**641.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE:** To authorize and establish Bonneville Power
Administration (BPA) policies, responsibilities, and procedures in
acquiring, managing, using, scheduling, and disposing of aircraft which
are owned, leased, rented, or chartered by BPA. Consistent with
Delegation Order No. 0204-161, signed by the Secretary of Energy on
October 7, 1996, and a prior exemption dated July 22, 1994, this
issuance also exempts BPA from the provisions of any related Department
of Energy issuance, including DOE Order 400.2, Aviation.

**641.2 DEFINITIONS**

**A. Aircraft** means a device that is used or intended to be used for
flight in the air.

**B. Airplane** means an engine-driven fixed-wing aircraft heavier than
air, that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air
against its wings.

**C. Allowable Transportation Uses:** Transport on BPA aircraft of
Government-authorized cargo and of passengers authorized either by
category in this chapter or in writing by the Senior Management Official
(SMO) for Aircraft Services or the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

**D. BPA Aircraft:** Any aircraft owned by BPA, under BPA\'s operational
control, or exclusively engaged for use by BPA.

**E. BPA System Emergency:** Any time-critical situation in which the
life or physical safety (including illness and/or injury) of BPA
employees acting within the scope of their employment is in jeopardy,
the Federal power system must be restored to service, the integrity of
the interconnected power system is threatened, major loss of BPA
property or revenues hangs in the balance, or in which BPA stands to
accrue significant liabilities.

**F. Chartered Aircraft:** Aircraft chartered for point-to-point service
to satisfy a one-time need.

**G. Civil Aircraft:** Any aircraft other than a public aircraft.

**H. Crew member:** A person assigned to perform duty in an aircraft
during flight time.

> 1\. Flight crew member is a person holding a valid Federal Aviation
> Administration (FAA) Airman\'s Certificate and medical certificate as
> a prerequisite to performance of the duties of the position during
> flight; e.g., a pilot, copilot, flight engineer, flight navigator.
>
> 2\. Air crew member is an additional crew member required for
> accomplishment of the mission, such as line patrol observer,
> reconnaissance engineer, photographer, line crew foreman, airborne
> equipment operator, etc. These positions usually do not require any
> special airmen certificates or medical certificates.

**641.2 DEFINITIONS (continued)**

**I. Fixed Costs:** Those costs of operating aircraft that result from
owning and supporting the aircraft and that do not vary according to
aircraft usage.

**J. Helicopter** means a rotorcraft that, for its horizontal motion,
depends principally on its engine-driven rotors.

**K. Leased or Contract Aircraft:** Non-BPA owned aircraft obtained
under a specific formal negotiated contract or lease agreement for use
under BPA\'s operational control for a specified extended term (30 days
or more).

**L. Mission Requirements:** Activities which must be accomplished in
order to carry out BPA\'s statutory responsibilities in maintaining a
safe and reliable transmission power system.

**M. Passenger:** Any person aboard an aircraft who does not perform the
function of a flight crew or air crew member.

> 1\. BPA Passenger: A passenger on a BPA aircraft who is a BPA employee
> duly authorized to travel to conduct the official business of BPA.
> This includes experts or consultants engaged under Federal personnel
> regulations and paid on a daily when-actually-employed basis, and BPA
> contractor personnel.
>
> 2 Non-BPA Passenger: Any passenger on a BPA aircraft other than a BPA
> passenger.

**N. Pilot-In-Command** (PIC) means the pilot responsible for the
operation and safety of an aircraft during an entire mission.

**O. Public Aircraft** means aircraft used only in the service of a
Government or a political subdivision. It does not include any
Government-owned aircraft engaged in carrying persons or property for
commercial purposes.

**P. Rental Aircraft:** Aircraft rented on a short-term basis under
small purchasing authority, with or without operator-furnished pilot.

Q.  **Senior Management Official (SMO) for Aircraft Services:** The
    Official at the level of Senior Vice President or higher to whom the
    Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has assigned responsibility for
    complying with the policies set forth in OMB Circular A-126,
    paragraph 7d, and who has BPA-wide authority and resources to
    implement them.

    2.  **DEFINITIONS (continued)**

**R. Variable Costs:** Those costs of operating aircraft which vary
depending on how much the aircraft are used. These costs will be
computed by the BPA Business Services Group for each category and class
of aircraft in accordance with OMB Circular A-126.

**641.3 RESPONSIBILITIES**

**A. Senior Vice President, Transmission Business Line**

> 1\. Is BPA\'s SMO for Aircraft Services and has executive
> responsibility for BPA utilization and maintenance of aircraft.
>
> 2\. Cooperates with elements within the General Services
> Administration (GSA) in the development of aircraft management
> policies and standards and in the collection of aircraft information.
>
> 3\. Establishes BPA regulations, criteria, guidelines, and procedures
> for conducting aircraft operations and for authorizing allowable
> transportation uses.
>
> 4\. Authorizes BPA use of aircraft (other than common carrier) not
> specifically covered in published guidelines.
>
> 5\. Conducts, through delegation to the Aircraft Services Manager,
> BPA\'s aircraft operations.

**B. Vice President, Policy Management and Finance**

> 1\. Maintains cost accounts which fully support the financial analysis
> necessary to assure that BPA\'s use of aircraft is businesslike and
> cost-effective and which
>
> a\. Are sufficient to recover all reimbursable costs incurred by BPA
> aircraft operations
>
> b\. Meet the requirements established by OMB Circulars A-76 and A-126
>
> c\. Provide all the standard aircraft cost elements required by GSA's
> Federal Aircraft Management Information System (FAMIS).
>
> 2\. Provides internal management consulting services, including
> planning and coordinating the OMB A-76 program in support of BPA\'s
> SMO.
>
> 3\. Provides procurement support for aircraft, equipment, supplies,
> and personal service contracts.

**D. Manager, Transmission Line Maintenance** determines the frequency
of helicopter patrols of transmission lines and the boundaries of
transmission line helicopter patrol areas.

**E. Aircraft Services Manager**

1.  Manages BPA\'s aviation program including aviation safety.

> 2\. Is BPA\'s principal technical expert on aviation.
>
> 3\. Schedules and dispatches BPA-owned and/or operated aircraft.
>
> 4\. Purchases, leases, and rents aircraft for BPA use in accordance
> with applicable procurement regulations and procedures.
>
> 5\. Schedules and engages all charter flights for BPA.
>
> 6\. Supervises the BPA Aircraft Services Staff.

**F. Regional Field Services Managers** may charter aircraft for BPA use
during system emergencies where circumstances will not permit timely
response by Aircraft Services. Aircraft charters will only be contracted
from the approved outside aircraft charter list provided by the Aircraft
Services Manager. Any other charter company must be approved by the
Aircraft Services Manager or his designated representative prior to use
by any BPA personnel. The authority to charter approved aircraft may be
delegated to members of Regional Field Services staff. All use of
outside aircraft services must be reported to the Aircraft Services
Manager as soon as possible after each use. All aircraft usage must be
reported on the Federal Aviation Management Information System (FAMIS)
report to GSA at the close of each fiscal year.

**G. BPA Aviation Safety Manager**

> 1\. Advises on the management of BPA\'s safety program.
>
> 2\. Submits the notifications required in event of an accident in
> accordance with *BPA Manual* Chapter 181*.*
>
> 3\. Is the Aviation Safety Coordinator and is be responsible for all
> aviation safety related matters in BPA in accordance with the *BPA
> Aircraft Operations Manual.*

**H. Travelers and their supervisors** make all reasonable and
practicable effort to minimize costs of official travel by utilizing
space available on authorized BPA flights.

**641.4 GENERAL POLICY:** Consistent with prudent utility practice, BPA
policy is to employ in the conduct of its official business that
combination of owned, leased, rented, chartered, or common carrier
aircraft which provides best overall, long-term value to the regional
ratepayers in accordance with the following principles:

**641.4 GENERAL POLICY (continued)**

**A. Safety of passengers, crew, and the protection of other persons and
property** are paramount at all times over all other BPA flight
objectives.

**B. BPA aircraft** shall be used for official business only.

**C. BPA\'s use of aircraft** shall be in strict compliance with all
applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

**D. Exemptions of public aircraft notwithstanding**, BPA aircraft shall
be certified, maintained, and operated in accordance with FAA and
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regulations.

**E. BPA shall own and/or operate the minimum fleet of aircraft** which
will satisfy its program requirements.

**F. BPA aircraft shall be used only** when the variable expense of such
use is more economical than commercial airline or charter aircraft
services, or when commercial service is not available to effectively
meet BPA\'s transportation need.

**G. Spouses and other dependents and relatives of BPA employees** shall
not fly on BPA aircraft unless they themselves are Federal employees who
are traveling on official business under circumstances in which the use
of BPA aircraft is advantageous to the Government.

**641.5 STANDARDS OF OPERATION POLICIES**

**A. Each BPA aircraft** shall be registered with the FAA and shall have
a current FAA Standard Airworthiness Certificate.

**B. BPA aircraft shall not** be operated as public aircraft and will be
operated and maintained in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations
(FAR\'s) as specified in the *BPA Aircraft Operations Manual.*

**C. The minimum FAA certification requirements for BPA airplane
pilots** are a commercial pilot certificate with airplane multi-engine
land and instrument rating, and a valid second-class medical
certificate.

**D. The minimum FAA certification requirements for BPA helicopter
pilots** are a commercial pilot certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter
rating and a valid second-class medical certificate.

**E. No BPA employees will pilot BPA aircraft** except for members of
the BPA Aircraft Services Staff who occupy positions classified in the
GS-2181 series in the Federal position classification system.

**641.5 STANDARDS OF OPERATION POLICIES** **(continued)**

**F. The PIC of a BPA aircraft is directly responsible** for, and is the
final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft. The PIC shall
have the final authority to reroute, cancel, or abort any flight because
of unsafe, mechanical, weather, or other conditions which might
jeopardize the flight.

**G. All other considerations** being equal, the most cost-effective
suitable aircraft available will be scheduled and dispatched for each
flight.

**H. BPA\'s aircraft operations shall be conducted** in conformance with
the *BPA Aircraft Operations Manual,* which is published under the
authority and with the approval of the SMO for Aircraft Services and
which supplements and implements this chapter.

**641.6 PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS**

**A. Smoking is prohibited on BPA aircraft** and within 50 feet of the
aircraft.

**B. Use or transportation of alcoholic beverages or of illegal drugs is
prohibited** on BPA aircraft. Persons who appear to be intoxicated or to
be under the influence of drugs (except for properly supervised medical
patients) shall not be transported on BPA aircraft.

# C. Transportation of firearms on BPA aircraft is prohibited, unless the person who has possession of the firearm is duly authorized by law to have possession of the firearm and it is being carried in the line of duty.

**D. Sporting gear** for personal fitness while the employee is away
from his/her home duty station may be transported aboard BPA aircraft on
a space-available basis. Approval must be obtained from the PIC prior to
transporting any sporting equipment aboard any BPA aircraft.

**E. Helicopters will not load or unload passengers** at a private
residence and will not land or remain overnight at a pilot\'s residence.

**F. Except for emergencies, use of BPA heliports is exclusive to BPA**
unless prior authorization for use is obtained from Aircraft Services.

**G. Except for emergencies**, all arrangements to transport non-BPA
passengers on BPA aircraft must be made through the BPA Aircraft
Services Manager with the approval of the SMO or the Chief Executive
Officer (CEO).

**H. The use of private aircraft by BPA employees** on official business
is prohibited.

**641.7 MISSION FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS**

**A. Mission flight requirements are activities other than
transportation of passengers** and/or cargo which must be accomplished
in order to carry out BPA\'s statutory responsibilities. For example,
Aircraft Patrol Observers and their equipment, when in the act of
patrolling transmission lines to observe the condition of the lines, are
air crew. The majority of BPA airplane flights moving passengers and
cargo are considered allowable transportation uses per OMB Circular
A-126.

**B. Examples of mission requirements** include, but are not limited to

> 1\. Aerial patrols to observe the condition of transmission lines
>
> 2\. Aerial photography flights
>
> 3\. Training flights for flight crew and air crews
>
> 4\. Operation of airborne remote sensing equipment
>
> 5\. Visual observation of rights-of-way
>
> 6\. Aerial application of herbicides
>
> 7\. Helicopter sling loading of materials

**C. The use of BPA aircraft to satisfy mission requirements** is
authorized and formal justification of individual mission requirements
flights is not required. However, records must be maintained for later
audit and verification of the purpose for each flight. OMB Circular
A-126 periodic reviews, OMB Circular A-76 comparison of in-house versus
private sector performance, and BPA\'s own management policies ensure
that the use of BPA aircraft for mission requirements and allowable
transportation use is cost-effective.

**641.8 ALLOWABLE TRANSPORTATION USES:** BPA aircraft shall be used to
transport agency employees, Government authorized cargo, other official
Government passengers, and others whose travel is authorized by statute,
BPA directive, or in writing by the SMO for Aircraft Services. Each
justification for use of a BPA aircraft to transport passengers and/or
cargo must be documented as to one of the following criteria:

**A. The aircraft was scheduled to perform a bona fide mission or
training activity**, and the minimum mission or training requirements
have not been exceeded, or the incremental variable cost of extending
the mission flight beyond the minimum requirements does not exceed the
cost of commercial airline or charter aircraft service for the entire
passenger/cargo trip.

**641.8 ALLOWABLE TRANSPORTATION USES (continued)**

**B. Failure to use the aircraft to carry passengers and/or cargo**
would result in the failure to meet the mission or training
requirements.

**C. No commercial airline or charter aircraft service was reasonably
available** to fulfill effectively the transportation requirement; or
commercial airline service requires check-in more than 2 hours prior to
the time when a BPA aircraft would depart to meet schedule requirements;
or check-in for return would be more than 2 hours later than the
scheduled return time for the BPA aircraft.

**D. The variable cost of using Government aircraft** is not more than
the cost of using commercial airline or charter aircraft service. The
cost of using commercial airline or charter aircraft service includes
the costs of any additional travel and employees\' lost work time
(computed at gross hourly costs to the Government, including benefits).

**641.9 COST COMPARISON:** In determining if the variable cost of using
the BPA aircraft is less than the cost of common carrier services or
commercial aircraft services alternatives, the BPA\'s variable cost will
be compared to

**A. Common Carrier Cost Comparison**

> 1\. Coach fares, Y class, as published in the current Official Airline
> Guide fare book or as furnished by Business Services, Employee
> Accounts.
>
> 2\. Passengers shall provide Aircraft Services with travel itineraries
> in accordance with the procedures of this chapter and as requested by
> Aircraft Services during the comparison and scheduling process.

2.  The entire flight itinerary will be evaluated and the variable cost
    of the flight will be compared to the common carrier before the
    flight schedule is authorized.

**B. Commercial Aircraft Services Cost Comparison:** Comparisons made
will be between BPA aircraft and the same make and model of a charter
aircraft provided by a commercial aircraft service. The variable rate
will be compared to

> 1\. The GSA-published charter rate for like aircraft (standby time,
> per diem, and Federal excise tax are to be included).
>
> 2\. Charter rates, to include standby, per diem, and Federal excise
> tax, for like-type aircraft from reputable commercial operators in the
> BPA service area which have satisfactory safety records as determined
> by BPA.

9.  **COST COMPARISON (Continued)**

> 3\. The existing BPA requirements contract cost-per-hour rate
> including standby and per diem.
>
> 4\. Rates for aircraft with similar seating capacity and performance
> capabilities as in 1, 2 or 3 above, if data for same make and model
> are not available.

**641.10 PASSENGERS:** The transporting of passengers or air crew on BPA
aircraft shall be only for official purposes. The term \"official
purposes\" means those purposes required to carry out authorized
programs and the statutory responsibilities of the Chief Executive
Officer (CEO). \"Official purposes\" is largely a matter of
administrative discretion and determination must be made on the
particular facts of the flight. It is the responsibility of persons
authorizing flights to examine the circumstances surrounding the flight
to assure that the facts sufficiently justify a conclusion of \"official
purposes\" and the cost-effectiveness of the flight before authorization
is granted. Persons authorized to fly on BPA aircraft include

**A. BPA passengers**

**B. BPA employees on voluntary returns from temporary duty stations**
on a strictly space available basis. All work-related requirements of a
flight must be satisfied before voluntary returns are allowed. No
incremental mileage or costs will be incurred to accommodate voluntary
returns.

**C. Officials and employees of DOE** in connection with BPA programs
and operations.

**D. Employees of other Federal agencies on official business** directly
concerned with BPA programs when use of BPA aircraft is advantageous to
the Government and in accordance with this chapter.

**E. Members of Congress and/or members of their official staffs** on
official business in connection with oversight and legislative concerns
regarding BPA programs. Requires approval of the SMO.

**F. Employees of BPA contractors when performing the contracted work**
and when the terms of the contract provide for BPA to reimburse their
travel costs in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.

**G. Non-BPA passengers** in connection with official business of BPA
when it has been determined that transportation by BPA aircraft is in
the best interest of BPA and the Government; an example may be employees
of the Northwest Power Planning Council (NWPPC) and Washington Public
Power Supply System (WPPSS). Transportation of non-BPA passengers
requires written approval of the SMO or the Chief Executive Officer
(CEO).

**H. Official foreign visitors to BPA** in connection with the official
purposes of their visits.

**641.10 PASSENGERS (continued)**

**I. Invited guests of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)**
(documentation of the invitation will be forwarded to Aircraft
Services). Those persons in paragraph 641.4G will not be categorized as
invited guests.

**J. Other Federal, state or local agencies with approval of the SMO**.
A reimbursement agreement may be made and in effect with the agency
utilizing BPA's aircraft.

**K. Seriously injured or critically ill persons in emergency
conditions** when no other suitable transport is timely available.

**641.11 EMERGENCIES:** BPA recognizes its responsibility to protect and
preserve human life, alleviate suffering, and conserve public resources
when time is critical and other means are effectively inadequate or
unavailable as in accidents or natural disasters. In general, the
response of BPA Aircraft Services to requests for emergency assistance
is to be as follows:

**A. Response to BPA system emergencies is authorized**.

**B. Protection of human life** has priority over protection of property
and prevention of physical damage.

**C. In any medical emergency or search and rescue operation,**
resources specifically designated for such contingencies such as life
flight helicopter service, military search and rescue units, etc., if
available to effectively meet the need, are preferred.

**D. Requests and authorizations for response to emergencies other than
BPA system emergencies** will be made through normal channels, time
permitting.

**E. If time does not permit approval**, the PIC can undertake an
emergency flight at the request of a responsible public officer (e.g.,
county, state, or Federal law enforcement officer) for the purpose of or
attempt to save human life. The pilot shall obtain the name and title of
the person requesting the flight and inform the Aircraft Services
Manager at the completion of the flight.

**641.12 AIRCRAFT SCHEDULING PROCEDURES**

A.  **Helicopter Scheduling Procedures:** Aircraft Services has the
    responsibility to schedule and dispatch all BPA-owned and/or
    operated helicopters. BPA employee requests for helicopter support
    shall be scheduled through the Aircraft Dispatcher or the Aircraft
    Services Manager. These requests will be handled on a first-request,
    first-served basis. If a conflict in scheduling

B.  12. **AIRCRAFT SCHEDULING PROCEDURES (continued)**

occurs, the general priority of use for all helicopters will be:
life-saving flights; response to nuclear incident; response to threats
of sabotage; emergency patrol to restore system integrity;

**A**. **Helicopter Scheduling Procedures(continued)** Special patrol to
look for specific problems, special flights for other system
maintenance; routine patrol of transmission lines flown on a survey, and
design of proposed projects; flights to provide management oversight to
projects where ground transportation is impractical; and passenger
transportation flights where the variable cost per OMB Circular A-126
shows the trip to be cost-effective.

> 1\. In conformance with the priority of use and to meet System
> Operations\' requirements, Aircraft Services will provide, whenever
> possible, a helicopter and pilot for System Operations 5 days per week
> at three locations for line patrol helicopters. The requirements
> established by Transmission Line Maintenance will determine the basic
> workload of helicopter flight time required on a weekly, biweekly,
> monthly, and annual basis.
>
> 2\. The Aircraft Patrol Observers will maintain continuous blocks of
> lines that are due for patrol and maintain the established frequency
> of patrol as established by the PLG's.
>
> 3\. When a request for helicopter support is received by Aircraft
> Services, all aspects of the job to be accomplished will be analyzed.
> Items such as time required to accomplish the job, priority and status
> of current work for the helicopters, pilot and helicopter
> availability, helicopter and pilot locations, special equipment needs,
> weather forecast, helicopter performance capabilities, pilot currency,
> cost-effectiveness, cost comparison (if required), and the
> substitution of an airplane will all be considered before scheduling a
> particular helicopter and pilot to perform the flight.
>
> 4\. Due to the large geographic BPA service area, there are times when
> a need for a short-time helicopter use arises, and the ferry time of
> an additional helicopter to the work site could not meet the time
> frame required for use, or the additional flying time would not be
> cost-effective. If the request and prudent helicopter assignment
> affects the routine patrol schedule, Aircraft Services will coordinate
> the use of a patrol helicopter depending on the workload and location
> of the patrol helicopter.
>
> 5\. Flight requests will include destination, route of flight, purpose
> of flight, date(s) of flight, cargo requirements, special equipment
> needs; and the name, grade, organization, Program Level Six (PL-6)
> code, activity code, and telephone number of the person requesting the
> flight.

6.  The Aircraft Dispatcher will determine if the requested flight is to
    be considered an activity that meets the definition of \"mission
    requirement\" or \"allowable transportation use.\" If the flight is
    for an allowable transportation use, it must meet one of four
    justification criteria in OMB Circular A-126,

> **641.12** **AIRCRAFT SCHEDULING PROCEDURES (continued)**
>
> paragraph 6.e. If a variable cost comparison is required, the
> comparison must be completed and demonstrate a cost savings before the
> flight is authorized.

C.  **Airplane Scheduling Procedures:** Aircraft Services has the
    responsibility to schedule and dispatch all BPA-owned and/or
    operated airplanes. BPA employee requests for airplane support shall
    be scheduled through the Aircraft Dispatcher or the Aircraft
    Services Manager. These requests will be handled on a first-request,
    first-served basis. If a conflict in scheduling occurs, the order of
    priority will be life-saving effort, respond to nuclear incident,
    respond to threats of sabotage to the system, restore system
    integrity, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Deputy CEO, Chief
    Operating Officer (COO), Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents,
    mission requirements, allowable transportation uses, and other
    Federal agencies.

> 1\. Flight requests will be combined to achieve the maximum
> utilization of the airplane. To assist in obtaining maximum
> utilization of the aircraft, employees planning meetings should first
> check with Aircraft Services or the "BPA Airplane" on Schedule Plus on
> the availability of an aircraft
>
> 2\. Flight requests will include destination; required arrival time at
> destination; name, grade, organization, Program Level Six (PL6) and
> Activity Code; itinerary of each passenger; estimated departure from
> destination; and telephone number of the person requesting the flight
>
> NOTE: It is imperative that a current and accurate PL6 be given to
> Aircraft Services personnel for chargeback purposes.
>
> 3\. The Aircraft Dispatcher will determine if the requested flight is
> to be considered an activity that meets the definition of \"mission
> requirement\" or \"allowable transportation use.\" If the flight is
> for an allowable transportation use, it must meet one of four
> justification criteria in OMB Circular A-126, paragraph 6.e.
>
> a\. Mission requirement flights do not require a cost comparison to be
> completed prior to scheduling. Seldom will a flight by a BPA airplane
> be considered a mission requirement flight. The Aircraft Dispatcher
> will schedule flights with three or more passengers without further
> approval. Flights for one or two passengers must be approved by the
> Aircraft Services Manager.

b.  Allowable transportation flights may require a cost comparison to be
    completed per OMB Circular A-126 before the flight is authorized and
    scheduled. The Aircraft Dispatcher will complete a cost comparison;
    if the variable cost is less than commercial airline or commercial
    aircraft service, the flight will then be approved.

    12. **AIRCRAFT SCHEDULING PROCEDURES (continued)**

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c.  Flights that meet one of the four justification requirements of OMB
    Circular A-126, paragraph 6.e., and have three or more passengers
    will be scheduled by the Aircraft Dispatcher without further
    approval. Flights for one or two passengers must be approved by the
    Aircraft Services Manager.

**641.13 USE OF BPA AIRCRAFT BY OTHER PUBLIC ENTITIES**

A.  **BPA operates Aircraft Services** for the purpose of providing the
    agency with timely, clean, courteous, safe, and cost-effective
    aircraft support in furtherance of BPA\'s mission with the minimum
    number of required aircraft and avoids competition with the private
    sector. Employees shall not commit BPA aircraft to support private
    contractors who do not meet the definition of a BPA passenger, or
    any city, county, state, or Federal agency without written approval
    from the SMO for Aircraft Services.

**B. If the SMO authorizes use of a BPA aircraft** by another Government
entity, BPA will recover the cost of the operation per OMB Circular
A-126, Attachment A.

**641.14 CHARTER AIRCRAFT SERVICES**

**A. The use of chartered aircraft for allowable transportation uses**
(system emergencies excluded) is authorized if it is first determined
that the requirement cannot be met by in-house aircraft or commercial
common carrier, the flight is necessary to meet programmatic
requirements, and the flight is for official purposes. The Aircraft
Services Manager is exclusively authorized to charter aircraft for
allowable transportation purposes. Aircraft chartered for this purpose
must meet the following minimum requirements:

> 1\. The commercial aircraft services must have an FAA Part 135
> certificate with operations specification for airplane multi-engine
> land, visual flight rules (VFR) and instrument flight rules (IFR) day
> and night, passengers and cargo. The flight shall be conducted under
> FAA Part 135 rules.

2.  Only turbine-powered, multi-engine, pressurized airplanes will be
    utilized. The airplane, regardless of power plant, must be able to
    climb with the critical engine inoperative at least 50 feet per
    minute when operating at the minimum enroute altitude of the route
    to be flown, or 5000 feet mean sea level, whichever is higher.

3.  Flight crews shall include two qualified, current pilots for the
    aircraft. The only exception to this would be if a BPA pilot is
    qualified and current in the aircraft being chartered, he/she would
    be assigned to occupy the right front seaat of the airplane on the
    flight. The official position of the BPA pilot in this case would be
    a passenger; however the pilot would be there to help with any BPA
    related questions or problems.

> **641.14 CHARTER AIRCRAFT SERVICES (Continued)**
>
> 4\. The PIC shall hold a valid FAA Airline Transport Certificate.

B.  **The Regional Managers for Transmission Field Services** may
    charter aircraft for system emergencies when there is a dire
    emergency and imminent danger exists, and where the
    passenger/employee would be considered an \"air crew member\" or the
    flight requires transportation of employees/cargo to a site where
    only a helicopter could land. Prior to charter, the Regional Manager
    or his or her designated person will:

> 1\. Determine that a system emergency does in fact exist.
>
> 2\. Contact Aircraft Services and/or the system dispatcher to
> ascertain if a BPA aircraft could be made available. The system
> dispatcher maintains a roster of all Aircraft Services personnel and
> will be able to contact the Aircraft Services Manager or a designated
> person to assist the Regional Manager in obtaining charter aircraft
> services. A member of Aircraft Services must obtain any charter
> services to insure the safety of all BPA personnel involved. A current
> list of approved operators is available and only companies on that
> list will be authorized to fly BPA personnel.

**641.15 SAFETY:** Safety of the crew, passengers, and protection of
other persons and property are paramount at all times over all other
flight objectives. Aircraft Services will conduct an official safety
meeting at least once every 12 months.

**641.16 ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION**

**A. Aircraft accidents involving BPA aircraft** will be reported to the
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in accordance with 49 CFR
Part 830.

**B. Any aircraft overdue** and believed to have been involved in an
accident as defined in the NTSB rules, Part 830, must be reported
immediately to the NTSB.

**C. The BPA Aviation Safety Manager/Aircraft Services Manager** will
report all BPA aircraft accidents in accordance with NTSB Part 830 and
with *BPA Manual* Chapter 181.

**641.17 ACQUISITION, RETENTION, AND DISPOSITION OF AIRCRAFT**

**A. BPA shall own or operate the minimum fleet of aircraft** which will
satisfy its program requirements.

**B. BPA will comply with OMB Circulars** A-76, A-126, and applicable
BPA procurement regulations and budgetary procedures before purchasing,
leasing, renting, chartering, or disposing of aircraft.

**641.17 ACQUISITION, RETENTION, AND DISPOSITION OF AIRCRAFT
(Continued)**

C.  **BPA will periodically review the continuing need for all of its
    aircraft** and the cost-effectiveness of its aircraft operations in
    accordance with OMB Circular A-76. BPA will submit a copy of each
    review to GSA when completed, and to OMB with BPA\'s next budget
    submission. BPA will report excess and release all aircraft that are
    not fully justified by these reviews.

**D. On an annual fiscal year basis, the Senior Management Official
(SMO) for Aircraft Services shall** review the number, size, type,
cost-effectiveness, and continuing need for each category and class of
aircraft. Business Services will provide cost data consistent with the
accounting guidelines in OMB Circular A-126, and the Aircraft Services
Manager will provide flight hours and other operational

data for inclusion in the report. The SMO will submit the annual report
with his recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) not later
than December 31, for the previous fiscal year.

**641.18 REPLACEMENT OF AIRCRAFT:** The Aircraft Services Manager, as
the principal technical expert for aviation, will determine the optimum
replacement interval for each aircraft type. BPA will replace aircraft
during the optimum replacement interval for the aircraft type. Factors
to be considered in determining optimum replacement time are safety,
programmatic requirements, technological improvements, airframe
overhaul, component time life, and cost of operation. A forecast of
replacement will be included in the SMO for Aircraft Services' annual
report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on BPA aircraft operations.

**641.19 ACCOUNTING FOR AIRCRAFT COSTS**

**A. Accounting for BPA aircraft costs** shall be in compliance with BPA
policies and OMB Circular A-126.

**B. BPA\'s aviation program shall** be in full compliance with the
internal control requirements of OMB Circular A-123 and shall be
included in BPA\'s Management Control Plan in accordance with that
circular. Any material weaknesses shall be reported in the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO)\'s annual internal control report to the
Secretary of Energy.

**641.20 REFERENCES**

**A. Bonneville Project Act of 1937** and amendments

**B. Federal Columbia River Transmission System Act of 1974** (P.L.
93-454)

**C. Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977** (P.L. 95-91)

**D. Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act of
1980** (P.L. 96-501)

**E. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-126**

**F. OMB Circular A-76**

**G. Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR),** Parts 1, 21, 23, 27, 43, 61,
67, 91, 93, 95, 97, 119, 133, 135, and 137

**H.** **49 CFR 830, National Transportation Safety Board Rule 830**

**I. *BPA Manual* Chapter 2**, Functional Statements, Business Services

**641.20 REFERENCES (continued)**

**J. *BPA Manual* Chapter 180,** Safety And Health Program

**K. *BPA Manual* Chapter 230,** Basic Travel Policy, Responsibility And
Authority

**L. *BPA Manual* Chapter 640***,* Use Of Motor Vehicles

**M. *BPA Aircraft Services Operations Manual***