[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 218 (Friday, November 8, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57772-57773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28793]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. 96-ACE-17]


Amendment to Class E Airspace, Knob Noster, MO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the Class E airspace area at Whiteman AFB, 
Knob Noster, MO. A review of military instrument approach procedures 
found that there is not sufficient Class E airspace and requires an 
increase of 0.5 mile extension to the north in order to protect the 
point at which arrivals leave 1,000 feet AGL. The effect of this rule 
is to provide additional controlled airspace for aircraft executing the 
SIAPs at Whiteman AFB.

DATES: Effective Date: March 27, 1997.
    Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before December 31, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Send comments in triplicate to: Manager, Operations Branch, 
Air Traffic Division, ACE-530, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket 
Number 96-ACE-17, 601 East 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel for the Central Region at the same address between 9:00 
a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the Air Traffic Division at the same address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathy Randolph, Air Traffic Division, Operations Branch, ACE-530C, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106: telephone (816) 426-3408.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has reviewed the controlled airspace 
at Whiteman AFB, Knob Noster, MO. The existing Class E airspace does 
not protect the point at which arrivals leave 1,000 feet AGL. 
Therefore, we have added a 0.5 mile extension to the north. The 
amendment to Class E airspace at Knob Noster, MO, will provide 
additional controlled airspace to segregate aircraft operating under 
Visual Flight Rules (VFR) from aircraft operating under Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) procedures while arriving or departing the airport. 
The area will be depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts thereby 
enabling pilots to either circumnavigate the area, continue to operate 
under VFR to and from the airport, or otherwise comply with IFR 
procedures. Class E airspace areas extending from surface of the earth 
are published in paragraph 6000 of FAA Order 7400.9D, dated September 
4, 1996, and effective September 16, 1996, 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 Direct Final Rule Procedure

    The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
or negative comment and therefore is issuing it as a direct final rule. 
Previous actions of this nature have not been controversial and have 
not resulted in adverse comments or objections. The amendment will 
enhance safety for all flight operations by designating an area where 
VFR pilots may anticipate the presence of IFR aircraft at lower 
altitudes, especially during inclement weather conditions. A greater 
degree of safety is achieved by depicting the area on aeronautical 
charts. Unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a written 
notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment is received 
within the comment period, the regulation will become effective on the 
date specified above. After the close of the comment period, the FAA 
will publish a document in the Federal Register indicating that no 
adverse or negative comments were received and confirming the date on 
which the final rule will become effective. If the FAA does receive, 
within the comment period, an adverse or negative comment, or written 
notice of intent to submit such a comment, a document withdrawing the 
direct final rule will be published in the Federal Register, and a 
notice of proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment 
period.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications

[[Page 57773]]

should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate 
to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn in light of 
the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
action will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 96-ACE-17.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Agency Findings

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and 
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For the reasons 
discussed in the preamble, I certify that this regulation (1) is not as 
a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is 
not a ``significant rule'' under Department of Transportation (DOT) 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration amends Part 71 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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 incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.9D, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 1996, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 6000  Class E airspace areas extending upward from the 
surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ACE NE E2 Knob Noster, MO. [Revised]

Knob Noster, MO.
    (Lat. 38 deg.43'49'' N., long. 93 deg.32'53'' W.)
Whiteman TACAN
    (Lat. 38 deg.44'09'' N., long. 93 deg.33'02'' W.)

    Within a 4.6-mile radius of Whiteman AFB and within 1.8 miles 
each side of the Whiteman TACAN 185 deg. radial extending from the 
4.6-mile radius to 6.1 miles south of the TACAN and within 1 mile 
each side of the Whiteman TACAN 008 deg. radial extending from the 
4.6-mile radius to 5.1 miles north of the TACAN. This Class E 
airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times 
established in advance by a Notice to Airman. The effective date and 
time will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/
Facility Directory.
* * * * *
    Issued in Kansas City, MO, on October 17, 1996.
Herman J. Lyons, Jr.,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Central Region.
[FR Doc. 96-28793 Filed 11-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-17-M