[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 115 (Thursday, June 15, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31425-31426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14653]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 73

[Airspace Docket No. 93-AWP-8]


Proposed Modification of Restricted Areas R-2303A and R-2303B, 
and Establishment of R-2303C, Fort Huachuca, AZ

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).

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SUMMARY: This supplemental notice proposes to amend special use 
airspace at Fort Huachuca, AZ, as proposed in a prior notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend 
Restricted Area R-2303A to exclude the Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra 
Vista Municipal Airport from the restricted area and provide airspace 
for visual flight rules (VFR) access to the airport when R-2303A is in 
use. Based upon comments received in response to the NPRM the FAA is 
considering increasing the airport exclusion and VFR access to the 
airport by increasing the ceiling from 1,500 feet above ground level 
(AGL) to 7,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) (2,284 AGL). These changes are 
proposed to accommodate increased training requirements and to return 
unneeded special use airspace to the National Airspace System (NAS).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 30, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, AWP-500, Docket No. 93-AWP-8, Federal Aviation 
Administration, P.O. Box 92007, Worldway Postal Center, Los Angeles, CA 
90009.
    The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of 
the Chief Counsel, Room 916, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James R. Robinson, Military Operations 
Program Office (ATM-420), Office of Air Traffic System Management, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, D.C. 20591; telephone: (202) 493-4050.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
and energy-related aspects of the proposal. Communications should 
identify the airspace docket number and be submitted in triplicate to 
the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge 
receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with those 
comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following 
statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 93-AWP-8.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter. Send 
comments on environmental and land use aspects to: Commander, U.S. Army 
Garrison, Attn: Mr. John Murray ATZS-EHB, Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613-6000. 
All communications received on or before the specified closing date for 
comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. 
The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the Rules Docket both before and after the closing date 
for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this Supplemental Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public 
Inquiry Center, APA-220, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591, or by calling (202) 267-3485. Communications must identify the 
notice number of this SNPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a 
mailing list for future NPRM's should also request a copy of Advisory 
Circular No. 11-2A, which describes the application procedure.

Background

    The FAA previously published an NPRM proposing to amend R-2303B by 
relocating the northern boundary 3 miles south of its existing 
position. This would better accommodate hang gliding activity that 
takes place just outside of the northwest corner of existing R-2303B. 
R-2303B would also be subdivided to designate the southeastern section 
as a separate restricted area, R-2303C. This NPRM also proposed to 
lower the floor of R-2303B from 15,000 feet MSL to 8,000 feet MSL, 
excluding that airspace within R-2303A when activated, in order to 
accommodate unmanned aerial vehicle training profiles. This amendment 
of R-2303B prevents the airspace between 8,000 and 15,000 feet within 
the lateral confines of R-2303A from simultaneously being reflected in 
both restricted areas, R-2303A and R-2303B. The ceiling of R-2303B 
would be lowered from FL 450 to FL 300. The U.S. Army has determined 
that there is no longer a requirement for restricted airspace above FL 
300, therefore, that airspace would be returned to the NAS. Lastly, the 
times of designation for R-2303A and R-2303B would be reduced from 
``Monday-Saturday, 0700-1600 local time; other times by NOTAM at least 
24 hours in advance,'' to ``Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other 
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.''
    Activation of R-2303C would be intermittent by NOTAM at least 24 
hours in advance. Designation of R-2303C is proposed to accommodate 
hang gliding activities that occur just outside of the southeastern 
corner of existing R-2303B. [[Page 31426]] 

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to part 73 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 73) to amend R-2303A, R-2303B, and 
establish R-2303C at Fort Huachuca, AZ. The FAA published an earlier 
NPRM concerning these restricted areas on July 21, 1994 (59 FR 37188). 
As a result of comments received in response to the NPRM, the FAA is 
considering increasing the ceiling of the airport exclusion and VFR 
access corridor at the Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport. R-
2303A would be amended to exclude from the restricted area the airspace 
from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL, within a 3-nautical-mile radius of 
the Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport. The 
airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within 1-nautical-mile 
either side of U.S. Highway 90 would also be excluded. This would 
provide VFR access to the airport when R-2303A is in use. Comments 
received in response to the NPRM and this SNPRM will be addressed in 
the final disposition of the rule. The coordinates for this airspace 
docket are based on North American Datum 83. Section 73.23 of part 73 
of the Federal Aviation Regulations was republished in FAA Order 
7400.8B dated March 9, 1994.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed 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, when promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the 
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    An environmental review of the proposal will be conducted by the 
U.S. Army and the FAA prior to an FAA final decision on the proposal. 
The results of the review will be addressed in any subsequent 
rulemaking action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 73 as proposed in the 
Federal Register on July 21, 1994, (59 FR 37188; July 21, 1994) as 
follows:

PART 73--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 73 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 
9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 14 CFR 
11.69.

    2. Section 73.23 is amended as follows:


Sec. 73.23  [Amended]

R-2303A Fort Huachuca, AZ [Revised]

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.40'40'' N., long. 
110 deg.11'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.08'32'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.22'02'' W.; to lat. 
31 deg.33'00'' N., long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' 
N., long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., long. 
110 deg.41'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.43'32'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.38'30'' N., long. 110 deg.42'02'' W.; to lat. 
31 deg.38'30'' N., long. 110 deg.39'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00'' 
N., long. 110 deg.33'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00'' N., long. 
110 deg.12'02'' W.; to the point of beginning.

Altitudes. Surface to 15,000 feet MSL, excluding the airspace from 
the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within a 3-nautical-mile radius of the 
Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport, AZ, and 
excluding the airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within 1-
nautical-mile either side of U.S. Highway 90.
Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other 
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.
Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC.
Using agency. U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
R-2303B Fort Huachuca, AZ [Revised]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.45'00'' N., long. 
110 deg.20'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00''N., long. 110 deg.12'02'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.40'40'' N., long. 110 deg.11'02'' W.; to lat. 
31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.08'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' 
N., long. 110 deg.22'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.33'00'' N., long. 
110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., long. 110 deg.23'02'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat. 
31 deg.24'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00'' 
N., long. 110 deg.45'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.45'00'' N., long. 
110 deg.45'52'' W.; to the point of beginning.

Altitudes. 8,000 feet MSL to FL 300, excluding that airspace within 
R-2303A when activated.
Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other 
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.
Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC.
Using agency, U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.

R-2303C Fort Huachuca, AZ [New]

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.35'00'' N., long. 
110 deg.00'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00'' N., long. 110 deg.00'02'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat. 
31029'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., 
long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.33'00'' N., long. 
110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.22'02'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.08'32'' W.; to lat. 
31 deg.40'40'' N., long. 110 deg.11'02'' W.; to the point of 
beginning.

Altitudes. 15,000 feet MSL to FL 300.
Time of designation. Intermittent by NOTAM at least 24 hours in 
advance.
Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC. Using agency. U.S. Army 
Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 7, 1995.
Harold W. Becker,
Manager, Airspace--Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.
[FR Doc. 95-14653 Filed 6-14-95; 8:45 am]
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