ATC Authorization in Controlled Airspace under Part 107

Forms and Documents

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Form 2 LAANC Authorizations	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Emergency justification LAANC PRA Final w sig.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2017-10-12	Available
PRA - FAA - 2120-0768 - Emergency Clearance (LAANC) - 30 day.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2017-10-12	Available
DZ - justification_092717.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2017-09-27	Available
DZ Ops Waiver Screens_092717.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2017-09-27	Repair queued
DZ Airspace Waiver Screens_092717.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2017-09-27	Available
DZ Airspace Auth Screens_092717.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2017-09-27	Available
DZ PA Statementv2_092717.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2017-09-27	Available
PRA - FAA - 2120-0768 - Emergency Clearance (LAANC) - Update - 101917.pdf	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2017-10-19	Available
Airspace Authorization Emergency OMB Clearance Memo.pdf	Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change	Uploaded 2017-02-27	Available

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
228623	LAANC Authorizations	Form and Instruction	New
222432	ATC Authorization Request	Other-Web Portal	Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2120-0768	ICR Reference No: 201710-2120-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201709-2120-017
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FAA	Agency Tracking No: LAANC Emergency
Title: ATC Authorization in Controlled Airspace under Part 107
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 10/15/2017
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 10/19/2017
	Date Received in OIRA: 10/12/2017
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	04/30/2018	6 Months From Approved	06/30/2018
Responses	19,012	0	19,000
Time Burden (Hours)	9,501	0	9,500
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: 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.

Emergency Justfication: 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.

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Authorizing Statute(s): 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
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
ATC Authorization Request
LAANC Authorizations	2	LAANC Form & Insturction

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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	19,012	19,000	0	12	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	9,501	9,500	0	1	0	0
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: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: 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.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $1,300,000

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.     Yes

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.     Yes

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

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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: 10/12/2017

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