[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 178 (Thursday, September 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22902]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 15, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 94-AEA-11]

 

Modification of Class D Airspace and Establishment of Class E 
Airspace; Various Locations, State of West 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 Martinsburg, 
WV and Parkersburg, WV, by amending the areas' effective hours to 
coincide with the associated control tower's hours of operation. This 
action also establishes Class E airspace in these areas when the 
associated control tower is closed. Additionally, this action modifies 
the Class E airspace area at Bluefield, WV. Controlled airspace to the 
surface is needed only when the flight service station at this location 
is open. 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 approaches.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 U.T.C. December 8, 1994.
    Comement 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-11, F.A.A. 
Eastern Region, Fitzgerald Federal Building #111, John F. Kennedy 
International Airport, Jamaica, New York 11430. The official and the 
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 that might suggest the need to modify the rule.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulatqions (14 
CFR part 71) modifies the Class D airspace areas at Martinsburg, WV and 
Parkersburg, WV, by amending the areas effective hours to coincide with 
the associated control tower's hours of operation. This action also 
establishes Class E airspace in these areas 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 modifies the Class E airspace area at 
Bluefield, WV. Currently, this airspace is designated continuously as 
Class E extending upward from the surface of the earth. Nevertheless, 
controlled airspace to the surface is not needed when the flight 
service station is 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 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 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 WV D Martinsburg, WV [Revised]

Eastern West Virginia Regional/Shepherd Field Airport, Martinsburg, 
WV
    (Lat 39 deg.24'07'' N., long. 77 deg.59'05'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,100 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Eastern West Virginia 
Regional/Shepherd Field 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.
* * * * *

AEA WV D Parkersburg, WV [Revised]

Wood County Airport-Gill Wilson Field, Parkersburg, WV
    (Lat 39 deg.20'42'' N., long. 81 deg.26'21'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,400 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Wood County Airport-Gill 
Robb Wilson Field. 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 WV E2 Bluefield, WV [Revised]

Mercer County Airport, Bluefield, WV
    (Lat 37 deg.17'45'' N., long. 81 deg.12'27'' W.)
Bluefield VORTAC
    (Lat 37 deg.18'23'' N., long. 81 deg.11'39'' W.)

    Within a 3.9-mile radius of Mercer County Airport and within 2.7 
miles each side of the Bluefield VORTAC 047 deg. radial extending 
from the 3.9-mile radius to 8.3 miles northeast 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.
* * * * *

AEA WV E2 Martinsburg, WV [New]

Eastern West Virginia Regional/Shepherd Field Airport, Martinsburg, 
WV
    (Lat 39 deg.24'07'' N., long. 77 deg.59'05'' W.)

    Within a 4.2-mile radius of Eastern West Virginia Regional/
Shepherd Field Airport. 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 WV E2 Parkersburg, WV [New]

Wood County Airport-Gill Robb Wilson Field, Parkersburg, WV
    (Lat 39 deg.20'42'' N., long. 81 deg.26'21'' W.)

    Within a 4.20-mile radius of Wood County Airport-Gill Robb 
Wilson Field. 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. 94-22902 Filed 9-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M