View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package
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Please note that the OMB number and expiration date may not have been determined when this Information Collection Request and associated Information Collection forms were submitted to OMB. The approved OMB number and expiration date may be found by clicking on the Notice of Action link below.
View ICR - OIRA Conclusion
OMB Control No:
2120-0749
ICR Reference No:
201910-2120-003
Status:
Historical Active
Previous ICR Reference No:
201607-2120-002
Agency/Subagency:
DOT/FAA
Agency Tracking No:
Title:
Operations Specifications, Part 129 Application
Type of Information Collection:
Reinstatement with change of a previously approved collection
Common Form ICR:
No
Type of Review Request:
Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action:
Approved without change
Conclusion Date:
04/19/2020
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)
Date Received in OIRA:
01/16/2020
Terms of Clearance:
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
Expiration Date
04/30/2023
36 Months From Approved
Responses
4,231
0
0
Time Burden (Hours)
21,295
0
0
Cost Burden (Dollars)
0
0
0
Abstract:
The purpose of the collection of information is used to evaluate whether foreign air carriers requesting new authority or with existing authority to operate in the U.S. will be able to conduct their operations safely within the National Airspace System (NAS) and in compliance with international obligations. Operators meeting those standards are issued operations specifications (OpSpecs) authorizing them to operate in the U.S. Consistent with previous practices, FAA includes a regulatory standard for issuing maintenance OpSpecs to persons operating U.S.-registered aircraft outside the U.S. in common carriage. Operators are required to respond, as needed, to the collection to obtain or retain a benefit (OpSpecs). OpSpecs are issued to the operator applying. OpSpecs are not available for viewing to the general public. OpSpecs are available for viewing to FAA offices for the purpose of safety oversight of the operators. FAA occasionally shares OpSpecs information, as needed, with other agencies such as Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Transportation (DOT) or to answer questions from U.S. congress. The FAA requires foreign operators applying for the issuance or amendment of OpSpecs to submit supporting documentation. The type of documentation that a foreign operator needs to provide to the FAA is identified in FAA Order 8900.1 volume 12, which is publicly available . The information is helpful to new applicants as well as existing operators.
Authorizing Statute(s):
US Code:
49 USC 44701
Name of Law: General requirements
Citations for New Statutory Requirements:
None
Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:
Stage of Rulemaking:
Federal Register Citation:
Date:
Not associated with rulemaking
Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:
Federal Register Citation:
Citation Date:
84 FR 13095
04/03/2019
30-day Notice:
Federal Register Citation:
Citation Date:
84 FR 54943
10/11/2019
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR?
No
Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR:
2
IC Title
Form No.
Form Name
Operations Specifications, Part 129 New Applicants
Operations Specifications, part 129 application existing operators
ICR Summary of Burden
Total Approved
Previously Approved
Change Due to New Statute
Change Due to Agency Discretion
Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses
4,231
0
0
4,206
0
25
Annual Time Burden (Hours)
21,295
0
0
20,845
0
450
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion:
Yes
Burden Increase Due to:
Miscellaneous Actions
Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion:
Yes
Burden Reduction Due to:
Miscellaneous Actions
Short Statement:
The FAA, based on additional data analysis, has amended the number of respondents and burden to include that on an existing operators. Also included indirect costs, using FAA AC 187. New technologies, larger and more sophisticated aircraft, an evolving operational environment required amendments in content, limitations and provisions of certain OpSpecs. These amendments to OpSpecs influenced collection and burden. FAA inspectors spend a significant amount of time in indirect work such as training, review of policy and guidance documents associated with each OpSpec authorization, as well as time on various administrative functions such as PTRS and WebOPSS entries for which the AC accounts for in its fee calculation. When the foreign operator operates U.S. registered aircraft there is also the additional indirect cost of issuing Special Purpose Pilot Authorizations (SPPAs). IFO recordkeeping is another indirect cost associated with the collection. Advanced technology requires a high level of expertise and specialized training for both operators and FAA. Differences in manufacturing technical standards for avionics equipment and airplane flight manuals all add to the challenge. In the last three years, there were 47 various types of OpSpecs issued by IFOs to foreign operators, some of which authorized for the use of advanced technology requiring a high level of knowledge and expertise, which takes time to acquire. More operators have also been applying for more complex OpSpecs such as OpSpecs authorizing required navigation performance authorization required, (RNP-AR), and OpSpecs authorizing special procedures or lower landing minimums. since the last collection renewal: - One OpSpec has undergone two changes for advancements in technology that allowed operators to communicate with Air traffic Control (ATC) electronically instead of regular radio-voice communications. The first change allowed operators to pick up ATC departure clearance via controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC). The second change, extended this type of communication (data link as opposed to voice communication), to the en route phase of flight while in U.S. airspace. The significance of this type of electronic communication is that it brings improved efficiency and safety through the reduction of operational errors associated with voice communications. In addition to the safety aspect, use of data communications carries a significant cost savings to taxpayers and operators which is why this OpSpec change was so important to make. -The FAA has amended OpSpecs for area navigation visual flight procedures previously issued via Letter of Authorization stored at IFOs desk drawers. The inclusion of these procedures in OpSpecs added transparency and improved oversight of foreign air carriers, critical when participating operators need to be quickly notified of procedural changes or suspensions to these procedures occur. -The FAA has also combined OpSpecs for category II and III landing minimums. This helped to cut down the volume of OpSpecs operators need to be issued/reissued.
Annual Cost to Federal Government:
$2,460,690
Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods?
No
Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see
OMB Circular No. A-130
for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.
No
Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see
5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3)
)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.
No
Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]?
No
Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]?
No
Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)?
No
Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response?
Uncollected
Agency Contact:
Danuta Pronczuk 202 267-0923 danuta.pronczuk@faa.gov
Common Form ICR:
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date:
01/16/2020
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