[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 6, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40717-40718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20005]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 152 / Tuesday, August 6, 1996 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 40717]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. 96-ACE-12]


Amendment to Class E Airspace, Knob Noster, MO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action amends the Class E airspace area at Whiteman AFB, 
Knob Noster, MO. A review of military Standard Instrument Approach 
Procedures (SIAP) requires an increase in the size of controlled 
airspace from 6 miles to 7 miles in order to contain Instrument Flight 
Rules (IFR) operations at Whiteman AFB. The effect of this rule is to 
provide additional controlled airspace for aircraft executing the SIAPs 
at Whiteman AFB.

DATES: Effective date: December 5, 1996.
    Comment date: Comments must be received on or before September 20, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the rule in triplicate to: Manager, 
Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, ACE-530, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Docket Number 96-ACE-12, 601 East 12th St., Kansas 
City, MO 64106.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel for the Central Region at the same address between 9:00 
a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the Air Traffic Division at the same address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Randolph, Air Traffic Division, 
Operations Branch, ACE-530C, Federal Aviation Administration, 601 East 
12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone: (816) 426-3408.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has reviewed the controlled airspace 
at Whiteman AFB, Knob Noster, MO. The existing 6-mile radius area is 
not sufficient to contain IFR operations at Whiteman AFB. The amendment 
to Class E airspace at Knob Noster, MO, will provide additional 
controlled airspace to segregate aircraft operating under Visual Flight 
Rules (VFR) from aircraft operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) 
procedures while arriving or departing the airport. The area will be 
depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts thereby enabling pilots to 
either circumnavigate the area, continue to operate under VFR to and 
from the airport, or otherwise comply with IFR procedures. Class E 
airspace areas extending from 700 feet or more above the surface of the 
earth are published in paragraph 6005 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 will be published subsequently in 
the order.

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

    The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
or negative comment and, therefore, is issuing it as a direct final 
rule. Previous actions of this nature have not been controversial and 
have not resulted in adverse comments or objections. The amendment will 
enhance safety for all flight operations by designating an area where 
VFR pilots may anticipate the presence of IFR aircraft at lower 
altitudes, especially during inclement weather conditions. A greater 
degree of safety is achieved by depicting the area on aeronautical 
charts. Unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a written 
notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment is received 
within the comment period, the regulation will become effective on the 
date specified above. After the close of the comment period, the FAA 
will publish a document in the Federal Register indicating that no 
adverse or negative comments were received, confirming the date on 
which the final rule will become effective. If the FAA does receive an 
adverse or negative comment within the comment period, or written 
notice of intent to submit such a comment, a document withdrawing the 
direct final rule will be published in the Federa Register, and a 
notice of proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment 
period.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn in light of 
the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA/public contact concerned with the substance of this 
action will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 96-ACE-12.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Agency Findings

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism

[[Page 40718]]

implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and 
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For the reasons 
discussed in the preamble, I certify that this regulation (1) is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is 
not a ``significant rule'' under Department of Transportation (DOT) 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, 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

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 71 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 14 CFR 11.69.


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:

Paragraph 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ACE MO E5 Knob Noster, MO [Revised]

Knob Noster, Whiteman AFB, MO
    (lat. 38 deg.43'49'' N., long. 93 deg.32'53'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Whiteman AFB and within 1.8 miles each 
side of the Whiteman ILS localizer south course, extending from the 
7-mile radius to 9.7 miles south of the AFB.
* * * * *
    Issued in Kansas City, MO, on July 23, 1996.
Jack L. Skelton,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division Central Region.
[FR Doc. 96-20005 Filed 8-5-96; 8:45 am]
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