[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 38 (Monday, February 26, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8208-8210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03660]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2017-0865; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASO-19]
Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace;
Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport, MS
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E
surface airspace, Class E airspace designated as an extension (by
removing NOTAM part-time status), and Class E airspace extending upward
from 700 feet above the surface at Keesler Air Force Base (AFB),
Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, (formerly
Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport), Gulfport, MS. The geographic
coordinates for these airports and the Keesler TACAN navigation aid
would be adjusted in the associated Class D and E airspace to match the
FAA's aeronautical database. Also, an editorial change would be made to
the Class E extension airspace legal descriptions replacing ``Airport/
Facility Directory'' with the term ``Chart Supplement'' for these
airports. This action would enhance the safety and management of
instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 12, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West
Bldg. Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone (800)
647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify the Docket No. FAA-2017-
0865; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASO-19, at the beginning of your comments.
You
[[Page 8209]]
may also submit and review received comments through the internet at
http://www.regulations.gov. You may review the public docket containing
the proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in
person in the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except federal holidays.
FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and
subsequent amendments can be viewed on line 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 7400.11B at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is
published yearly and effective on September 15.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Fornito, Operations Support
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1700
Columbia Ave, College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone (404) 305-6364.
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 would amend Class D and Class E airspace at Keesler AFB, Biloxi,
MS, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Gulfport, MS, to support
IFR operations at these airports.
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 and be submitted
in triplicate to the address listed above. 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-2017-0865; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASO-19.'' 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 through the
internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov/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 between 8:00 a.m. and
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays at the office
of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room
350, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective
September 15, 2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B lists
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and
reporting points.
The Proposal
The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by amending Class D airspace and Class E
airspace designated as an extension, at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS, and
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (formerly Gulfport-Biloxi
Regional Airport, Gulfport, MS), by removing the part-time Notice to
Airmen (NOTAM) status of each airport.
This proposal also would amend the geographic coordinates of these
airports and the Keesler TACAN navigation aid to be in concert with the
FAA's aeronautical database.
This action also notes the airport name change of Gulfport-Biloxi
International Airport from Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport.
Finally, this action would replace the term ``Airport/Facility
Directory'' with the term `Chart Supplement'' in the legal descriptions
for Keesler AFB, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, in Class D
and Class E surface airspace.
Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs
5000, 6002, 6004 and 6005, respectively of FAA Order 7400.11B, dated
August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, which is incorporated
by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E airspace
designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in
the Order.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
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, will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
[[Page 8210]]
Environmental Review
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``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(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 Federal Aviation
Administration Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, is
amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
ASO MS D Biloxi, MS [Amended]
Keesler AFB, MS
(Lat. 30[deg]24'38'' N, long. 88[deg]55'28'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Keesler AFB, excluding
the portion west of long. 89[deg]00'00'' W. This Class D airspace
area is effective during the specific dates and times established in
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will
thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
ASO MS D Gulfport, MS [Amended]
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, MS
(Lat. 30[deg]24'26'' N, long. 89[deg]04'12'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Gulfport-Biloxi
International Airport; excluding that portion of airspace within the
Biloxi, MS, Class D airspace area. This Class D airspace area is
effective during the specific dates and times established in advance
by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter
be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Area Airspace.
* * * * *
ASO MS E2 Biloxi, MS [Amended]
Keesler AFB, MS
(Lat. 30[deg]24'38'' N, long. 88[deg]55'28'' W)
Within a 4.2-mile radius of Keesler AFB, excluding the portion
west of long. 89[deg]00'00'' W. This Class E airspace area is
effective during the specific dates and times established in advance
by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter
be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a
Class D Surface Area.
* * * * *
ASO MS E4 Biloxi, MS [Amended]
Keesler AFB, MS
(Lat. 30[deg]24'38'' N, long. 88[deg]55'28'' W)
Keesler TACAN
(Lat. 30[deg]24'26'' N, long. 88[deg]55'47'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.4 miles
each side of the Keesler TACAN 204[deg] radial, extending from the
4.2-mile radius of Keesler AFB to 6 miles southwest of the TACAN.
* * * * *
ASO MS E4 Gulfport, MS [Amended]
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, MS
(Lat. 30[deg]24'26'' N, long. 89[deg]04'12'' W)
Gulfport VORTAC
(Lat. 30[deg]24'25'' N, long. 89[deg]04'36'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3.3 miles
each side of Gulfport VORTAC 130[deg] and 322[deg] radials,
extending from the 4.5-mile radius of Gulfport-Biloxi International
Airport to 7 miles southeast and northwest of the VORTAC; excluding
that portion within the Biloxi, MS, Class D and E airspace areas.
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
ASO MS E5 Gulfport, MS [Amended]
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, MS
(Lat. 30[deg]24'26'' N, long. 89[deg]04'12'' W)
Keesler AFB
(Lat. 30[deg]24'38'' N, long. 88[deg]55'28'' W)
Keesler TACAN
(Lat. 30[deg]24'26'' N, long. 88[deg]55'47'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7-mile radius of Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport and
within a 6.5-mile radius of Keesler AFB and within 2 miles each side
of Keesler TACAN 204[deg] radial, extending from the 6.5-mile radius
to 10.6 miles southwest of the TACAN.
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on February 14, 2018.
Ryan W. Almasy,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2018-03660 Filed 2-23-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P