[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6771-6772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3863]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 95-ANE-61]


Amendment to Class E Airspace; Worcester, MA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment establishes Class E airspace at Worcester, MA 
(ORH). With the commissioning of the Automated Surface Observation 
System (ASOS) at the Worcester Municipal Airport, weather reporting is 
now continuously available at that airport. This action is necessary to 
establish controlled airspace extending upward from the surface for 
aircraft operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) to and from the 
Worcester Municipal Airport during the times when the air traffic 
control tower is closed.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, April 25, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Raymond Duda, System Management Branch, ANE-533, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 238-7533; 
fax (617) 238-7596.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On December 20, 1995, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to establish a Class E 
surface 

[[Page 6772]]
area at the Worcester Municipal Airport, Worcester, MA (ORH). Since the 
air traffic control tower (ATCT) at Worcester does not operate 
continuously, aircraft operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) to 
and from Worcester did not have the benefit of weather reports from the 
airport during the times when the tower is closed. That lack of 
continuous weather reporting required that the controlled airspace for 
Worcester could not extend to the surface. Recently, however, an 
Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) was commissioned at 
Worcester, making weather reporting now available continuously. As 
result, this action is necessary to establish controlled airspace 
extending from the surface for those aircraft operating to and from 
Worcester under IFR during the times when the ATCT is closed.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One comment 
was received from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 
Charting Division which noted a typographic error in the description of 
the airspace as published. The FAA has corrected that error. Class E 
airspace designations for airspace areas extending upward from the 
surface of the earth in the vicinity of airports are published in 
paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9C, dated August 17, 1995, and 
effective September 16, 1995, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document 
would be published subsequently in this Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 71) establishes Class E airspace at ORH. 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. Therefore this regulation 
(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 will be so minimal. Since this routine matter will only affect 
air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this 
rule will not have 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. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9C, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16, 
1995, is amended as follows:

Subpart E--Class E Airspace

* * * * *

Paragraph 6002  Class E surface areas extending upward from the 
surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ANE MA E2 Worcester, MA [New]

Worcester Municipal Airport, MA
    (Lat. 42 deg.16'02''N, long. 71 deg.52'32''W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.2-
mile radius of Worcester Municipal Airport. This Class E airspace 
area is effective during the specific dates and times established in 
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective dates and times will 
thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility 
Directory.
* * * * *
    Issued in Burlington, MA, on February 13, 1996.
Eileen Seaman,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, New England Region.
[FR Doc. 96-3863 Filed 2-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M