[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 36 (Thursday, February 23, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10013-10014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4439]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 94-AGL-23]
Establishment of Class D Airspace; Akron-Canton, OH
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class D airspace at Akron-Canton
Regional Airport, Akron, Ohio. Currently, the airspace at Akron-Canton
Regional Airport is designated as Class C airspace. During certain
periods of time, the Akron-Canton Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)
radar approach control facility is not operational. However, the ATCT
at Akron-Canton Regional Airport is full-time. The intended effect of
this proposal is to provide accurate reference to Class D airspace at
Akron-Canton Regional Airport.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, May 25, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeffrey L. Griffith, Air Traffic Division, System Management Branch,
AGL-530, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des
Plaines, Illinois 60018, telephone (708) 294-7568.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On August 24, 1994, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to establish Class D
airspace at Akron-Canton Regional Airport, Akron, Ohio (59 FR 43517).
Currently, the airspace at Akron-Canton Regional Airport is
designated as Class C airspace. During certain period of time, the
Akron-Canton ATCT radar approach control facility is not operational
and traffic is re-routed to Cleveland ARTCC during those times.
However, the ATCT at Akron-Canton Regional Airport is full-time. The
intended effect of this proposal is to correctly reference Class D
airspace in aeronautical maps and charts. This action does not change
the existing method of handling air traffic operations at Akron-Canton
ATCT.
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA.
Eight (8) letters of objection were received in response to the
proposal. These objections were based on concerns for safety. The
following concerns were raised:
1. Establishing Class D airspace at Akron, Ohio would jeopardize
safety at Akron-Canton Regional Airport for air traffic operations
during the hours that Class D airspace would be in effect. VFR traffic
should be separated from IFR traffic.
2. Within the Weather Bureau closing, the airport would be
unattended for the hours of Class D operation (midnight to 6:00 a.m.
local time) and therefore there would be no controllers at the ATCT to
observe and instruct snow removal from the runways during these times.
This was of concern to the commenter because the airport is in the snow
belt of Lake Erie.
3. Akron-Canton ATCT needs more controllers to handle the existing
and increasing traffic so as not to jeopardize the continued growth of
Akron-Canton Regional Airport.
All of these comments were considered and evaluated. They are
responded to as follows:
1. There is no change to the existing method of handling air
traffic operations at Akron-Canton Regional Airport. Class D airspace
has existed at Akron-Canton Regional Airport for several years;
however, it is not correctly indicated on aeronautical maps and charts.
During [[Page 10014]] this time period of Class D operations, there has
been no derogation of safety. The purpose of this docket is to initiate
action to reference correctly Class D airspace in aeronautical
directories and charts.
2. Responding to the issue of the airport being closed for snow
removal, changing aeronautical maps and charts to reflect existing
airspace will not impact the length of time that the airport would be
closed for snow removal. The City of Akron, OH is responsible to remedy
airport conditions caused by inclement weather. Comments regarding
actions taken for snow removal at the airport can be directed to the
City of Akron airport authorities. This comment addresses issues beyond
the scope of the action proposed in this notice.
3. Implementation of the proposal on Class D airspace will not
affect staffing at the Akron-Canton ATCT. Accordingly, the comment
regarding staffing is beyond the scope of this notice.
A minor modification has been made to the legal description from
that shown in the notice to exclude the airspace within the Akron-
Canton Regional Airport Class C airspace area. This modification is
required in accordance with new guidelines.
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 designation listed in this document will be
published subsequently in the Order.
The Rule
This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations
establishes Class D airspace at Akron-Canton Regional Airport, Akron,
Ohio during certain periods of time when the Akron-Canton ATCT radar
approach control facility is not in operation. Currently, the airspace
at Akron-Canton Regional Airport is designated as Class C airspace
only. The intended effect of this proposal is to provide reference to
Class D airspace to maintain the two-way radio communications
requirements when the radar approach control facility is not in
operation at the airport. This action does not change the existing
method of handling traffic but will allow for action to be taken to
correctly reference the airspace in aeronautical directories and
charts.
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 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 7400.9B, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated July 18, 1994, and effective September 16,
1994, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 General
* * * * *
AGL OH D Akron-Canton, OH [New]
(Lat. 40 deg.54'59'' N., Long. 81 deg.26'32'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3700 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of the Akron-Canton Regional
Airport, excluding that airspace within the Akron-Canton Regional
Airport, OH Class C 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 published in the Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *
Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on February 9, 1995.
Roger Wall,
Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 95-4439 Filed 2-22-95; 8:45 am]
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