[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8360-8362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03046]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0806; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-21]
Proposed Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, and Proposed
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Tri-Cities, TN
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D and Class E Airspace,
and establish Class E airspace at Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Tri-
Cities, TN. Airspace reconfiguration would alleviate traffic issues in
the surrounding area for Johnson City Airport and Edwards Heliport so
flights could navigate in and out of their respective airports in
Visual Flight Rules conditions under 700 feet. This would enhance the
safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
operations in the area.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 31, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule to: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001; Telephone: 1-
800-647-5527; Fax: 202-493-2251. You must identify the Docket Number
FAA-2013-0806; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-21, at the beginning of your
comments. You may also submit and review received
[[Page 8361]]
comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Fornito, Operations Support
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O.
Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-6364.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire.
Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and
suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing reasoned
regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited
on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and
energy-related aspects of the proposal.
Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No.
FAA-2013-0806; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-21) and be submitted in
triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES section for
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
Persons wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on
this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped
postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket
No. FAA-2013-0806; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-21.'' The postcard will
be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
All communications received before the specified closing date for
comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule.
The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of the
comments received. A report summarizing each substantive public contact
with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the
docket.
Availability of NPRMs
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from and
comments submitted through http://www.regulations.gov. Recently
published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's
Web page at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets
Office (see the ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
Holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal
business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal
Aviation Administration, Room 350, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park,
Georgia 30337.
Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future
NPRM's should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677,
to request a copy of Advisory circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking distribution System, which describes the application
procedure.
The Proposal
The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend Class D airspace, and Class E
surface area airspace at Tri Cities Regional Airport, Tri-Cities, TN.
Both the Class D airspace area and Class E surface area airspace would
be reduced from a 6.8-mile radius of the airport to within a 4.3-mile
radius of the airport.
The FAA found it necessary to establish Class E airspace designated
as an extension to a Class D surface area at Tri-Cities Airport because
removal of the previous airspace configuration caused congestion for
pilots traveling to/from two neighboring airports, Edwards Heliport and
Johnson City Airport (see 78 FR 7993, February 5, 2013). Controlled
airspace would be established within a 4.3-mile radius of Tri-Cities
Airport, with a segment extending from the 4.3-mile radius of the
airport to 6.8 miles northeast of the airport. This action is necessary
for continued safety and management of IFR operations in the Tri-Cities
area.
Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs
5000, 6002, and 6004, respectively of FAA Order 7400.9X, dated August
7, 2013, and effective September 15, 2013, which is incorporated by
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in
this document will be published subsequently in the Order.
The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
It, therefore, (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979);
and (3) does not warrant preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation as the
anticipated impact is so minimal. Since this is a routine matter that
will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is
certified that this proposed rule, when promulgated, would not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority. This proposed rulemaking is promulgated under the authority
described in Subtitle VII, Part, A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under
that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign
the use of airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the
efficient use of airspace. This proposed regulation is within the scope
of that authority as it would amend Class D and Class E airspace at
Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Tri-Cities, TN.
This proposal would be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71:
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment:
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS
0
1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854,
24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation
Administration Order 7400.9X, Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, dated August 7, 2013, effective September 15, 2013, is amended
as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace
* * * * *
[[Page 8362]]
ASO TN D Tri-Cities, TN [Amended]
Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
(Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
4,000 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Tri-Cities Regional
Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific
days and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The
effective days and times will thereafter be continuously published
in the Airport/Facility Directory.
Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas
* * * * *
ASO TN E2 Tri-Cities, TN [Amended]
Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
(Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.3-
mile radius of Tri-Cities Regional Airport. This Class E airspace
area is effective during the specific days and times established in
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective days and times will
thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility
Directory.
Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a
Class D Surface Area
* * * * *
ASO TN E4 Tri-Cities, TN [New]
Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
(Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)
That airspace extending from the surface within 2.5-miles either
side of the 043[deg] bearing from Tri-Cities Regional Airport,
extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 6.8-miles northeast of the
airport. This Class E airspace area is effective during specific
dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The
effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in
the Airport/Facility Directory.
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on February 4, 2014.
Eric Fox,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2014-03046 Filed 2-11-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P