Government Aviation Administration and Coordination

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 101-37

[FPMR Amendment G-107]

Government Aviation Administration and Coordination

AGENCY: Federal Supply Service, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation implements the guidance and direction of OMB

Circular A-126, May 22, 1992, pertaining to aviation safety programs

within Federal agencies. This action is necessary to establish the

requirement for aviation safety programs within all Federal aviation

operations. Implementation of this regulation will improve safety

awareness and management in the use of Government aviation resources.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 27, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Godwin, Aircraft Management

Division (703-305-6399).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The General Services Administration (GSA)

has determined that this rule is not a significant rule for the

purposes of Executive Order 12866.

REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ACT: This final rule is not required to be

published in the Federal Register for notice and comment. Therefore,

the Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply.

List of Subjects in 41 CFR Part 101-37

Aircraft, Air transportation, Aviation, Government property

management.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 41 CFR part 101-37 is

amended as follows:

PART 101-37--GOVERNMENT AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AND COORDINATION

1. The authority citation for part 101-37 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 1344; Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390; 40 U.S.C.

486(c).

2. Subpart 101-37.12 is added to read as follows:

SUBPART 101-37.12--FEDERAL AGENCY AVIATION SAFETY PROGRAM

Sec. 101-37.1200 General.

(a) This subpart sets forth guidance to agencies for establishing

aviation safety programs in accordance with the direction given to GSA

in OMB Circular A-126, but the subpart is not binding on other

agencies.

(b) The aviation safety program objective is the safe

accomplishment of the agency mission, and is a direct result of

effective management which should include attention to detail

sufficient to preclude the occurrence of an accident. Each agency

should establish appropriate key management positions and define their

responsibilities and qualifications. Agencies should ensure these

positions are staffed with properly qualified personnel.

Sec. 101-37.1201 Applicability.

As prescribed in this subpart 101-37.12, the requirement to develop

and operate an aviation safety program which addresses all program

facets including, but not limited to, flight, ground, and weapons

environments, is applicable to all Federal aviation programs.

Sec. 101-37.1202 Agency aviation safety responsibilities.

Agencies operating aviation programs are responsibilities for

establishing and conducting a comprehensive aviation safety program.

Agencies should appoint qualified aviation safety managers at both the

national and operational program level.

Sec. 101-37.1203 Avaiation safety manager qualifications.

(a) Aviation safety manager positions may be full time or

additional duty, based on program mission requirements. In general, an

aviation safety manger should, regardless of management level:

(1) Be knowledgeable in agency aviation program activities within

his/her purview;

(2) Have experience as a pilot, crew member, or in aviation

operations management; and

(3) Be a graduate of a recognized aviation safety officer or

accident prevention course, or qualified within 1 year through

attendance at formal courses(s) of instruction.

(b) These standards should be used as a guide to ensure that

qualified personnel are selected as safety managers. However, they do

not supersede those job classifications prescribed by the Office of

Personnel Management or other appropriate authority.

Sec. 101-37.1204 Program responsibilities.

Agencies will ensure that policies, objectives, and standards are

established and clearly defined to support an effective aviation

accident prevention effort. The aviation safety manager should develop

and implement an agency aviation safety program which integrates agency

safety policy into aviation related activities.

Sec. 101-37.1205 Program elements.

As a recommendation, aviation safety program elements should

include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) Aviation safety council;

(b) Inspections and evaluations;

(c) Hazard reporting;

(d) Aircraft accident and incident investigation;

(e) Education and training;

(f) Aviation protective equipment;

(g) Aviation qualification and certification; and

(h) Awards program.

Sec. 101-37.1206 Aviation safety council.

(a) Each agency should establish aviation safety councils at the

appropriate aircraft operations level. The purpose of the council is to

promote safety by exchanging ideas, reviewing, and discussing hazard

reports and accident and incident reports, and assessing the threat to

safe operation inherent in mission operations plans. The council should

function to recommend changes to agency policies, rules, regulations,

procedures, and operations based upon such discussions, reviews, and

assessments. The council should meet regularly and should consist, at a

minimum, of those individuals within the organization responsible for

the following areas:

(1) Operations/mission planning;

(2) Safety;

(3) Aircrew training;

(4) Maintenance; and

(5) Aircrew scheduling.

(b) Safety meetings for operations and maintenance personnel are

used to increase the education and awareness of agency personnel

regarding the hazards associated with aviation and to discuss mishap

prevention. Meetings should be scheduled and conducted on a regular

basis.

Sec. 101-37.1207 Inspections and evaluations.

The purpose of any inspection or evaluation is to prevent aviation

accidents and to foster aviation safety.

(a) Each agency should establish and maintain an inspection and

evaluation program for all aviation activities. All operational

elements of the aviation activity should be regularly inspected and

evaluated based on standardized criteria established by the agency. The

purpose of this program is to ensure that the agency mission is being

carried out in accordance with Federal and agency safety regulations

and directives.

(b) Records should be kept and will identify the function or work

area involved, date(s), hazard(s) identified, and recommended

corrective action(s). All agencies will ensure appropriate resolution

and close-out.

Sec. 101-37.1208 Hazard reporting.

Each agency safety program should include an aviation hazard

reporting and resolution tracking system. Hazards are identified as

conditions, practices, or procedures that constitute an immediate or

potential threat to the safe conduct of aviation operations and may be

reported by any person. Reports may be submitted on any event,

procedure, practice, or condition that adversely affects safety of

aviation operations. Prompt resolution of hazards, by safety threat

priority, should be the goal of the agency.

Sec. 101-37.1209 Aircraft accident and incident investigation and

reporting.

Each agency aviation safety program should have an aircraft

accident and incident investigation and reporting capability (see

subpart 101-37.11).

Sec. 101-37.1210 Education and training.

Each aviation operations program should develop and conduct

aviation safety training within applicable OPM guidelines.

Identification, development, and presentation of training needs that

are unique to respective programs should be accomplished as required.

Training frequency, duration, and currency requirements should be

developed for each safety discipline, and should consist of initial and

recurring training.

Sec. 101-37.1211 Aviation protective equipment.

Each agency should establish an aviation protective equipment

program. Such a program should ensure that all personnel flying aboard

agency aircraft are equipped with, or have at their disposal,

appropriate aviation life support equipment.

Sec. 101-37.1212 Aircrew qualification and certification.

Minimum standards for aircraft operations are established by OPM

Position Classification Series GS-2181. Agencies should periodically

review operational requirements to establish or revise aircrew

standards. Such standards should ensure that aircrew members meet the

minimum qualification and certification necessary for the continued

safe operation of aircraft.

Sec. 101-37.1213 Aircraft accident and incident database.

Each agency should establish an aircraft accident and incident data

collection system to support an effective aviation safety and accident

prevention program. The database should include:

(a) Owner and operator of the aircraft;

(b) Federal Aviation Administration registration number or assigned

tail number;

(c) Aircraft make, model, and serial number;

(d) Location of occurrence;

(e) Date of mishap (month/day/year);

(f) Type of mishap, accident, or incident (see Sec. 101-37.1101,

Definitions);

(g) Estimated damage to the aircraft;

(h) Type of injury; no injury, serious injury, or fatal injury (see

Sec. 101-37.1101, Definitions);

(i) Brief description of the circumstances; and

(j) Name of the investigator as it appears on the factual report

(see Sec. 101-37.1108).

Sec. 101-37.1214 Aviation safety awards program.

Each agency should establish an aviation safety awards program to

recognize individuals and organizations for exceptional acts or service

in support of the organizational aviation safety program. Such a

program should provide for awards in flight, ground, and weapons

safety, if applicable.

Dated: May 16, 1994.

Roger W. Johnson,

Administrator of General Services.

[FR Doc. 94-12957 Filed 5-26-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6820-24-M