**APPLICATION FOR**

**USE OF NON-NOAA AIRCRAFT**

***FOR MISSION OPERATIONS ^1^***

On July 1, 2005, the Under Secretary approved NOAA=s new Aviation Safety
Policy governing the use of non-NOAA aircraft by NOAA personnel.

Because safety is of paramount concern, NOAA will continue to restrict
the use of non-NOAA aircraft by NOAA personnel. NAO 209-124 established
NOAA\'s Aviation Safety Policy.

Under the interim guidance, except under limited circumstances,[^1] NOAA
personnel are only authorized to fly for official business on non-NOAA
aircraft that are:

A. Secured using the existing AReimbursable Interagency Agreement
between NOAA and the U.S. Department of Interior, National Business
Center, Aviation Management, for Aviation Services Procurement;"

B. Owned and operated by other departments, agencies or
instrumentalities of the United States; by state or local governments;
or by the governments of countries that meet the Federal Aviation
Administration International Safety Assessment Program Category I
rating; or

C. Approved for use by the Director of NMAO, following a risk assessment
examining the safety of the proposed flight.

The following sets forth the process for obtaining approval from the
Director of NMAO, as authorized by paragraph C above, for use of
non-NOAA aircraft for purposes of Mission Operations.

**I. [Submission of Requests]{.underline}**

A request for use of non-NOAA aircraft may be submitted in writing
through the Line Office liaison to Jim Kelley, NOAA Aviation Safety
Program Manager who will then forward the request to the Director, NMAO.
Line Office liaisons are listed on the aviation safety website:
http:www/aviationsafety.noaa.gov

**II. [Information Requirements]{.underline}**

Each request shall include the information requested below to the extent
it is available and appropriate. Incomplete applications may result in a
delay to the risk assessment process. Providing the requested
information will not ensure approval. Rather, information provided will
be used by NMAO to perform an operational risk assessment.

**1. [Flight Information]{.underline}**

Identify the following:

A. The nature and purpose of the proposed flight operations.

     

B. The NOAA program affected.

     

The proposed aircraft provider(s) (include contact information - name,
address, and phone).

     

C. The proposed date(s) of flight operations.

     

D. The proposed number of total flight hours required.

     

E. The proposed flight profile (including the flight location,
day/night, weather conditions, altitude, speed, duration, and distance
offshore if over water).

     

F. The names of all NOAA employees required to be onboard the aircraft.
(*Note:* Where used in this document, the term "NOAA Employee" refers to
any person considered an employee of NOAA, a contract employee of NOAA,
or any individual who meets the definition of an employee under Public
Law 103-3 (Federal Employees Compensation Act)). Next to each name,
include affiliation with NOAA (employee, contractor, graduate student,
etc.).

     

**2. [Aircraft Provider Information]{.underline}**

> Provide the information requested below. If readily available, include
> supporting documentation. If information is obtained through
> interviewing the proposed provider, include the name and phone number
> of the interviewer and the provider contact interviewed. (*Note:* the
> information requested below references Federal Aviation Administration
> (FAA) requirements. If proposed flight operations will occur
> internationally, identify all comparable international requirements
> that may be applicable.)

A. If an interview was conducted to obtain information about the
aircraft provider, insert the name and phone number of the interviewer
and the provider contact below.

     

NOAA Interviewer -- name and phone

     

Provider Contact -- name and phone

B. List the provider's prior experience conducting comparable flight
operations. This information should include "recency of experience," and
contact information (references) for prior "customers" for which
comparable flight operations were performed.

     

C. Identify the FAA Operating Certificate (14 CFR 91, 119, 135, 121,
etc.) under which the provider operates.

     

D. List or reference all operating rules under which the provider
proposes to conduct flight operations for NOAA (14 CFR 91, 135, 121,
etc.).

     

E. Identify the aircraft to be used for the proposed flight operations,
including:

1\. The aircraft make and model.

     

2\. The number and type of engines (piston, turboprop, jet, etc.).

     

3\. The type of Airworthiness Certificate issued to the aircraft
(Standard, Restricted, etc.), and the airworthiness certificate country
of origin.

     

4\. Whether or not the aircraft is owned by the provider and listed on
the provider's air carrier/operator certificate (where appropriate). If
the aircraft is not owned by the provider identify the aircraft owner.

     

F. Provide the following information about pilots to be used during
proposed flight operations:

1\. The number of pilots (per aircraft).

     

2\. The pilot certificate (type and number) and ratings for each pilot.
Include the country of origin for each pilot certificate.

     

3\. The experience level of each pilot (including total flight hours,
time in make and model, time in make and model within the past 6 months,
and level of experience with operations similar to the flight operation
proposed).

     

4\. Each pilot's employment status with the provider (full time,
part-time, sub-contractor, etc.).

     

G. Confirm that the provider's Operations Manual contains information
about:

*Select all topics that are covered in the Operations Manual, if no
manual exists or the topic is not covered, leave it blank*

 1. [Management and administration of the provider's flight program,
including the roles, responsibilities, and qualification criteria for
all personnel within the provider's organization.]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

2. Mission preparation, including [weight and balance
calculations.]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[ 3. Procedures for filing flight plans and monitoring aircraft location
during flight.]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[ 4. Accident notification requirements.]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

5. Flight and duty time limitations for aircrew and maintenance
personnel.

6. FAA approved drug and alcohol testing program for aircrew and
maintenance personnel.

7. [FAA or manufacturers approved maintenance program.]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[ 8. Reporting and recording of aircraft maintenance
discrepancies.]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[ 9. Aircraft Minimum Equipment List (MEL).]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[ 10. Training for aircrew and maintenance personnel (initial and
recurrent).]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[ 11. Hazardous materials identification and handling.]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[ 12. Flight safety and survival.]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

**3. [NOAA Employee Aviation Safety Training and Equipment
Information]{.underline}**

Provide the safety training information and Aviation Life Support
Equipment (ALSE) information requested below. If readily available,
include supporting documentation. (*Note:* Where used in this section,
the term "NOAA Employee" refers to any person considered an employee of
NOAA, a contract employee of NOAA, or any individual who meets the
definition of an employee under Public Law 103-3 (Federal Employees
Compensation Act)).

A.  Provide the information requested in the table, if additional space
    is needed, please attach the additional information to the
    application.

+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| **NOAA Employee | **Aviation      | **Training      | **Date of most  |
| Name**          | Survival**      | Provider**      | recent          |
|                 |                 |                 | training**      |
|                 | **Training      |                 |                 |
|                 | (Basic, Water,  |                 |                 |
|                 | Arctic, etc)**  |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
|                 |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
|                 |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
|                 |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
|                 |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
|                 |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
|                 |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
|                 |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
|                 |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
|                 |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
|                 |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+

B. List all Aviation Life Support Equipment (Vest, HEED, Personal
Locator Beacon, Life Raft (type), Immersion Suit, Helmet, etc.) to be
provided to NOAA employees for this flight activity and the source of
that equipment (NOAA or aircraft provider).

     

**III. [Review of Exemption Requests]{.underline}**

Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The Director of NMAO
will review the operational risk assessment analysis. The Director of
NMAO will then determine whether or not to grant a waiver to allow use
of the aircraft. NMAO will endeavor to provide a decision within 72
hours (3 working days) of receipt of a completed request. All waivers
granted shall be in writing, and signed by the Director of NMAO.

In the event of emergencies that either preclude submission of a waiver
request in the manner set forth above, or that require a decision within
less than 72 hours, the Assistant Administrator, Deputy Assistant
Administrator or Staff Office Director may contact the Director of NMAO,
who may determine the extent, if any, to which review of an exemption
request may depart from the process set forth above.

**IV. [Line Office Point of Contact for Application]{.underline}**

In the space below, please provide the name and phone number of the
person who prepared this application in the event NMAO needs more
information to perform an operational risk assessment of the proposed
flight operations.

     

Name and phone

[^1]: Under the interim guidance, restrictions on the use of non-NOAA
    aircraft do not apply to: a) use of scheduled carriers for point to
    point transportation; b) use of non-NOAA aircraft for the
    acquisition of products or data, where no NOAA personnel fly on the
    aircraft in any capacity; c) use of non-NOAA aircraft for movement
    of cargo, where no NOAA personnel fly on the aircraft in any
    capacity; or d) employee use of their privately owned aircraft for
    transportation purposes, provided use is in accordance with all
    Federal Travel Regulations and no passengers are on board.