DOT is requesting emergency processing
for this new collection of information as specified in the PRA and
its implementing regulations. DOT cannot reasonably comply with
normal clearance procedures because the use of normal clearance
procedures is reasonably likely to result in further distraction to
Air Traffic Controllers and further non-compliant operations. Due
to the pressing safety consideration of reducing safety reports due
to noncompliant UAS operations, the FAA cannot wait the normal 90
days of public comment.
DOT is requesting
emergency processing for this new collection of information as
specified in the PRA and its implementing regulations. DOT cannot
reasonably comply with normal clearance procedures because the use
of normal clearance procedures is reasonably likely to result in
further distraction to Air Traffic Controllers and further
non-compliant operations. Due to the pressing safety consideration
of reducing safety reports due to noncompliant UAS operations, the
FAA cannot wait the normal 90 days of public comment. Currently,
airspace authorization requests may be in queue sixty to ninety
days before receiving a response. The time necessary to process
these requests has resulted in an increase in safety reports due to
noncompliant operations. Today there are an average of 250 safety
reports a month, or approximately 1,500 over a six-month period,
associated with a potential risk of an incident between manned
aircraft and a UAS. In addition, because of the lengthy queue for
processing through the authorization Web site, Air Traffic
Controllers routinely receive calls from UAS operators seeking
approval to operate. These calls create distractions for Air
Traffic Control management and in some cases can impact the
controllers managing manned traffic creating a potential safety
hazard. To mitigate these potential hazards, the FAA is seeking to
implement the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification
Capability (LAANC) system. Using the LAANC system, the FAA will be
able to grant near-real time authorizations for the vast majority
of operations. Implementation of the LAANC system is vital to the
safety of the National Airspace System because it would (1)
encourage compliance with 14 CFR 107.41 by speeding up the time to
process authorization requests (2) reduce distraction of
controllers working in the Tower, and (3) increase public access
and capacity of the system to grant authorizations. LAANC is
expected to dramatically reduce the incidence of noncompliant
operations. The FAA estimates a minimum of 30% reduction in
noncompliant operations would result in 450 fewer safety reports
over the next six months.
US Code:
49
USC 44701 Name of Law: General Requirements
PL:
Pub.L. 112 - 95 333 Name of Law: FAA Modernization & Reform
Act of 2012
The program change is changing
due to agency discretion in the way Part 107 authorization requests
are processed. A complete description of the change can be found in
the in the response to Question 1. The FAA collects this
information in accordance with the Operation and Certification of
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Final Rule, 81 FR 42064 (June 28,
2016) from operators wishing to conduct small unmanned aircraft
operations in Class B, C, D, and the lateral surfaces of Class E
airspace and/or request a waiver of a regulation listed in 14 CFR §
107.205. The FAA uses the information it collects to approve or
disapprove requests for airspace authorizations. The information
will be collected via LAANC is substantively similar to information
collected for authorization processing via the FAA web portal/Drone
Zone. Since the promulgation of Part 107, the FAA has received an
extremely high volume of airspace authorization requests for UAS
operations. Requests have steadily increased over time and the
volume of these authorization requests has dramatically increased
the time between submission and approval of the same. Currently,
airspace authorization requests may be in queue sixty to ninety
days before receiving a response. Using the LAANC system, the FAA
will be able to grant near-real time authorizations for the vast
majority of operations.
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:
(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;
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.