[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 97 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23925-23926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11904]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2008-0388]


Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: Public Charters, 14 
CFR, Part 380

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public 
Law 104-13, the Department of Transportation (DOT) invites the general 
public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the 
Public Charters, 14 CFR Part 380. The pre-existing information 
collection request was previously approved by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by July 20, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Reather Flemmings (202-366-1865) 
and Ms. Torlanda Archer (202-366-1037), Office of the Secretary, Office 
of International Aviation, Special Authorities Division, X-46, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments [identified by Docket No. DOT-OST-
2008-0388] through one of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West 
Building, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 2106-0005.
    Title: Public Charters, 14 CFR Part 380.
    Form Numbers: 4532, 4533, 4534, 4535.
    Type of Review: Revision of a previously approved collection: The 
current OMB inventory has decreased and the changes are listed below.
    Abstract: 14 CFR Part 380 (Part 380) establishes the regulations of 
the Department's terms and conditions governing Public Charter 
operators to conduct air transportation using direct air carriers. 
Public Charter operators arrange transportation for groups of people on 
chartered aircraft. This arrangement is less expensive for the

[[Page 23926]]

travelers than individually buying a ticket. Part 380 exempts charter 
operators from certain provisions of the U.S. code in order that they 
may provide this service. A primary goal of Part 380 is to seek 
protection for the consumer. Accordingly, the rule stipulates that the 
charter operator must file evidence (a prospectus--that consists of OST 
Forms 4532, 4533, 4534 and 4535) with the Department for each charter 
program certifying that it has entered into a binding contract with a 
direct air carrier to provide air transportation and that it has also 
entered into agreements with Department-approved financial institutions 
for the protection of charter participants' funds. The prospectus must 
be approved by the Department prior to the operator's advertising, 
selling or operating the charter. If the prospectus information were 
not collected, it would be extremely difficult to assure compliance 
with agency rules and to assure that public security and other consumer 
protection requirements were in place for the traveling public. The 
information collected is available for public inspection (unless the 
respondent specifically requests confidential treatment). Part 380 does 
not provide any assurances of confidentiality.
    Burden Statement: Completion of all forms in a prospectus can be 
accomplished in approximately two hours (30 minutes per form) for new 
filers and one hour for amendments (existing filings). The forms are 
simplified and request only basic information about the proposed 
programs and the private sector. The respondent can submit a filing to 
operate for up to one year and include as many flights as desired, in 
most cases. The operator is then required by regulations to file 
revisions to its original prospectus.
    Respondents: Private Sector: Air carriers; tour operators; the 
general public (including groups and individuals, corporations, and 
Universities or Colleges, etc.)
    Number of Respondents: 245.
    Number of Responses: 1,782.
    Total Annual Burden: 891.
    Frequency of Responses:

245 (respondents) x 4 = 980.
401 (amendments from the same respondents) x 2 = 802.
Total estimated responses: 980 + 802 = 1,782.
    The frequency of response is dependent upon whether the operator is 
requesting a new program or amending their existing prospectus. 
Variations occur due to the respondents' criteria. On average four 
responses (OST Forms 4532, 4533, 4534 and/or 4535) are required for 
filing new prospectuses and two of the responses (forms) are required 
for amendments. The separate hour burden estimate is as follows:
    Total Annual Burden: 891.
    Approximately 1,782 (responses) x 0.50 (per form) = 891.
    Public Comments Invited: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, by 
the use of electronic means, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. All responses to 
this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. 
Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1:48.

Patricia Lawton,
DOT Paperwork Reduction Act Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-11904 Filed 5-20-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P