[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 72 (Friday, April 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25911-25912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07793]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1282]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; 
Clearance of a New Approval of Information Collection: Certificates of 
Waivers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA 
invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) approval a new information collection. The 
Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting 
comments on the following collection of information was published on 
June 12, 2023. The FAA proposes collecting information related to 
requests for certificate of waivers made to operate Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems (UAS) in deviation from the normal operating rules. The list of 
rules subject to waiver requests is found in the Code of Federal 
Regulations. The FAA will use the collected information to make 
determinations whether to authorize or deny the requested operation of 
UAS. The proposed information collection is necessary to issue such 
authorizations or denials consistent with the FAA's mandate to ensure 
safe and efficient use of national airspace.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by May 13, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rahat Ali by email at: 
[email protected]; phone: 202-267-8780.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of 
this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for FAA's performance; (b) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the 
quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) 
ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of 
the collected information.
    OMB Control Number: 2120-XXXX.
    Title: Certificates of Waivers under 14 CFR 91.903.
    Form Numbers: Not applicable.
    Type of Review: Approval of new Information Collection.
    Background: The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment 
period soliciting comments on the following collection of information 
was published on June 12, 2023. 88 FR 38121. The

[[Page 25912]]

FAA received one comment from Commercial Drone Alliance (``CDA'') for 
the collection of information associated with Certificates of Waivers 
under 14 CFR 91.903. Comments received from CDA emphasized the 
importance of enabling large-scale operations of Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems (UAS) in a safe and secure manner. CDA also suggested FAA 
streamline the waiver process and approval of other aviation operations 
permission, and for FAA to consider expanding the list of rules that 
can be waived to support safe UAS operations. However, comments 
received from CDA were out of scope of the 60-Day federal notice 
published, which was specific to the collection and burden associated 
with processing of Waivers or Authorization for 14 CFR 91 UAS 
operations.
    The title 14, part 91 of the Code of Federal Regulations prescribes 
the rules governing the operation of aircraft within the United States. 
Included in this is the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), 
commonly known as drones, by both civil and public aircraft operators. 
A subset of this regulations (14 CFR 91.903) allows for operators of 
aircraft to apply for a certificate of waiver authorizing the operator 
to deviate from the rules listed in Sec.  91.905 if the proposed 
operation can be conducted safely.
    To process certificate of waiver requests, the FAA requires the 
name of the person or organization sponsoring the request, mailing 
address, information related to any pending or to prior waiver requests 
that were denied or rescinded, the regulation sought to deviate from, 
time and location of the proposed operation, the make and model of the 
aircraft, and the pilot's name, address, and certificate number and 
rating. This information is necessary for the FAA to meet its statutory 
mandate of maintaining a safe and efficient national airspace. (See 49 
U.S.C. 40103, 44701, and 44807.) The FAA will use the requested 
information to determine if the proposed UAS operation can be conducted 
safely.
    Respondents: UAS operators seeking to a certificate of waiver under 
14 CFR 91.903. Between 2023-2026, the FAA estimates that it will 
receive a total of 5,105 certificate of waiver requests with 4,925 
coming from public users and 180 coming from civil users. The FAA also 
estimates that it will receive a total 2,572 requests to initially 
access the web portal.
    Frequency: The requested information will need to be provided each 
time a respondent requests a certificate of waiver under part 91 and 
the first time that a respondent requests to access the web portal.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: The FAA estimates the 
respondents will take an average of 15 minutes to complete the Access 
Request Form and 120 minutes to request a certificate of waiver.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 3,284 hours for those completing 
certificate of waiver requests. 124 hours for those completing the 
Access Request Form.

    Issued in Washington, DC
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2024-07793 Filed 4-11-24; 8:45 am]
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