Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a Renewed Approval of Information Collection: National Air Tours Safety Standards
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FAA wants to make sure that people flying on sightseeing or commercial air tours are safe, so they are asking companies that run these tours to share information about their flights. They also want people to say if they think this is important and if it will take too much time for the companies to do.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comments on its plan to renew an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This collection relates to safety rules for various types of sightseeing and commercial air tour flights. The FAA wants to ensure compliance and improve overall safety by requiring air tour operators to submit information. Comments are invited on the necessity and burden of this information collection, with submissions due by March 3, 2021.
Abstract
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 to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 24, 2020. The collection involves requirements in FAA regulations that set safety and oversight rules for a broad variety of sightseeing and commercial air tour flights to improve the overall safety of commercial air tours by requiring all air tours to submit information.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register pertains to the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) intention to renew an information collection requirement under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The focus of this collection is on improving the safety standards for various sightseeing and commercial air tours. The initiative seeks public comments about this intention, with a particular interest in whether the information collection is essential, the estimated burden it imposes, and suggestions for minimizing this burden without compromising data quality.
General Summary
The FAA is actively seeking public input regarding its renewal plan for collecting information from commercial air tour operators. The primary goal of this initiative is to ensure better compliance with safety regulations and enhance the overall safety of air tour operations. The information collection is expected to cover around 13,751 respondents annually and has an estimated total annual burden of 5,182 hours. Public comments are being solicited on various factors related to the collection process, with a deadline for submission set for March 3, 2021.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Several issues arise from the document which may need addressing:
Lack of Specificity: The document does not detail the specific safety and oversight rules that necessitate the information collection. This lack of detail might create ambiguity regarding the scope and necessity of these regulations.
Transparency Concerns: While the document provides estimates on the number of respondents and the total burden, it does not elaborate on how these figures were derived. This omission could be viewed as lacking transparency for stakeholders seeking to understand the impact of these regulations.
Burden Per Response: The average burden per response is noted as varying, but without specific ranges or examples, respondents may find it challenging to gauge the personal or organizational impact.
Enforcement Uncertainty: No details are provided about the potential enforcement actions for non-compliance, which could lead to uncertainty among commercial air tour operators regarding regulatory expectations.
Submission Methods: The suggested methods for submitting comments—namely email, fax, or mail—may be seen as outdated, potentially limiting accessibility for some and not leveraging modern digital communication options.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the document and its requirements aim to enhance the safety of commercial air tours, which is a positive outcome for the general public. By mandating that operators submit particular information, the FAA can ensure compliance with safety standards, potentially reducing the risk of incidents during air tours. This renewed focus on safety could reassure the public about the safety measures in place for commercial air transportation.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For commercial air tour operators, this initiative presents a mixed impact. On the positive side, adhering to robust safety standards may enhance their reputation and trust with customers. However, the potential costs and time associated with complying with the information submission requirements represent a significant consideration. Smaller operators particularly might experience these requirements as a burdensome administrative undertaking.
For stakeholders interested in aviation safety or representing consumer interest, such as advocacy groups, the initiative may represent a step forward in safety oversight. However, these stakeholders might also push for more detailed information about the implementation and enforcement to ensure that safety gains are meaningful and sustained.
In conclusion, while the renewal of this information collection aims to improve safety outcomes, clarity, and transparency surrounding its details and impacts, including nuances of enforcement and reporting burden, will be crucial to its overall success and acceptance by affected parties.
Issues
• The document does not provide detailed information about the specific safety and oversight rules that require the collection of information, which may lead to ambiguity about its necessity and scope.
• The document mentions an estimated total annual burden of 5,182 hours and approximately 13,751 respondents, but does not explain how these numbers were calculated, which could be seen as lacking transparency.
• The estimated average burden per response is not clearly defined, as the document states it varies per respondent without providing specific ranges or examples, making it difficult to assess the impact on respondents.
• There is no information provided on any specific potential enforcement actions or criteria used by the FAA when addressing non-compliance, which could lead to uncertainty among commercial air tour operators.
• The method of submission for comments (email, fax, mail) might be seen as outdated, potentially limiting the accessibility for some respondents who have access to more modern digital communication methods.