[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11806-11807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03518]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6986; Airspace Docket No. 16-ACE-6]


Revocation of Class E Airspace; Farmington, MO; and Amendment of 
Class E Airspace for the following Missouri Towns; Ava, MO; Cameron, 
MO; Chillicothe, MO; Farmington, MO; and Festus, MO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action removes Class E surface area airspace at 
Farmington Regional Airport, Farmington, MO; and modifies Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ava Bill 
Martin Memorial Airport, Ava, MO; Cameron Memorial Airport, Cameron, 
MO; Chillicothe Municipal Airport, Chillicothe, MO; Farmington Regional 
Airport, Farmington, MO; and Festus Memorial Airport, Festus, MO. 
Decommissioning of non-directional radio beacons (NDB), cancellation of 
NDB approaches, and implementation of area navigation (RNAV) procedures 
have made this action necessary for the safety and management of 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at these airports.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, April 27, 2017. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves this incorporation by reference action under Title 1, 
Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual revision of 
FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. 20591; telephone: 202-267-
8783. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11A at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX, 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 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 regulation is within the scope of that authority 
as it removes Class E surface area airspace at Farmington Regional 
Airport, Farmington, MO; and modifies Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface at Ava Bill Martin Memorial Airport, 
Ava, MO; Cameron Memorial Airport, Cameron, MO; Chillicothe Municipal 
Airport, Chillicothe, MO; Farmington Regional Airport; and Festus 
Memorial Airport, Festus, MO.

History

    On June 28, 2016, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), (81 FR 41900) Docket No. FAA-
2016-6986, to remove Class E surface area airspace at Farmington 
Regional Airport, Farmington, MO; and modify Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ava Bill Martin Memorial 
Airport, Ava, MO; Cameron Memorial Airport, Cameron, MO; Chillicothe 
Municipal Airport, Chillicothe, MO; Farmington Regional Airport; and 
Festus Memorial Airport, Festus, MO. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. One comment was received from Mr. Wally 
Roberts stating that the NPRM did not adequately substantiate the 
reason for removing the Class E surface area airspace at Farmington 
Regional Airport. The FAA agrees and offers the following in response 
to Mr. Roberts' comment.
    Federal Aviation Administration Order JO 7400.2K, Procedures for 
Handling Airspace Matters, provides the criteria for determining 
airspace requirements. Chapter 18 of the FAA Order JO 7400.2K outlines 
the requirements for Class E airspace. For an airport to have Class E 
surface area airspace designated, it must meet the requirements 
outlined in paragraph 18-1-3, which states, ``If the communication and 
weather requirements described in paragraphs 17-2-9 and 17-2-10 are 
met, Class E surface airspace may be designated. . .'' The Farmington 
Regional Airport meets the weather requirements outlined in paragraph 
17-2-10; however, it does not meet the communications requirements in 
17-2-9, specifically communication capabilities with aircraft to the 
runway surface of the airport. This was verified with Kansas City Air 
Route Traffic Control Center, which has jurisdiction over Farmington 
Regional Airport. As the Farmington Regional Airport does not meet the 
requirements for Class E surface area airspace contained in paragraph 
18-1-3, it is not in compliance with FAA Order JO 7400.2K, and the 
airspace is being removed. The Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface at Farmington Regional Airport provides for 
the transition to/from the airport and provides the airspace required 
by FAA Order JO 7400.2K to protect the current standard instrument 
approach procedures at the airport and for the safety and management of 
IFR operations at the airport.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6002 and 
6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11A, dated August 3, 2016, and 
effective September 15, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designations listed in this document 
will be published subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 
2016. FAA Order 7400.11A is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11A lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas,

[[Page 11807]]

air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 removes Class E surface area airspace at Class E surface area 
airspace at Farmington Regional Airport, Farmington, MO, as it is not 
in compliance with FAA Order JO 7400.2K and the airport does not meet 
the requirements for Class E surface area airspace. This action also 
modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface at the following airports:
    Within a 6.8-mile radius (increased from a 6.3-mile radius) of Ava 
Bill Martin Memorial Airport, Ava, MO, with a segment extending from 
the 6.8-mile radius to the Dogwood VHF omnidirectional range collocated 
tactical air navigation (VORTAC) west/northwest of the airport;
    Within a 6.4-mile radius of Cameron Memorial Airport, Cameron, MO, 
removing the extension south of the airport;
    Within a 6.4-mile radius (decreased from a 6.9-mile radius) of 
Chillicothe Municipal Airport, Chillicothe, MO;
    Within a 6.4-mile radius of Farmington Regional Airport, 
Farmington, MO, with a segment extending from the 6.4-mile radius to 
11.5 miles southwest of the airport, and a segment extending from the 
6.4-mile radius to the Farmington VORTAC; and
    Within a 6.9-mile radius (increased from the 6.2-mile radius) of 
Festus Memorial Airport, Festus, MO, with a segment extending from the 
6.9-mile radius to 8.8 miles south of the airport, and removing the 
decommissioned Festus NDB from the boundary description.
    Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of 
NDBs including the Cameron NDB and Festus NDB: cancellation of NDB 
approaches; and implementation of RNAV procedures at these airports. 
Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of the 
standard instrument approach procedures for IFR operations at these 
airports.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current, is 
non-controversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
comments. 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 only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule, when promulgated, does not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the 
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 5-6.5.a. This airspace action is not expected 
to cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (Air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 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(f), 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 FAA Order 7400.11A, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and 
effective September 15, 2016, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ACE MO E2 Farmington, MO [Removed]

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ACE MO E5 Ava, MO [Amended]

Ava Bill Martin Memorial Airport, MO
    (Lat. 36[deg]58'19'' N., long. 92[deg]40'55'' W.)
Dogwood VORTAC
    (Lat. 37[deg]01'24'' N., long. 92[deg]52'37'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.8-mile radius of Ava Bill Martin Memorial Airport, and 
within 1.8 miles each side of the 107[deg] radial of the Dogwood 
VORTAC extending from the 6.8-mile radius to the VORTAC.
* * * * *

ACE MO E5 Cameron, MO [Amended]

Cameron Memorial Airport, MO
    (Lat. 39[deg]43'39'' N., long. 94[deg]16'35'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.4-mile radius of Cameron Memorial Airport.
* * * * *

ACE MO E5 Chillicothe, MO [Amended]

Chillicothe Municipal Airport, MO
    (Lat. 39[deg]46'55'' N., long. 93[deg]29'47'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.4-mile radius of Chillicothe Municipal Airport.
* * * * *

ACE MO E5 Farmington, MO [Amended]

Farmington Regional Airport, MO
    (Lat. 37[deg]45'40'' N., long. 90[deg]25'43'' W.)
Farmington VORTAC
    (Lat. 37[deg]40'24'' N., long. 90[deg]14'03'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.4-mile radius of Farmington Regional Airport, and within 
4 miles each side of the 204[deg] bearing from the airport extending 
from the 6.4-mile radius to 11.5 miles southwest of the airport, and 
within 2 miles each side of the Farmington VORTAC 299[deg] radial 
extending from the 6.4-mile radius of the airport to the VORTAC.
* * * * *

ACE MO E5 Festus, MO [Amended]

Festus Memorial Airport, MO
    (Lat. 38[deg]11'42'' N., long. 90[deg]23'08'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.9-mile radius of Festus Memorial Airport, and within 2 
miles each side of the 188[deg] bearing from the airport extending 
from the 6.9-mile radius to 8.8 miles south of the airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 1, 2017.
Walter Tweedy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2017-03518 Filed 2-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P