[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15154]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 93-ASW-33]

 

Modification of Class E Airspace: Refugio, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class E airspace at Refugio, TX. 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above ground level, has 
been designated at the Mellon Ranch Airport, Refugio, TX. This airspace 
overlies Rooke Field, located approximately 6 nautical miles (NM) west 
of the Mellon Ranch Airport. Operators at Rooke Field have requested 
that Rooke Field be excluded from the Class E airspace at Mellon Ranch 
Airport. Since the airspace within a \1/2\ mile radius of Rooke Field 
is not needed to conduct safe operations, this action is intended to 
exclude that airspace from the Mellon Ranch Airport, Refugio, TX, Class 
E airspace.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, August 18, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alvin DeVane, System Management Branch, Air Traffic Division, Southwest 
Region, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Fort Worth, TX 76193-0530, telephone 817-222-5595.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On March 9, 1994, a proposal to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to modify the Class E airspace at 
Refugio, TX, was published in the Federal Register (59 FR 11010).
    Interested persons were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
One commenter expressed concern about excluding the airspace within a 2 
NM radius of Rooke Field from the Class E airspace at Mellon Ranch 
Airport. However, in a subsequent comment, the same commenter stated 
that he had no objection to excluding the airspace within a \1/2\ mile 
radius of Rooke Field from the Mellon Ranch Airport Class E airspace. 
After further analysis, the FAA concurs with the final position of the 
commenter and is reducing the amount of excluded airspace to that 
airspace within a \1/2\ mile radius of Rooke Field. This change will 
allow the continuation of more controlled airspace for the Mellon Ranch 
Airport while relinquishing unneeded control over the operations at 
Rooke Field. Additionally, the NPRM incorrectly listed the airspace in 
the narrative description as ``E2''. The designation of E2 is used to 
designate Class E airspace from the surface. The correct designation 
for this Class E airspace is ``E5''. Except for these modifications, 
this amendment is adopted as proposed.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class E airspace designations for airspace areas 
extending upward from 700 feet or more above ground level are published 
in Paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9A dated June 17, 1993, and 
effective September 16, 1993, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1 (58 FR 36298; July 6, 1994). The Class E airspace designation 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
modifies the Class E airspace located at Refugio, TX.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations that need frequent and 
routine amendments 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 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:
* * * * *

Paragraph 6005: Class E Airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Refugio. TX [Revised]

Refugio, Mellon Ranch Airport, TX
    (lat 28 deg.16'51'' N., long. 97 deg.12'41'' W.)
Mellon Ranch RBN
    lat 28 deg.16'48'' N., long. 97 deg.12'21'' W.)
Refugio, Rooke Field, TX
    (lat. 28 deg.17'37'' N., long. 97 deg.19'23'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.6-mile radius of Mellon Ranch Airport and within 2.7 
miles each side of the 345 deg. bearing from the Mellon Ranch RBN 
extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 7.4 miles north of the airport 
and within 2.7 miles each side of the 145 deg. bearing from the 
Mellon Ranch RBN extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 7.4 miles 
south of the airport, excluding that airspace within a \1/2\ mile 
radius of Refugio, Rooke Field, TX, and excluding that airspace 
within the Rockport, TX, Class E airspace.
* * * * *
    Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on June 2, 1994.
Larry D. Gray,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 94-15154 Filed 6-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M