 22, 2011.
Robin L. Thompson,
Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2011-19047 Filed 7-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P