2120-0659 2013

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

2120-0659

“Noise Certification Standards for Subsonic Jet Airplanes and Subsonic Transport Category Large Airplanes”

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.

Sections A36.5.2 and A36.5.2.5 of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noise certification standards for subsonic jet airplanes and subsonic transport category large airplanes (14 CFR part 36) contain information collection requirements. The information collected is needed for the applicant’s noise certification compliance report in order to demonstrate compliance with part 36 which is implemented under the Aircraft Noise Abatement Act of 1968. This is authorized by 49 USC 44715.

This collection of information supports the Department of Transportation’s strategic goals for mobility and economic growth and trade.

2. Indicate how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information is to be used. For revisions, extensions, and reinstatements of a currently approved collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

Section A36.5.2 requires applicants to include test results in their noise certification compliance report.

Normally, applicants certify an airplane once. The FAA estimates that there will be about 14 noise certification projects involving flight test undertaken each year. The applicant’s collected information is incorporated into a noise compliance report that is provided to and approved by the FAA. The noise compliance report is used by the FAA in making a finding that the airplane is in compliance with the regulations.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

The small number of respondents does not warrant improved information technology. However, we would accept an electronic version if the applicant decides to submit one.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purpose(s) described in 2 above.

There is no known source of this information, since it is a submission of proprietary information collected by an applicant in order to demonstrate compliance with part 36. It is not believed that similar information is already available.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-1), describe the methods used to minimize burden.

The reporting requirements do not involve small businesses.

6. Describe the consequences to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

These compliance reports are required only once when an applicant wants to certify an aircraft. Without this data collection, the FAA would be unable to make a noise certification compliance finding.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2)(i)-(viii).

There are no special circumstances.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency’s notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB.

On July 11, 2000, the FAA published Notice No. 00-08, Noise Certification Standards for Subsonic Jet Airplanes and Subsonic Transport Category Large Airplanes (65 FR 42796). Notice No. 00-08 contained the Section A36.5.2 and A36.5.2.5 information collection requirements. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)), the FAA submitted a copy of the proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review.

The agency did not receive any comments concerning this collection of information. The collection of information was approved and assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0659. The final rule adopting the changes proposed in Notice No. 00-08 was published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2002 (67 FR 45194).

A 60-Day notice for public comments was published in the Federal Register on May 20, 2013, vol. 78, no. 97, pg. 29426. No comments were received.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than re enumeration of contractors or grantees.

There are no circumstances that involve payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

If proprietary information is submitted, it will be protected in accordance with appropriate laws.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information and the cost to the respondents for that collection.

There will be a total of 10 respondents for domestic projects who will report annually.

The annual burden for § A36.5.2 is estimated to range from 80 to 160 hours per noise certification project. The cost would range from $100 to $125 an hour ($8,000 to $20,000 per noise certification project).

The annual burden for § A36.5.2.5 is estimated to range from 5 to 25 hours per certification project. The cost would range from $100 to $125 an hour ($500 to $3,125 per certification project).

The total annual burden is 1,350 hours which is the average hours needed for the A36.5.2 (120 x 10) and A36.5.2.5 (15 x 10) reporting requirements.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers.

There is no additional start-up cost not already included in question 12.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government and to the respondents. Also provide a description of the method used to estimate costs, which should include qualification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing and support staff), and any other expenses that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

Government costs are estimated as $36,000 per year. The cost is based on 10 requests per year and 80 hours per response at $45.00 per hour.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-1.

There have been no changes to the hourly burden since the previous submission. Wage figures have been updated to reflect approximate current wage rates.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

The results will not be published and there is no statistical analysis. The collection of information does not employ statistical methods.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

No approval is sought.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions,” of OMB Form 83-1.

There are no exceptions identified in Item 19 of OMB Form 83-1.

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