Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace; Tacoma Narrows Airport, WA
| Published date | 30 November 2021 |
| Citation | 86 FR 67858 |
| Record Number | 2021-25937 |
| Section | Rules and Regulations |
| Court | Federal Aviation Administration,Transportation Department |
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 227 (Tuesday, November 30, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 30, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67858-67860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25937]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0925; Airspace Docket No. 20-ANM-18]
RIN 2120-AA66
Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace; Tacoma Narrows
Airport, WA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D airspace, Class E surface
airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above
ground level (AGL) at Tacoma Narrows Airport, Tacoma, WA. A review of
the airspace was initiated due to corresponding reviews at McChord
Field (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) and Gray AAF (Joint Base Lewis-
McChord). All three locations were evaluated at the same time due to
their close proximity to one another and operational interdependence.
After a review of the airspace, the FAA found it necessary to modify
the existing airspace for the safety and management of Instrument
Flight Rules (IFR) operations at this airport.
DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, January 27, 2022. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11
and publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://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. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is also available for inspection at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
[[Page 67859]]
For information on the availability of FAA Order JO 7400.11F at NARA,
email [email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-2245.
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 modify the Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, and
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above ground level to
support IFR operations at Tacoma Narrows Airport, Tacoma, WA.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal
Register (85 FR 71289; November 9, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2020-0925
to modify the Class D and Class E airspace at Tacoma Narrows Airport,
Tacoma, WA. Interested parties were invited to participate in this
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the
FAA. One comment in support of the action was received.
Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in
paragraphs 5000, 6002, 6005 of FAA Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10,
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, which is incorporated by
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E airspace designations
listed in this document will be published subsequently in FAA Order JO
7400.11.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F lists Class
A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and
reporting points.
The Rule
The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by modifying the lateral
boundaries of the Class D and Class E surface airspace and the Class E
airspace extending upward from 700 feet AGL at Tacoma Narrows Airport,
Tacoma, WA. A review of the airspace was initiated due to corresponding
reviews at McChord Field (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) and Gray AAF (Joint
Base Lewis-McChord). All three locations were evaluated at the same
time due to their close proximity to one another and operational
interdependence. The airspace at McChord Field and Gray AAF (Joint Base
Lewis-McChord) were reviewed due to three actions. The FAA
decommissioned the McChord VORTAC because the U.S. Air Force was no
longer going to maintain the NAVAID. The U.S. Air Force requested the
elimination of previously excluded airspace, which required an airspace
review to evaluate that request, and the Class D airspace at McChord
Field and Gray AAF (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) had not been examined in
the previous two years, as required by FAA Orders.
The Tacoma Narrows Airport Class D and Class E surface airspace
that extends to 5.3 miles south of the airport would be removed as it
is no longer needed for arrivals or departures.
In addition, the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet
AGL within 4 miles each side of the 007[deg] and 187[deg] bearings from
the Tacoma Narrows Airport extending to 8 miles north and 7 miles south
of the airport will be shortened to 6 miles, respectively.
FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
is published yearly and effective on September 15.
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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is
certified that this rule, when promulgated, would 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 5-6.5a. This airspace action is not expected to
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant the preparation of an
environmental assessment.
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--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS
0
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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 JO
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10,
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
ANM WA D Tacoma, WA [Amended]
Tacoma Narrows Airport, WA
(Lat. 47[deg]16'05'' N, long. 122[deg]34'41'' W)
McChord Field (Joint Base Lewis-McChord), WA
(Lat. 47[deg]08'17'' N, long. 122[deg]28'34'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,800 feet MSL within a 4-mile radius of Tacoma Narrows Airport,
excluding that airspace within the McChord Field (Joint Base Lewis-
McChord) 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.
[[Page 67860]]
Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.
* * * * *
ANM WA E2 Tacoma, WA [Amended]
Tacoma Narrows Airport, WA
(Lat. 47[deg]16'05'' N, long. 122[deg]34'41'' W)
McChord Field (Joint Base Lewis-McChord), WA
(Lat. 47[deg]08'17'' N, long. 122[deg]28'34'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4-mile
radius of Tacoma Narrows Airport, excluding that airspace within the
McChord Field (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) 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.
6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More
Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
ANM WA E5 Tacoma, WA [Amended]
Tacoma Narrows Airport, WA
(Lat. 47[deg]16'05'' N, long. 122[deg]34'41'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within 4 miles each side of the 007[deg] bearing from the Tacoma
Narrows Airport extending to 6 miles north of the airport, and
within 4 miles each side of a 187[deg] bearing from the airport
extending to 6 miles south of the airport.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on November 23, 2021.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2021-25937 Filed 11-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
