Proposed Expansion of Restricted Area R-6002, Poinsett-Sumter, SC

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 73

[Airspace Docket No. 94-ASO-9]

Proposed Expansion of Restricted Area R-6002, Poinsett-Sumter, SC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to raise the upper limit of Restricted

Area R-6002 from the current 13,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), to and

including Flight Level (FL) 230, in order to provide airspace for high

angle bomb delivery training at the Poinsett Range. As amended, the

existing Restricted Area R-6002 would be redesignated R-6002A, and two

new areas overlying R-6002A would be designated as R-6002B and R-6002C.

This amendment would also change the name of the using agency for the

restricted areas.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 9, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air

Traffic Division, ASO-500, Docket No. 94-ASO-9, Federal Aviation

Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, GA 30320.

The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of

the Chief Counsel, Room 916, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,

DC, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

An informal docket may also be examined during normal business

hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Military Operations

Program Office (ATM-420), Office of Air Traffic System Management,

Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-9361.

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 number and be

submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing

the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must

submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which

the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 94-

ASO-9.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the

commenter. Send comments on environmental and land-use aspects to:

HQACC/CEVA, 129 Andrews, Suite 102, Langley Air Force Base (AFB), VA

23665-2769. All communications received on or 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 comments received. All comments submitted will be available

for examination in the Rules Docket 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 filed in the

docket.

Availability of NPRM's

Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration,

Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-220,

800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202)

267-3485. Communications must identify the notice number of this NPRM.

Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's

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 73 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 73) to raise the upper limit of

Restricted Area R-6002, Poinsett-Sumter, SC, from the current 13,000

feet MSL up to and including FL 230. The horizontal boundaries of the

restricted area would not be changed by this proposal. The existing

Restricted Area R-6002 would be redesignated as R-6002A from the

surface to but not including 13,000 feet MSL. Two new subareas would be

established directly above R-6002A: R-6002B from 13,000 feet MSL to but

not including FL 180; and R-6002C from FL 180 to and including FL 230.

This configuration would facilitate the real-time utilization of

airspace with the B and C subareas being activated when needed for high

angle delivery training. This amendment would also change the name of

the using agency for the restricted areas to reflect the redesignation

of the 363rd Fighter Wing at Shaw AFB as the 20th Fighter Wing. The

U.S. Air Force requested an increase in the vertical limits of R-6002

in order to conduct high altitude/high angle bomb delivery training. R-

6002 does not currently have sufficient vertical airspace to accomplish

this training. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on

North American Datum 83. Section 73.60 of part 73 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations was republished in FAA Order 7400.8B dated March

9, 1994.

The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves

an 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.

Environmental Review

An environmental review of this proposal will be conducted by the

U.S. Air Force and the FAA prior to an FAA final decision on the

proposal. The results of the review will be addressed in any subsequent

rulemaking action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

Airspace, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation

Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 73 as follows:

PART 73--[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 73 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. app. 1348(a), 1354(a), 1510, 1522; E.O.

10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g);

14 CFR 11.69.

Sec. 73.60 [Amended]

2. Section 73.60 is amended as follows:

R-6002 Poinsett-Sumter, SC [Removed]

R-6002A Poinsett-Sumter, SC [New]

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 33 deg.54'25'' N., long.

80 deg.24'11'' W.; to lat. 33 deg.46'26'' N., long. 80 deg.23'11''

W.; to lat. 33 deg.44'28'' N., long. 80 deg.31'41'' W.; to lat.

33 deg.50'14'' N., long. 80 deg.31'02'' W.; to lat. 33 deg.53'38''

N., long. 80 deg.31'02'' W.; to the point of beginning.

Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 13,000 feet

MSL.

Time of designation. 0600-2400 local time Monday-Friday; 0800-

1600 local time Saturday; other times by NOTAM at least 8 hours in

advance.

Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.

Using agency. U.S. Air Force, 20 FW, Shaw AFB, SC.

R-6002B Poinsett-Sumter, SC [New]

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 33 deg.54'25'' N., long.

80 deg.24'11'' W.; to lat. 33 deg.46'26'' N., long. 80 deg.23'11''

W.; to lat. 33 deg.44'28'' N., long. 80 deg.31'41'' W.; to lat.

33 deg.50'14'' N., long. 80 deg.31'02'' W.; to lat. 33 deg.53'38''

N., long. 80 deg.31'02'' W.; to the point of beginning.

Designated altitudes. 13,000 feet MSL to but not including FL

180.

Time of designation. 0600-2400 local time Monday-Friday; 0800-

1600 local time Saturday; other times by NOTAM at least 8 hours in

advance.

Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.

Using agency. U.S. Air Force, 20 FW, Shaw AFB, SC.

R-6002C Poinsett-Sumter, SC [New]

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 33 deg.54'25'' N., long.

80 deg.24'11'' W.; to lat. 33 deg.46'26'' N., long. 80 deg.23'11''

W.; to lat. 33 deg.44'28'' N., long. 80 deg.31'41'' W.; to lat.

33 deg.50'14'' N., long. 80 deg.31'02'' W.; to lat. 33 deg.53'38''

N., long. 80 deg.31'02'' W.; to the point of beginning.

Designated altitudes. FL 180 to FL 230.

Time of designation. 0600-2400 local time Monday-Friday; 0800-

1600 local time Saturday; other times by NOTAM at least 8 hours in

advance.

Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.

Using agency. U.S. Air Force, 20 FW, Shaw AFB, SC.

Issued in Washington, DC, on November 15, 1994.

Harold W. Becker,

Manager, Airspace-Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.

[FR Doc. 94-28918 Filed 11-22-94; 8:45 am]

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