Modification of Class D Airspace; Minot, ND

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-AGL-3]

Modification of Class D Airspace; Minot, ND

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class D airspace areas at Minot AFB and

Minot International Airport, Minot, ND, by amending the areas'

effective hours to coincide with the associated control tower's hours

of operation. The intended effect of this action is to clarify when

two-way radio communication with these air traffic control towers is

required.

DATES: Effective date. 0901 UTC, March 27, 1997.

Comment date. Comments must be received on or before February 27,

1997.

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

Traffic

[[Page 6462]]

Division, Operations Branch, AGL-530, Docket No. 97-AGL-3, Federal

Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois

60018.

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

Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 E. Devon Avenue,

Des Plaines, Illinois. An informal docket may also be examined during

normal business hours at the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John A. Clayborn, Air Traffic Division, Operations Branch, AGL-530,

Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines,

Illinois 60018, telephone (847) 294-7568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments on the Rule

Although this action is in the form of a final rule, and was not

preceded by notice and public procedure, comments are invited on the

rule. When the comment period ends, the FAA will use the comments

submitted, together with other available information, to review the

regulation. If the FAA receives no adverse comments in response to this

action, this rule will become effective on the date specified in the

DATES section. After the review, if the FAA finds that further changes

are appropriate, it will initiate rulemaking proceedings to 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 which might suggest the need to modify the rule.

The Rule

This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR part 71) modifies the Class D airspace areas at Minot AFB and Minot

International Airport, Minot, ND, by amending the areas' effective

hours to coincide with the associated control tower's hours of

operation. Prior to Airspace Reclassification, an airport traffic area

(ATA) and a control zone (CZ) existed at these airports. However,

Airspace Reclassification, effective September 16, 1993, discontinued

the use of the term ``airport traffic area'' and ``control zone,''

replacing them with the designation ``Class D airspace.'' The former CZ

was continuous, while the former ATA was contingent upon the operation

of the air traffic control tower. The consolidation of the ATA and CZ

into a single Class D Airspace designation makes it necessary to modify

the effective hours of the Class D airspace to coincide with the

control tower's hours of operation. The intended effect of this action

is to clarify when two-way radio communication with these air traffic

control towers is required.

The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North

American Datum 83. Class D airspace designations are published in

Paragraph 5000 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 D 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 modify

these Class D airspace areas in order to promote the safe and efficient

handling of air traffic in these areas.

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.

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 of 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 14 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 incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the 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 5000 General

* * * * *

AGL ND D Minot, ND [Revised]

Minot International Airport, ND

(Lat. 48 deg.15'34'' N, long. 101 deg.16'53'' W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including

4,200 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Minot International

Airport. This Class D airspace area is effecting during the specific

dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The

effective dates and time will thereafter be continuously published

in the Airport/Facility Directory.

AGL ND D Minot AFB, ND [Revised]

Minot AFB, ND

(Lat. 48 deg.24'56'' N, long. 101 deg.21'28'' W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including

4,200 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Minot AFB. This Class D

airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times

established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective dates

and times will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/

Facility Directory.

* * * * *

Issued in Des Plaines Illinois on January 17, 1997.

Maureen Woods,

Manager, Air Traffic Division.

[FR Doc. 97-3408 Filed 2-11-97; 8:45 am]

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