# Revocation of Class E Airspace, Revision of Class D Airspace; Torrance, CA > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A99-1355 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Rule - **Published:** January 21, 1999 - **Citation:** 64 FR 3206 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 71 [Airspace Docket No. 98-AWP-34] Revocation of Class E Airspace, Revision of Class D Airspace; Torrance, CA AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This action will revoke the Class E airspace arrival extensions and revise the Class D airspace area for Torrance Municipal Airport, CA. DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC March 25, 1999. Comment date: Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before February 22, 1999. ADDRESSES: Send comments on the direct final rule in triplicate to: Federal Aviation Administration, Attn: Manager, Airspace Branch, AWP- 520, Docket No. 98-AWP-34, Air Traffic Division, P.O. Box 92007, Worldway Postal Center, Los Angeles, California 90009. The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Western-Pacific Region, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 6007, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California 90261. An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the Office of the Manager, Airspace Branch, Air Traffic Division at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Trindle, Air Traffic Division, Airspace Specialist, AWP-520.10, Western-Pacific Region, Federal Aviation Administration, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California 90261, telephone (310) 725-6613. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The intended effect of this action is to incorporate the Class E airspace arrival extensions (E4) into the Class D airspace area associated with Torrance Municipal Airport and lower the ceiling of the reconfigured Class D airspace area to 2,400 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL). An airspace review and analysis of Torrance has made this action necessary. In accordance with FAA Order 7400.2D, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters, if the length of an arrival extension is less than 2 miles from the surface area, it shall remain a part of the basic surface area. This is the case at Torrance Municipal Airport. The existing Class E airspace for Torrance was published and charted in error as an arrival extension and should be a part of the Class D surface area. The revised altitude of 2,400 feet MSL will provide aircraft the opportunity to operate over Torrance Class D airspace at 2,500 feet MSL and above without having to obtain permission from Torrance Airport Traffic Control Tower. This is a commonly used altitude in this area for aircraft flying off shore to avoid the Los Angeles Class B airspace. Class D airspace areas are published in Paragraph 5000 and Class E4 airspace areas are published in Paragraph 6004 of FAA Order 7400.9F dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document would be subsequently removed from this Order. The Direct Final Rule Procedure The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse or negative comment and therefore is issuing it as a direct final rule. A substantial number of previous opportunities provided to the public to comment on essentially identical actions have resulted in negligible adverse comments or objections. Unless a written adverse or negative comment or a written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative is received within the comment period, the regulation will become effective on the date specified above. After the close of the comment period, the FAA will publish a document in the Federal Register indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received and confirming the date on which the final rule will become effective. If the FAA does receive, within the comment period, an adverse or negative comment, or written notice of intent to submit such a comment, a document withdrawing the direct final rule will be published in the Federal Register, and a notice of proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment period. Comments Invited Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this action will be filed in the Rules Docket. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 98-AWP-34.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. Agency Findings The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and [[Page 3207]] unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, 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; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS 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 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, is amended as follows: Paragraph 6004 Class E airspace areas designated as an extension to a Class D surface area. * * * * * AWP CA E4 Torrance, CA [Removed] * * * * * Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace. * * * * * AWP CA D Torrance, CA [Revised] Torrance Municipal Airport, CA (Lat. 33 deg.48'12'' N, long. 118 deg.20'22'' W) Los Angeles VORTAC (Lat. 33 deg.55'59'' N, long. 118 deg.25'55'' W) That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,400 feet MSL within a 2.6 mile radius of the Torrance Municipal Airport including that airspace within 2 miles each side of the Los Angeles VORTAC 149 deg. radial, extending from the 2.6 mile radius of the Torrance Municipal Airport to 4 miles northwest of the airport and within 2 miles of each side of the 304 deg. bearing from the airport, extending from the 2.6 mile radius of the airport to 4 miles northwest of the airport and within 1.8 miles each side of the Torrance localizer course extending from the 2.6 mile radius of the airport to 4.4 miles southeast of the airport. 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 Airport/Facility Directory. Issued in Los Angeles, California, on January 4, 1999. John Clancy, Manager, Air Traffic Division, Western-Pacific Region. [FR Doc. 99-1355 Filed 1-20-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-M --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A99-1355. Public record. Not legal advice.