[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 28, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 26431-26433] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-13255] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 14 CFR Part 71 [Airspace Docket No. 95-AWA-7] Modification of the Offutt AFB, Class C Airspace Area; NE AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This rule will modify the Class C airspace area at Offutt AFB, NE, by eliminating the 1-mile exclusion around the South Omaha Airport due to its closure. In addition, this action will reduce controller workload. EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, August 15, 1996. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bil Nelson, Airspace and Rules Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-3075. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: History On November 1, 1995, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to modify the Class C airspace area at Offutt AFB, NE (60 FR 55498). Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received concerning the proposal. Except for editorial changes, this amendment is the same as that proposed in the notice. Class C airspace designations are published in paragraph 4000 of FAA Order 7400.9C dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16, 1995, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class C airspace designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order. The Rule This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) modifies the Class C airspace area at Offutt AFB, NE. This amendment eliminates the 1-mile exclusion around the South Omaha Airport due to its closure. The action returns this airspace to the surface area of the established Class C airspace. Regulatory Evaluation Summary Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 directs that each Federal agency shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its costs. Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 requires agencies to analyze the economic effect of regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the Office of Management and Budget directs agencies to assess the effect of regulatory changes on international trade. In conducting these analyses, the FAA has determined that this final rule is not ``a significant regulatory action'' as defined in the Executive Order and the Department of Transportation Regulatory Policies and Procedures. This final rule will modify the Class C airspace area at Offutt AFB, NE. The [[Page 26432]] rule will delete the 1-mile airspace exclusion around South Omaha Airport and standardize air traffic operations. Costs The FAA has determined that the implementation of the final rule to modify the Class C airspace area at Offutt AFB, NE, will result in little or no cost to either the agency or aircraft operators. The elimination of the 1-mile airspace exclusion around the South Omaha Airport will not reduce aviation safety nor increase the risk of a midair collision because that airport is closed. Also, the revision to aeronautical charts to reflect the airspace modification will be part of the routine and periodic updating of charts. Finally, the FAA will not incur any additional administrative costs for either personnel or equipment. Benefits The final rule will generate benefits for system users and the FAA primarily in the form of enhanced operational efficiency. The final rule will provide additional controlled airspace for aircraft landing at and departing from the Offutt AFB, NE. Air traffic controllers will gain operational efficiency as they will be able to standardize air traffic operations. Final Regulatory Flexibility Determination The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) was enacted by Congress to ensure that small entities are not unnecessarily and disproportionately burdened by Federal regulations. The RFA requires a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis if a final rule will have ``a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.'' FAA Order 2100.14A outlines the FAA's procedures and criteria for implementing the RFA. Small entities are independently owned and operated small businesses and small not-for-profit organizations. A substantial number of small entities is defined as a number that is 11 or more and which is more than one-third of the small entities subject to this final rule. The FAA determined that revising the Class C airspace area at Offutt AFB will not result in a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This determination was made because there are little or no costs associated with this final rule. International Trade Impact Assessment This final rule will not constitute a barrier to international trade, including the export of U.S. goods and services to foreign countries and the import of foreign goods and services into the United States. This final rule will not impose costs on aircraft operators or aircraft manufacturers in the United States or foreign countries. The modification of the Class C airspace area will only affect U.S. terminal airspace operating procedures at and in the vicinity of Offutt AFB, NE. This final rule will not have international trade ramifications because it is a domestic airspace matter that will not impose additional costs or requirements on affected entities. Conclusion In view of the minimal cost of compliance, the benefits of enhanced aviation safety, and increased operational efficiency of air traffic controllers, the FAA believes that this final rule is cost-beneficial. List 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--[AMENDED] 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; 14 CFR 11.69. Sec. 71.1 [Amended] 2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9C, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16, 1995, is amended as follows: Paragraph 4000--Subpart C--Class C Airspace * * * * * ACE NE C Offutt AFB, NE [Revised] Offutt AFB, NE (lat. 41 deg.07'06''N, long. 95 deg.54'45''W.) That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 5,000 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of Offutt AFB, and that airspace extending upward from 2,500 feet MSL to and including 5,000 feet MSL within a 10-mile radius of the Offutt AFB excluding that airspace designated as the Eppley Airfield, Omaha, NE, Class C airspace area. * * * * * Issued in Washington, DC, on May 13, 1996 Harold W. Becker, Acting Program Director for Air Traffic, Airspace Management. BILLING CODE 4910-13-P [[Page 26433]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28MY96.001 [FR Doc. 96-13255 Filed 5-24-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-C