Air carrier certification and operations: Class D and Class E airspace,

[Federal Register: August 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 159)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 44865-44866]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr18au99-16]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-ASO-14]

Proposed Amendment to Class D and Establishment of Class E2 Airspace; Fort Rucker, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D hours of operation and establish Class E2 airspace at Fort Rucker, AL, for the Cairns Army Air Field. The control tower at Cairns Army Air Field is now open 0600-0100 daily. Therefore, the Class D airspace hours of operation are amended from continuous to part time. This action requires establishment of Class E2 surface area airspace when the tower is closed and approach control service is provided by Cairns Army Radar Approach Control Facility.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 17, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 99-ASO-14, Manager, Airspace Branch, ASO-520, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320.

The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Regional Counsel for Southern Region, Room 550, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337, telephone (404) 305-5627.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy B. Shelton, Manager, Airspace Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-5627.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed rulemaking 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 the airspace docket and be submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters 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 Airspace Docket No. 99-ASO- 14.'' 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. All comments submitted will be available for examination in the Office of the Regional Counsel for Southern Region, Room 550, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337, both before and after the closing date for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filedin the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Manager, Airspace Branch, ASO-520, Air Traffic Division, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320. Communications must identify the docket number of this NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRMs should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A which describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

The FAA is considering an amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to amend Class D hours of operation and establish Class E2 surface area airspace at Fort Rucker, AL, for the Cairns Army Air Field. The control tower at Cairns Army Air Field is open 0600-0100 daily. Therefore, the Class D airspace would be amended from continuous to part time. This action would also establish Class E2 surface area airspace when the tower is closed and approach control service is provided by Cairns Army Radar Approach Control Facility. Class D airspace designations and Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area for an airport are published in Paragraphs 5000 and 6002 respectively of FAA Order 7400.9F, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E airspace designations listed in this document would be published subsequently in the Order.

The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves an

[[Page 44866]]

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 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.

List 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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, is amended as follows:

   Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace

   * * * * *

   ASO AL D Fort Rucker, AL [Revised]

   Cairns Army Air Field, AL

   (Lat. 31 deg.16'14'' N., long. 85 deg.43'58'' W.)

   That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,800 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of lat. 31 deg.18'30'' N. long. 85 deg.42'20'' 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 DOD IFR--Supplement Airport/Facility Directory. * * * * *

   Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

   ASO AL E2 Fort Rucker, AL [New]

   Within a 5-mile radius of lat. 31 deg.18'30'' N., long. 85 deg.42'20'' W. This Class E surface area airspace 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 DOD IFR--Supplement Airport/Facility Directory. * * * * *

   Issued in College Park, Georgia, on August 3, 1999. Nancy B. Shelton, Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southern Region.

   [FR Doc. 99-21037Filed8-17-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-M