[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 74 (Monday, April 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9222]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 94-ASO-3]

 

Proposed Amendment of Offshore Airspace Area, San Juan, PR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to amend the Offshore Airspace Area at 
Puerto Rico. This action would lower the base of the San Juan Offshore 
Airspace Area from 5500 feet MSL to 2500 feet MSL. The intended effect 
is to lower the base of the Offshore Airspace Area to provide 
sufficient controlled airspace for instrument flight rule (IFR) 
operations, and to create a uniform base of controlled airspace in the 
area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before: May 25, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Docket No. 94-ASO-3, Manager, System 
Management Branch, ASO-530, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel for Southern Region, room 530, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337, telephone (404) 305-5200.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kenneth R. Patterson, Airspace Section, System Management Branch, Air 
Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-5585.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views or arguments are 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 aspects of the proposal. Communications 
should identify the airspace docket 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-ASP-3.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter. All 
communications received 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 the light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel for Southern 
Region, room 530, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337, 
both before and after the closing date for comments. A report 
summarizing each substantive public contacts 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, 
Manager, System Management Branch (ASO-530), Air Traffic Division, P.O. 
Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320. 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 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to amend the Offshore Airspace 
Area at San Juan, PR. The intended effect is to lower the base of the 
Offshore Airspace Area from 5500 feet MSL to 2500 feet MSL, to contain 
IFR operations in controlled airspace, and to create a uniform base of 
controlled airspace in the area. The base of this controlled airspace 
was increased to 5500 feet during the airspace reclassification for the 
purpose of creating a standard 5500 ft. base of controlled airspace in 
all the surrounding areas, however, the base of all airspace 
surrounding the San Juan Offshore Airspace was never increased to 5500 
ft. and remains at 2500 feet MSL. It has also been found with the base 
at 5500 feet, air traffic control does not have sufficient airspace for 
IFR traffic arriving and departing Rafael Hernandez Airport. The 
coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 
83. Designations for Offshore Airspace Areas are published in Paragraph 
6007 of FAA Order 7400.9A dated June 17, 1993 and effective September 
16, 1993 which is incorporated by reference in CFR 71.1. The Offshore 
Airspace Area designation listed in this document would be published 
subsequently in the Order.
    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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (Air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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:

Para. 6007  Offshore Airspace Areas

* * * * *

San Juan Low, PR  [Amended]

Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, PR
    (lat. 18 deg.27'25'' N, long. 66 deg.05'53'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 2,500 feet MSL within a 100-
mile radius of the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport.
* * * * *
    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on March 30, 1994.
Michael J. Powderly,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southern Region.
[FR Doc. 94-9222 Filed 4-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M