[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38265-38266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15347]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection: Forest Service Pilot and Aircraft Record 
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 
USDA Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals 
and organizations on the renewal with revisions of a currently approved 
information collection, Forest Service Pilot and Aircraft Record Forms.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 20, 
2021 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Commenters are encouraged to submit comments by email, if 
possible. You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     Telephone: 202-557-1545.
     Mail: Paul Linse, Assistant Director Aviation, Fire and 
Aviation Management, USDA Forest Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Mailstop 1107, Washington, DC 20250-1107.
     Facsimile: 208-387-5735.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Paul Linse, Assistant Director 
Aviation, USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 1107, Washington, DC 20250-1107.
    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 into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Linse, Assistant Director 
Aviation, Fire and Aviation Management, 202-205-1483. Individuals who 
use

[[Page 38266]]

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: Forest Service Pilot and Aircraft Record Forms.
    OMB Number: 0596-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2022.
    Type of Request: Renewal with revisions of a currently approved 
information collection.
    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 pilots and aircraft 
used for aviation operations meet specific Forest Service 
qualifications and requirements for aviation operations, prospective 
contract pilots complete 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

    Agency Aircraft Inspectors use the following forms when inspecting 
aircraft for contract compliance:

 FS-5700-21--Airplane Data Record
 FS-5700-21a--Helicopter Data Record

    Based upon approval(s) documented on the form(s), each contractor 
pilot and aircraft receive an approval card. Forest Service personnel 
verify possession of properly approved cards before using contracted 
pilots and aircraft.
    Information collected on pilot forms includes:

 Name.
 Address.
 Certification numbers.
 Employment history.
 Medical Certification.
 Airplane/helicopter certifications and specifications.
 Accident/violation history.

    Without the collected information, Forest Service Pilot and 
Aircraft Inspectors and Forest Service Contracting Officers cannot 
determine whether contracted pilots and aircraft meet 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. Data collected documents approval of contract 
pilots and aircraft for specific Forest Service aviation special 
missions. Information will be collected and reviewed by Pilot and 
Aircraft Inspectors to determine whether aircraft and/or pilot(s) meet 
all agency requirements in accordance with Forest Service Handbook 
(FSH) 5709.16, chapter 10, sections 15 and 16. Forest Service pilot and 
aircraft inspectors maintain collected information in Forest Service 
regional and national offices. The Forest Service, at times, shares the 
information with the Department of the Interior, Office of Aviation 
Services, 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: 2,100.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,100 hours.
    Comment Is Invited: Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this 
collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes and 
proper performance of Agency functions, including whether the 
information will have practical or scientific utility; (2) accuracy of 
the Agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, 
including validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of information to be 
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including 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.

Jaelith Rivera,
Acting Deputy Chief, State & Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2021-15347 Filed 7-19-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P