Establishment of Class E Airspace Areas

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 94-ASW-07]

Establishment of Class E Airspace Areas

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace areas at Baton Rouge,

LA; Lafayette, LA; Amarillo, TX; and Midland, TX. Presently, these

areas are designated as Class C airspace when the associated control

tower is in operation. However, controlled airspace to the surface is

needed when the control towers located at these areas are closed. The

intended effect of this action is to provide adequate Class E airspace

for instrument flight rule (IFR) operations when these control towers

are closed.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 u.t.c., June 23, 1994.

Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before June 16, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to Manager, System

Management Branch, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region, Docket No.

94-ASW-07, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation

Administration, Fort Worth, TX 76193-0530.

The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant

Chief Counsel, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation Administration, 2601

Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, between 9 AM and 3 PM, Monday

through Friday, except Federal holidays. An informal docket may also be

examined during normal business hours at the System Management Branch,

Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation

Administration, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alvin DeVane, System Management Branch, Department of Transportation,

Federal Aviation Administration, Fort Worth, TX 76193-0530; telephone:

(817) 222-5595.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments on the Rule

Although this action is a final rule, and was not preceded by

notice and public procedure, comments are invited on the rule. This

rule will become effective on the date specified in the DATES section.

However, after the review of any comments, and, if the FAA finds that

further changes are appropriate, it will initiate rulemaking

proceedings to extend the effective date of the rule or amend the

regulation.

Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and

suggestions presented are particularly helpful in evaluating the

effects of the rule, and in determining whether additional rulemaking

is required. Comments are specifically invited on the overall

regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related

aspects of the rule that might suggest the need to modify the rule.

The Rule

This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations

establishes Class E airspace areas at Baton Rouge, LA; Lafayette, LA;

Armarillo, TX; and Midland, TX. Currently, this airspace is designated

as Class C when the associated control tower is in operation.

Nevertheless, controlled airspace to the surface is needed for IFR

operations at Baton Rouge, LA; Lafayette, LA; Amarillo, TX; and

Midland, TX, when the control towers are closed. The intended effect of

this action is to provide adequate Class E airspace for IFR operations

at these airports when these control towers are closed.

The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North

American Datum 83. Class E airspace areas designated as surface areas

for airports are published in Paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9A dated

June 17, 1993, and effective September 16, 1993, which is incorporated

by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 (58 FR 36298; July 6, 1993). The Class E

airspace designations listed in this document will be published

subsequently in the Order. Under the circumstances presented, the FAA

concludes that there is an immediate need to establish these Class E

airspace areas in order to promote the safe and efficient handling of

air traffic in these areas. Therefore, I find that notice and public

procedures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are impracticable and contrary to the

public interest.

The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an

established body of technical regulations that need frequent and

routine amendments 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 will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial

number of small entities under the criteria for the Regulatory

Flexibility Act.

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. app. 1348(a), 1354(a), 1510; E.O. 10854, 24

FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 14 CFR

11.69.

Sec. 71.1 [Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal

Aviation Administration Order 7400.9A, Airspace Designations and

Reporting Points, dated June 17, 1993, and effective September 16,

1993, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area

for an airport

* * * * *

ASW LA E2 Baton Rouge Metro, Ryan Field, LA [New]

Baton Rouge Metro, Ryan Field, LA

(lat. 30 deg.32'00'' N., long. 91 deg.08'58'' W.)

Within a 5-mile radius of the Baton Rouge Metro, Ryan Field.

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 Airport/Facility Directory.

* * * * *

ASW LA E2 Lafayette Regional Airport, LA [New]

Lafayette Regional Airport, LA

(lat. 30 deg.12'19'' N., long. 91 deg.59'15'' W.)

Within a 5-mile radius of the Lafayette Regional Airport. 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

Airport/Facility Directory.

* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Amarillo, TX [New]

Amarillo International Airport, TX

(lat. 35 deg.13'10'' N., long. 101 deg.42'22'' W.)

Within a 5-miles radius of Amarillo International Airport. 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

Airport/Facility Directory.

* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Midland International Airport, TX [New]

Midland International Airport, TX

(lat. 31 deg.56'33'' N., long. 102 deg.12'07'' W.)

Within a 5-miles radius of Midland International Airport. 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

Airport/Facility Directory.

* * * * *

Issued in Forth Worth, TX, on May 4, 1994.

James A. Caudle,

Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region.

[FR Doc. 94-11404 Filed 5-10-94; 8:45 am]

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