[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 234 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62879-62880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26372]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent To Request Extension From OMB of One Current Public 
Collection of Information: Federal Flight Deck Officer Program

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: 60-day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites 
public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request 
(ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0011, 
abstracted below that we will submit to OMB for an extension in 
compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes 
the nature of

[[Page 62880]]

the information collection and its expected burden. The collection 
requires interested volunteers to fill out an application to determine 
their qualification for participating in the Federal Flight Deck 
Officer (FFDO) Program.

DATES: Send your comments by February 4, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to [email protected] or delivered 
to the TSA PRA Officer, Information Technology (IT), TSA-11, 
Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, 
Arlington, VA 20598-6011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina A. Walsh at the above 
address, or by telephone (571) 227-2062.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation will be 
available at http://www.reginfo.gov upon its submission to OMB. 
Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and approval of the following 
information collection, TSA is soliciting comments to--
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Consistent with the requirements of Executive Order (E.O.) 13771, 
Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, and E.O. 13777, 
Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda, TSA is also requesting comments 
on the extent to which this request for information could be modified 
to reduce the burden on respondents.

Information Collection Requirement

    OMB Control Number 1652-0011; Federal Flight Deck Officer Program. 
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) initially required 
this information collection under the authority of the Arming Pilots 
Against Terrorism Act (APATA), Title XIV of the Homeland Security Act 
(Nov. 25, 2002), sec. 1402(a), as amended by Title VI of the Vision 
100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Vision 100) (Dec. 12, 
2003), sec. 609(b). Public Law 107-296, 116 Stat. 2300, as codified at 
49 U.S.C. 44921, as amended by Public Law 108-176, 117 Stat. 2570. TSA 
is seeking to renew this information collection in order to continue 
collecting the information described in this notice to comply with its 
statutory mission. The APATA required TSA to establish a program to 
deputize volunteer pilots of passenger air carriers as Federal law 
enforcement officers to defend the flight deck of their aircraft 
against acts of criminal violence or air piracy. With the enactment of 
Vision 100, eligibility to participate in the FFDO program expanded to 
include pilots of all-cargo aircraft, as well as flight engineers and 
navigators on both passenger and cargo aircraft.
    In order to screen volunteers for entry into the FFDO program, TSA 
collects from applicants information, including name, address, prior 
address information, personal references, criminal history, limited 
medical information, financial information, and employment information, 
through comprehensive applications they submit to TSA. In addition, TSA 
conducts an interview with each applicant. Based on the average number 
of new applicants to the FFDO program, TSA estimates a total of 3,000 
respondents annually. TSA estimates that the online application will 
take one hour for each applicant to complete, for a total burden of 
3,000 hours.

    Dated: November 28, 2018.
Christina A. Walsh,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2018-26372 Filed 12-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-05-P