Establishment of Class E Airspace; St. Paul, MN

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-AGL-57]

Establishment of Class E Airspace; St. Paul, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at St. Paul, MN. An

airspace review for St. Paul, Downtown Holman Field, MN, indicated the

need for surface area controlled airspace during periods when the

control tower is closed. The surface area provides a safer operating

environment for business/corporate turbo jet and turbo prop aircraft

which operate into and out of the airport when the control tower is

[[Page 7282]]

closed. The airport meets the minimum communications and weather

observation and reporting requirements. Controlled airspace extending

upward from the surface will contain aircraft executing instrument

approach procedures.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, April 23, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle M. Behm, Air Traffic

Division, Airspace Branch, AGL-520, Federal Aviation Administration,

2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, telephone (847)

294-7568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On Monday, November 10, 1997, the FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part

71 to establish Class E airspace at St. Paul, MN (62 FR 60461). The

proposal was to add controlled airspace extending upward from the

surface to contain Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations in

controlled airspace during periods when the control tower is closed.

Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking

proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA.

No comments objecting to the proposal were received. Class E airspace

designations for airspace areas designated as a surface area for an

airport are published in paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9E dated

September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 1997, which is

incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace

designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in

the Order.

The Rule

This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 establishes Class E airspace at

St. Paul, MN, to accommodate aircraft executing the published

instrument approach procedures at St. Paul, Downtown Holman Field,

during periods when the control tower is closed. Controlled airspace

extending upward from the surface is needed to contain aircraft

executing these approaches. The area will be depicted on appropriate

aeronautical charts.

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.

Therefore, this regulation--(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--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 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 the Federal

Aviation Administration Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and

Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16,

1997, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area

for an airport.

* * * * *

AGL MN E2 St. Paul, MN [New]

St. Paul, Downtown Holman Field, MN

(lat. 44 deg.56'04'' N.; long. 93 deg.03'36'' W.)

South St. Paul Municipal Richard E. Fleming Field, MN

(lat. 44 deg.51'26'' N., long. 93 deg.01'59'' W.)

Within a 4.1-mile radius of the St. Paul, Downtown Holman Field,

excluding that airspace within a 1-mile radius of South St. Paul

Municipal, Richard E. Fleming Field. This Class E 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 22, 1998.

Maureen Woods,

Manager, Air Traffic Division.

[FR Doc. 98-3732 Filed 2-12-98; 8:45 am]

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