Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Federal Aviation Regulation Part 119-Certification: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FAA wants to check if airplane companies are following the rules, so they ask these companies to send in some information. They want to hear what people think about this information process and if it can be made easier.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comments on its plan to renew the information collection required for certifying air carriers and commercial operators under Federal Aviation Regulation part 119. Organizations seeking certification must report necessary information, which the FAA uses to ensure compliance with aviation regulations. Public comments on the necessity, accuracy, and ways to improve or reduce the burden of the information collection are invited until March 22, 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 November 4, 2020. Organizations that desire to become or remain certified as air carriers or commercial operators are mandated to report information to the FAA. The information collected reflects requirements necessary under parts 135, 121, and 125 to comply with Federal Aviation Regulation part 119--Certification: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators. The FAA will use the information it collects and reviews to ensure compliance and adherence to regulations and, if necessary, to take enforcement action on violators of the regulations.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question is a notice from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seeking public input on its proposal to renew an information collection process required for certifying air carriers and commercial operators. The FAA collects this information to ensure compliance with aviation regulations as stipulated under Federal Aviation Regulation part 119. Members of the public are invited to submit their comments by March 22, 2021, through a specified online platform.
General Summary
The FAA is mandated to collect certain information from organizations that seek to become or maintain their status as certified air carriers or commercial operators. This process involves compliance with parts of aviation regulation, specifically targeting the certification aspect. The Notice succinctly describes the nature of the information being gathered, the obligations of the respondents, and the intention to seek approval for renewing this information collection process.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One of the profound issues presented in the document is where it defines the estimated average burden per response as 5,174.5 hours. This figure is notably high, suggesting potential inefficiencies or overly complex requirements in the current process. The lack of clarity on the estimated total annual burden of $155,016.73 also raises questions about the underlying assumptions and calculations used to derive this cost, which might obscure inefficiencies in resource utilization.
The document notes that a comment received during a previous comment period was disregarded as political. This handling may signal a lack of transparency and openness to all types of feedback, which could serve as a critique of the public consultation process. Furthermore, the "frequency" section’s statement that it "varies per requirement" is vague and may cause confusion about the expectations for different respondents.
Additionally, the document is dense with technical jargon, such as the "OMB Control Number: 2120-0593," without offering explanations understandable to a general audience. This could be seen as a barrier to public engagement and effective comment submission.
Public Impact
Broadly, the document highlights a bureaucratic process that affects the certification and ongoing operation of air carriers and commercial operators. Its impact on the general public is tied to the efficiency and safety of air transportation systems, which rely on stringent regulatory oversight as facilitated by documents like this.
The process could impact particular stakeholders, including current and prospective air carriers and commercial operators, by imposing significant reporting burdens. The high estimated burden hours suggest that these parties might experience considerable resource allocation challenges—time, manpower, and financial costs—associated with meeting regulatory requirements. If the process is indeed cumbersome, this might stifle new entrants into the aviation market or strain smaller operators.
Stakeholder Impact
From a positive perspective, if the information collection results in improved compliance, the public could benefit from safer aviation standards and practices. Stakeholders such as consumers of air travel services may enjoy more reliable and secure flying experiences due to the stringent checks and balances encouraged by these regulations.
Conversely, if inefficiencies within the process are not addressed, the stakeholders could face increased operational costs that might ultimately be passed on to consumers in the form of higher ticket prices or reduced service offerings. Operators may also face challenges adapting to or complying with these requirements, particularly if the obligations are perceived as overly burdensome or not clearly communicated.
In summary, while renewing the information collection approval serves necessary regulatory purposes, it simultaneously spotlights potential inefficiencies and areas for improvement. Addressing these could enhance the effectiveness, transparency, and public perception of the FAA’s regulatory efforts.
Financial Assessment
The document in question provides an overview of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) request to renew an information collection related to the certification of air carriers and commercial operators, as stipulated under Federal Aviation Regulation part 119. A significant aspect of this document is its focus on the economic implications of the data collection process.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
The document mentions an estimated total annual burden of $155,016.73. However, the explanation of what this figure encompasses is not provided, leading to potential confusion. It is unclear whether this amount refers solely to the financial cost associated with the man-hours required to complete the information collection, or whether it includes other financial aspects related to maintaining compliance or potential penalties for non-compliance. Further clarification could enhance understanding and allow stakeholders to better assess the economic impact of this information collection requirement.
Burden Per Response
The estimated average burden per response is noted to be 5,174.5 hours. This substantial time requirement raises questions about the efficiency and practicality of the information collection process. If respondents must dedicate such an extensive amount of time to fulfilling these requirements, it may suggest inefficiencies or outdated methods that could benefit from streamlining or modernization.
Relation to Identified Issues
The financial burden expressed in terms of hours and monetary cost reflects potential inefficiencies within the information collection process that could hinder the entities required to comply. With 1,695 respondents listed, and each subjected to such a lengthy process, the aggregate cost in terms of labor and resources becomes significant, which is encompassed in the overall annual burden.
Additionally, the lack of transparency in how the estimated total burden is calculated leaves room for skepticism, as stakeholders may seek to understand why these processes are so time-consuming and whether the financial costs could be mitigated with improved procedures.
In conclusion, while the document provides basic financial data regarding the economic impact of the FAA's information collection, the explanations related to these figures are insufficiently detailed. Addressing these gaps could ensure clearer communication of financial requirements and possibly highlight areas for efficiency improvements.
Issues
• The estimated average burden per response is very high at 5,174.5 hours, which may indicate inefficiencies in the information collection process.
• The estimated total annual burden of $155,016.73 lacks clarity on how this figure is derived and what it encompasses, potentially masking inefficient spending.
• The document mentions that one comment was received but dismisses it as political without further details, which might indicate a lack of transparency in addressing public feedback.
• The phrase 'varies per requirement' under Frequency is vague and does not provide specific information on how often reporting is required, potentially causing confusion for respondents.
• The document uses technical terms such as 'OMB Control Number: 2120-0593' without explanation, which could be unclear to those unfamiliar with the context.
• The summary and background sections contain repetitive information about the use and compliance of information by the FAA, which could be streamlined for clarity.