Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a New Approval of Information Collection: Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Integration at Airports and Necessary Planning, Design, and Physical Infrastructure Needs, 7435-7436 [2024-02054]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 23 / Friday, February 2, 2024 / Notices
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• Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
We are soliciting public comments to
permit the Department to:
• Evaluate whether the proposed
information collection is necessary for
the proper functions of the Department.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our
estimate of the time and cost burden for
this proposed collection, including the
validity of the methodology and
assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected.
• Minimize the reporting burden on
those who are to respond, including the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
Please note that comments submitted
in response to this Notice are public
record. Before including any detailed
personal information, you should be
aware that your comments as submitted,
including your personal information,
will be available for public review.
Abstract of Proposed Collection
The information collection activity
will garner qualitative customer
feedback in an efficient, timely manner,
in accordance with the Administration’s
commitment to improving service
delivery. This qualitative feedback will
provide insights into customer
perceptions, experiences and
expectations, provide an early warning
of issues with service, or focus attention
on areas where communication, training
or changes in operations might improve
delivery of products or services. These
collections will allow for ongoing,
collaborative and actionable
communications between the Agency
and its customers. It will also allow
feedback to contribute directly to the
improvement of program management.
Feedback collected under this generic
clearance will provide useful
information, but it will not yield data
that can be used for quantitative
information collections that are
designed to yield reliably actionable
results, such as monitoring trends over
time or documenting program
performance. Such data uses require
more rigorous designs that address: the
target population to which
generalizations will be made, the
sampling frame, the sample design
(including stratification and clustering),
the precision requirements or power
calculations that justify the proposed
sample size, the expected response rate,
methods for assessing potential nonresponse bias, the protocols for data
collection, and any testing procedures
that were or will be undertaken prior
fielding the study. Depending on the
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17:08 Feb 01, 2024
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degree of influence the results are likely
to have, such collections may still be
eligible for submission for other generic
mechanisms that are designed to yield
quantitative results.
Methodology
Respondents will fill out a brief
customer survey after completing their
interaction with a Department Program
Office or Embassy. Surveys are designed
to gather feedback on the customer’s
experiences.
Zachary A. Parker,
Director, Office of Directives Management,
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2024–02132 Filed 2–1–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–24–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA–2024–0189]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Requests for Comments;
Clearance of a New Approval of
Information Collection: Unmanned
Aircraft System (UAS) Integration at
Airports and Necessary Planning,
Design, and Physical Infrastructure
Needs
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
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 for a new information
collection. The collection involves
conducting research in the form of
interviews with aviation stakeholders
(e.g., airport/droneport operators,
private entities, original equipment
manufacturers, unmanned aircraft
system (UAS) industry vendors,
academia, representatives of the
military, aviation stakeholders, etc.) to
catalog current and planned droneport
planning, design, and infrastructure
needs, as well as find out which airports
are integrating UAS into the airport
environment. During each interview, the
FAA will ask the stakeholders a specific
set of questions, and if necessary, factspecific follow-up questions will be
posed to clarify and enhance the
respondent’s answers to the specified
set of questions. The information to be
collected is necessary because it will
allow the FAA to understand how
aviation stakeholders are integrating
SUMMARY:
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Frm 00083
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
7435
UAS into existing airport design
standards/infrastructure and standalone
facilities also referred to as droneports.
Currently, no formal FAA definition of
droneport currently exists. Based on the
results of this research effort, the FAA
may develop a formal definition for a
droneport. For the purposes of this
research effort, a modified version of the
14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1
definition of ‘airport’ is used to define
droneport: ‘an area of land or water that
is used or intended to be used for the
landing and takeoff of UAS aircraft, and
includes its buildings and facilities, if
any.’ The information collected will also
be used to help the FAA to shape future
droneport research efforts and possible
standards and guidance material.
DATES: Written comments should be
submitted by April 2, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Please send written
comments:
By Electronic Docket:
www.regulations.gov (Enter docket
number into search field).
By Mail: Michael DiPilato, Airport
Research Specialist, FAA Airport
Technology Research and Development
Branch (ANG–E26), FAA William J.
Hughes Technical Center, Bldg. 301
(FAA Hangar), Atlantic City, NJ 08405.
By Fax: 609–485–4845.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael DiPilato by email at:
michael.dipilato@faa.gov; phone: 609–
485–7249.
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. The agency
will summarize and/or include your
comments in the request for OMB’s
clearance of this information collection.
OMB Control Number: 2120–XXXX.
Title: Unmanned Aircraft System
(UAS) Integration at Airports and
Necessary Planning, Design, and
Physical Infrastructure Needs.
Form Numbers: None.
Type of Review: New information
collection.
Background: The aviation industry is
experiencing expedited growth in new
and innovative aircraft design and
operation. One of these concepts has
been unmanned aircraft systems (UAS),
commonly referred to as ‘drones’. The
proliferation of interest in and use of
E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM
02FEN1
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7436
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 23 / Friday, February 2, 2024 / Notices
UAS has led to significant policy and
regulatory adaptations to safely integrate
these platforms into the airport
environment. The FAA defines a UAS
as ‘an unmanned aircraft and the
equipment necessary for the safe and
efficient operation of that aircraft. An
unmanned aircraft is a component of a
UAS. It is defined by statute as an
aircraft that is operated without the
possibility of direct human intervention
from within or on the aircraft (Pub. L.
112–95, Section 331(8)).’ As the
technology and its use continues to
mature, the FAA is committed to
conducting research and providing
policy and guidance to ensure the safe
operation of UAS, whether autonomous
or remotely piloted, in and around the
airport environment. As more UAS
Concept of Operations (CONOPS)
propose operations involving the airport
environment and droneports, there is a
need to consider if unique requirements
or recommendations for the planning,
design, and physical infrastructure
needs are necessary.
On May 9, 2023, the FAA’s Office of
Airports—Airport Emerging Entrants
Division (AAS–200) officially sent the
FAA’s Airport Technology Research and
Development Branch (ATR) a ‘Request
for Research’ to conduct research on
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
Integration at Airports and Necessary
Planning, Design, and Physical
Infrastructure Needs. This ‘Request for
Research’ was reviewed and approved
by the Research, Engineering, and
Development Advisory Committee
(REDAC) Subcommittee on Airports.
Established in 1989, the FAA’s REDAC
provides advice and recommendations
to the FAA Administrator on the needs,
objectives, plans, approaches, content,
and accomplishments of the aviation
research portfolio. The REDAC also
assists in ensuring FAA present and
future aviation research activities are
coordinated with similar research being
conducted outside the FAA. The
REDAC Subcommittee on Airports
includes members from the following
affiliations: academia, aircraft
manufacturers, an airline pilot union,
airport authorities, aviation industry
organizations, and environmental
advocates.
As part of the Request for Research
(i.e., research effort), discussed above,
the FAA will conduct interviews with
stakeholders, in the form of in-person
and virtual meetings, with
representatives from the following
organizations: airports, droneports,
private entities, original equipment
manufacturers, UAS industry vendors,
the military, international aviation
community, and academia. During each
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:08 Feb 01, 2024
Jkt 262001
interview, the FAA will ask the
stakeholders a specific set of questions,
and if necessary, fact-specific follow-up
questions will be posed to clarify and
enhance the respondent’s answers to the
specified set of questions.
The purpose of these interviews will
be to catalog and inventory current and
prospective droneports and gather key
insights from these operators. In
addition, the research team will
document stakeholder’s experiences/
lessons learned with integrating or
operating UAS at airports and
independent droneport operations.
The results from this research effort
will be summarized in a final report and
will be used to shape the FAA’s
operational evaluations and possible
development of standards and guidance
documents pertaining to planning,
design, and physical infrastructure
needs, as well as safety standards, for
fixed-wing and rotary operations. This
effort will primarily focus on UAS
aircraft weighing 55 pounds or more
and include operational considerations
for cargo transport. Vehicles with
weights lower than 55 pounds will be
considered where applicable. Both fixed
wing and rotary operational will be
considered to create a baseline
understanding before establishing
infrastructure design requirements and
safety standards for existing and
standalone facilities referred to as a
droneport.
Respondents: Approximately 100
airport operators, droneport operators,
original equipment manufacturers,
private entities, UA industry vendors,
representatives of the military, the
international aviation community, and
academia.
Frequency: Information will be
collected one to two times annually.
Estimated Average Burden per
Response: 2.5–4.5 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 250–
400 hours.
Issued in Atlantic City, NJ, on January 29,
2024.
Michael DiPilato,
Airport Research Specialist, FAA Aviation
Research Division, Airport Technology
Research and Development Branch (ANG–
E26).
[FR Doc. 2024–02054 Filed 2–1–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Notice of Aviation Rulemaking
Advisory Committee (ARAC) meeting.
ACTION:
This notice announces a
meeting of the ARAC.
DATES: The FAA will hold the meeting
on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 1
p.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time.
The FAA must receive requests to
attend the meeting by Monday, March
11, 2024.
The FAA must receive requests for
accommodations to a disability by
Monday, March 11, 2024.
The FAA must receive any written
materials to during the meeting by
Monday, March 11, 2024.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Federal Aviation Administration,
800 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20591, and virtually on
Zoom. However, if the FAA is unable to
hold the meeting in person due to
circumstances outside of its control, the
FAA will hold a virtual meeting and
notify registrants with the meeting
details and post any updates on the
FAA Committee website. Members of
the public who wish to observe the
meeting must RSVP by emailing 9-awaarac@faa.gov. General committee
information, including copies of the
meeting minutes, will be available on
the FAA Committee website at https://
www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/
rulemaking/committees/documents/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Aliah Duckett, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591,
telephone (202) 267–7489; email 9-awaarac@faa.gov. Any committee-related
request should be sent to the person
listed in this section.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
I. Background
The ARAC was created under the
Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), in accordance with title 5 of the
United States Code (5 U.S.C. 1001) to
provide advice and recommendations to
the FAA concerning rulemaking
activities, such as aircraft operations,
airman and air agency certification,
airworthiness standards and
certification, airports, maintenance,
noise, and training.
II. Agenda
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory
Committee; Meeting
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00084
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
At the meeting, the agenda will cover
the following topics:
• Status Updates
Æ Active Working Groups
Æ Transport Airplane and Engine
(TAE) Subcommittee
• Recommendation Reports
• Any Other Business
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7435-7436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02054]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0189]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments;
Clearance of a New Approval of Information Collection: Unmanned
Aircraft System (UAS) Integration at Airports and Necessary Planning,
Design, and Physical Infrastructure Needs
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 for a new information collection.
The collection involves conducting research in the form of interviews
with aviation stakeholders (e.g., airport/droneport operators, private
entities, original equipment manufacturers, unmanned aircraft system
(UAS) industry vendors, academia, representatives of the military,
aviation stakeholders, etc.) to catalog current and planned droneport
planning, design, and infrastructure needs, as well as find out which
airports are integrating UAS into the airport environment. During each
interview, the FAA will ask the stakeholders a specific set of
questions, and if necessary, fact-specific follow-up questions will be
posed to clarify and enhance the respondent's answers to the specified
set of questions. The information to be collected is necessary because
it will allow the FAA to understand how aviation stakeholders are
integrating UAS into existing airport design standards/infrastructure
and standalone facilities also referred to as droneports. Currently, no
formal FAA definition of droneport currently exists. Based on the
results of this research effort, the FAA may develop a formal
definition for a droneport. For the purposes of this research effort, a
modified version of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1
definition of `airport' is used to define droneport: `an area of land
or water that is used or intended to be used for the landing and
takeoff of UAS aircraft, and includes its buildings and facilities, if
any.' The information collected will also be used to help the FAA to
shape future droneport research efforts and possible standards and
guidance material.
DATES: Written comments should be submitted by April 2, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Please send written comments:
By Electronic Docket: www.regulations.gov (Enter docket number into
search field).
By Mail: Michael DiPilato, Airport Research Specialist, FAA Airport
Technology Research and Development Branch (ANG-E26), FAA William J.
Hughes Technical Center, Bldg. 301 (FAA Hangar), Atlantic City, NJ
08405.
By Fax: 609-485-4845.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael DiPilato by email at:
[email protected]; phone: 609-485-7249.
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. The agency will summarize and/or include
your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information
collection.
OMB Control Number: 2120-XXXX.
Title: Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Integration at Airports and
Necessary Planning, Design, and Physical Infrastructure Needs.
Form Numbers: None.
Type of Review: New information collection.
Background: The aviation industry is experiencing expedited growth
in new and innovative aircraft design and operation. One of these
concepts has been unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to
as `drones'. The proliferation of interest in and use of
[[Page 7436]]
UAS has led to significant policy and regulatory adaptations to safely
integrate these platforms into the airport environment. The FAA defines
a UAS as `an unmanned aircraft and the equipment necessary for the safe
and efficient operation of that aircraft. An unmanned aircraft is a
component of a UAS. It is defined by statute as an aircraft that is
operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from
within or on the aircraft (Pub. L. 112-95, Section 331(8)).' As the
technology and its use continues to mature, the FAA is committed to
conducting research and providing policy and guidance to ensure the
safe operation of UAS, whether autonomous or remotely piloted, in and
around the airport environment. As more UAS Concept of Operations
(CONOPS) propose operations involving the airport environment and
droneports, there is a need to consider if unique requirements or
recommendations for the planning, design, and physical infrastructure
needs are necessary.
On May 9, 2023, the FAA's Office of Airports--Airport Emerging
Entrants Division (AAS-200) officially sent the FAA's Airport
Technology Research and Development Branch (ATR) a `Request for
Research' to conduct research on Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
Integration at Airports and Necessary Planning, Design, and Physical
Infrastructure Needs. This `Request for Research' was reviewed and
approved by the Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory
Committee (REDAC) Subcommittee on Airports. Established in 1989, the
FAA's REDAC provides advice and recommendations to the FAA
Administrator on the needs, objectives, plans, approaches, content, and
accomplishments of the aviation research portfolio. The REDAC also
assists in ensuring FAA present and future aviation research activities
are coordinated with similar research being conducted outside the FAA.
The REDAC Subcommittee on Airports includes members from the following
affiliations: academia, aircraft manufacturers, an airline pilot union,
airport authorities, aviation industry organizations, and environmental
advocates.
As part of the Request for Research (i.e., research effort),
discussed above, the FAA will conduct interviews with stakeholders, in
the form of in-person and virtual meetings, with representatives from
the following organizations: airports, droneports, private entities,
original equipment manufacturers, UAS industry vendors, the military,
international aviation community, and academia. During each interview,
the FAA will ask the stakeholders a specific set of questions, and if
necessary, fact-specific follow-up questions will be posed to clarify
and enhance the respondent's answers to the specified set of questions.
The purpose of these interviews will be to catalog and inventory
current and prospective droneports and gather key insights from these
operators. In addition, the research team will document stakeholder's
experiences/lessons learned with integrating or operating UAS at
airports and independent droneport operations.
The results from this research effort will be summarized in a final
report and will be used to shape the FAA's operational evaluations and
possible development of standards and guidance documents pertaining to
planning, design, and physical infrastructure needs, as well as safety
standards, for fixed-wing and rotary operations. This effort will
primarily focus on UAS aircraft weighing 55 pounds or more and include
operational considerations for cargo transport. Vehicles with weights
lower than 55 pounds will be considered where applicable. Both fixed
wing and rotary operational will be considered to create a baseline
understanding before establishing infrastructure design requirements
and safety standards for existing and standalone facilities referred to
as a droneport.
Respondents: Approximately 100 airport operators, droneport
operators, original equipment manufacturers, private entities, UA
industry vendors, representatives of the military, the international
aviation community, and academia.
Frequency: Information will be collected one to two times annually.
Estimated Average Burden per Response: 2.5-4.5 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 250-400 hours.
Issued in Atlantic City, NJ, on January 29, 2024.
Michael DiPilato,
Airport Research Specialist, FAA Aviation Research Division, Airport
Technology Research and Development Branch (ANG-E26).
[FR Doc. 2024-02054 Filed 2-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
