[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22090]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 8, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 94-AEA-10]

 

Modification of Class D Airspace and Establishment of Class E 
Airspace; Various Locations, State of Virginia

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D airspace area at Newport 
News, VA, by amending the area's effective hours to coincide with the 
associated control tower's hours of operation. This action also 
establishes Class E airspace in this area when the associated control 
tower is closed. Additionally, this action establishes and/or modifies 
Class E airspace areas at Lynchburg, VA, Manassas, VA, and Wallops 
Island, VA. Presently, these areas are designated as Class D airspace 
when the associated control tower is in operation. However, controlled 
airspace to the surface is needed when the control towers at these 
locations are closed. The intended effect of this action is to clarify 
when two-way radio communication with these air traffic control towers 
is required and to provide adequate Class E airspace for instrument 
approach procedures when these control towers are closed.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 u.t.c. December 8, 1994.

    Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before October 15, 
1994.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, AEA-500, Airspace Docket Number 94-AEA-10, F.A.A. 
Eastern Region, Fitzgerald Federal Building #111, John F. Kennedy 
International Airport, Jamaica, New York 11430. An informal docket may 
also be examined during normal business hours at the address listed 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Frank Jordan, Airspace Specialist, System Management Branch, AEA-
530, F.A.A. Eastern Region, fitzgerald Federal Building #111, John F. 
Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, New York 11430; telephone: 
(718) 553-0857.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments on the Rule

    Although this action is a final rule, and was not preceded by 
notice and public procedure, comments are invited on the rule. This 
rule will become effective on the date specified in the DATES section. 
However, after the review of any comments, and if the FAA finds that 
further changes are appropriate, it will initiate rulemaking 
proceedings to amend the regulation or to extend the effective date of 
the rule.
    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 area at Newport News, VA, by 
amending this area's effective hours to coincide with the associated 
control tower's hours of operation. This action also establishes Class 
E airspace in this area when the associated control tower is closed. 
Prior to Airspace Reclassification, an airport traffic area (ATA) and a 
control zone (CZ) existed at this airport. 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 associated 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. This action also establishes Class 
E airspace during the hours the control tower is closed. Additionally, 
this action establishes Class E airspace areas at Lynchburg, VA, 
Manassas, VA, and Wallops Island, VA. Currently, this airspace is 
designated as Class D when the associated control tower is in 
operation. Nevertheless, controlled airspace to the surface is needed 
for IFR operations at Lynchburg, VA, Manassas, VA, and Wallops Island, 
VA, when the control towers are closed. The intended effect of this 
action is to clarify when two-way radio communication with these air 
traffic control towers is required and to provide adequate Class E 
airspace for instrument approach procedures when these control towers 
are closed. As noted in the Airspace Reclassification Final Rule, 
published in the Federal Register on December 17, 1991, airspace at an 
airport with a part-time control tower should be designated as a Class 
D airspace area when the control tower is in operation, and as a Class 
E airspace area when the control tower is closed (56 FR 65645).
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class D and E airspace designations are published in 
Paragraphs 5000 and 6002, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9B dated July 
18, 1994, and effective September 16, 1994, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and E 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 and establish these Class E 
airspace areas in order to promote the safe and efficient handling of 
air traffic in these areas. Therefore, I find that notice and public 
procedures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are impracticable and contrary to the 
public interest.
    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 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 part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. app. 1348(a), 1354(a), 1510; Executive 
Order 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 7400.9B, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated July 18, 1994, and effective September 16, 
1994, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000--General

* * * * *

AEA VA D Newport News, VA [Revised]

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, Newport News, VA
    (Lat. 37 deg.07'55'' N., long. 76 deg.29'35'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Newport News/Williamsburg 
International Airport, excluding the portion that coincides with the 
Hampton Roads, VA, Class D airspace area. 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.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6002--Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area 
for an airport

* * * * *

AEA VA E2 Lynchburg, VA [New]

Lynchburg Municipal-Preston Glenn Field Airport, Lynchburg, VA
    (Lat. 37 deg.19'37'' N., long 79 deg.12'01'' W.)
(Lynchburg VORTAC
    (Lat. 37 deg.15'17'' N., long. 79 deg.14'11'' W.)
Falwell Airport, VA
    (Lat. 37 deg.22'41'' N., long. 79 deg.01'20'' W.)

    Within a 4.5-mile radius of Lynchburg Municipal-Preston Glenn 
Field Airport; and that airspace extending upward from the surface 
within 2.7 miles each side of the Lynchburg VORTAC 020 deg. and 
200 deg. radials extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 1 mile south 
of the VORTAC and within 1.8 miles each side of the Lynchburg VORTAC 
022 deg. radial extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 11.3 miles 
northeast of the VORTAC and excluding the portion within a 0.5-mile 
radius of Falwell Airport. This Class E airspace area is effective 
during the special dates and times established in advance by a 
Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be 
published continuously in the Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *

AEA VA E2 Manassas, VA [New]

Manassas Municipal/Harry P. Davis Airport, Manassas, VA
    (Lat. 38 deg.43'17'' N., long. 77 deg.30'57'' W.)

    Within a 4-mile radius of the center of the Manassas Municipal/
Harry P. Davis Airport, Manassas, VA and within 2.6 miles either 
side of a bearing 025 deg. from the airport extending from the 4-
mile radius to 7.5 miles northeast of the airport, excluding that 
airspace within the Washington Tri-Area Class B airspace area. This 
Class E 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.
* * * * *

AEA VA E2 Wallops Island, VA [New]

NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA
    (Lat. 37 deg.56'30'' N., long. 75 deg.27'44'' W.)
Snow Hill VORTAC
    (Lat. 38 deg.03'24'' N., long. 75 deg.27'50'' W.)

    Within a 4.4-mile radius of NASA Wallops Flight Facility and 
within 1.8 miles each side of the Snow Hill VORTAC 181 deg. radial, 
extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 2.2 miles south of the VORTAC. 
This Class E 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 Jamaica, New York, on August 25, 1994.
John S. Walker,
Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 94-22090 Filed 9-7-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M