[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27776]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 94-AEA-13]

 

Modification of Class D Airspace Areas; North Philadelphia, PA 
and Willow Grove, PA

agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

action: Final rule; request for comments.

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summary: This action modifies the Class D airspace areas at North 
Philadelphia, PA, and Willow Grove, PA, by amending these area's 
effective hours to coincide with the associated control tower hours of 
operation. This action also reduces the Class D airspace at Willow 
Grove, PA, due to the closure of the Warminster NAWC, PA, Air Traffic 
Control Tower. External dimensions of these Class D airspace areas are 
being reduced and minor changes to the internal boundary between the 
North Philadelphia, PA, and Willow Grove, PA, Class D airspace areas 
are being made. The intended effect of this action is to clarify when 
two way radio communication with these air traffic control towers is 
required.

dates: Effective date. 0901 U.T.C. December 8, 1994.
    Comment date. Comments must be received on or before December 1, 
1994.

addresses: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, AEA-500, Airspace Docket Number 94-AEA-13, 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. The official docket may also be examined in the Office of the 
Assistant Chief Counsel, AEA-7, at the above address.

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 extend the effective date of the rule or to amend the 
regulation.
    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 areas at North Philadelphia, 
PA, by amending the area's effective hours to coincide with the 
associated control tower hours of operation. Prior to Airspace 
Reclassification, an airport traffic area (ATA) and a control zone (CZ) 
existed at these airports. 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 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. Additionally, this action reduces the lateral limits of the 
Willow Grove, PA, Class D airspace area due to the closure of the NAWC 
Warminster, PA Air Traffic Control Tower, and redefines the internal 
boundary between Willow Grove, PA, and North Philadelphia, PA, Class D 
airspace areas. The intended effect of this action is to clarify when 
two way radio communication with these air traffic control towers is 
required.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class D airspace designations are published in 
Paragraph 5000 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 airspace designations listed in this document will be 
published subsequently in the Order. Because this action merely makes 
minor changes to the Class D airspace boundaries, reduces the total 
coverage of Class D airspace, and modifies the effective hours to 
coincide with the existing hours of operation of the associated control 
towers, this is a rule insignificant in nature and impact and in which 
the public is not particularly interested. Therefore, I find that 
notice and public procedures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.
    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. 40103, 40113, 40120; 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 PA D North Philadelphia, PA  [Revised]

Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia, PA
    (lat. 40 deg.04'55''N., long. 75 deg.00'39''W.)
Willow Grove NAS, Willow Grove, PA
    (lat. 40 deg.12'00''N., long. 75 deg.08'53''W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Northeast Philadelphia 
Airport extending clockwise from a 030 deg. bearing to a 252 deg. 
bearing from the airport and within a 5.3-mile radius of the 
Northeast Philadelphia Airport extending clockwise from a 252 deg. 
bearing to a 030 deg. bearing from the airport, excluding that 
portion within the Willow Grove, PA, 4.4-mile radius 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.
* * * * *

AEA PA D Willow Grove, PA  [Revised]

Willow Grove NAS, Willow Grove, PA
    (lat. 40 deg.12'00''N., long. 75 deg.08'53''W.)
Willow Grove TACAN
    (lat. 40 deg.11'40''N., long. 75 deg.08'47''W.)
Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia, PA
    (lat. 40 deg.04'55''N., long. 75 deg.00'39''W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,900 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of Willow Grove NAS 
extending clockwise from a 347 deg. bearing to a 253 deg. bearing 
from the airport and within a 4.8-mile radius of Willow Grove NAS 
extending clockwise from a 253 deg. bearing to a 347 deg. bearing 
from the airport and within 2.6 miles each side of the Willow Grove 
TACAN 136 deg. radial extending from the TACAN to 6.1 miles 
southeast of the TACAN, excluding the southeast extension of the 
Class D airspace area that coincides with the 5.3-mile radius of the 
Class D airspace area at Northeast Philadelphia 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 Jamaica, New York, on October 19, 1994.
James K. Buckles,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 94-27776 Filed 11-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M