[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7740-7741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4208]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-ASW-27]


Proposed Revision of Class E Airspace; Athens, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to revise the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above ground level (AGL) at Athens, TX. A new 
Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) Standard Instrument Approach 
Procedure (SIAP) to Runway (RWY) 35 at Athens Municipal Airport has 
made this proposal necessary. The intended effect of this proposal is 
to provide adequate controlled airspace for aircraft executing the NDB 
SIAP to RWY 35 at Athens Municipal Airport, Athens, TX.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to Manager, 
Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Southwest Region, Docket No. 96-AWS-27, Fort Worth, TX 
76193-0530.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 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 at the Operations Branch, 
Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald J. Day, Operations Branch, Air 
Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, 
Fort Worth, TX 76193-0530; telephone: (817) 222-5593.

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, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 
Communications should identify the airspace docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed under the caption 
ADDRESSES. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their 
comments on this notice must submit, with those comments, a self-
addressed, stamped, postcard containing the following statement: 
``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 96-ASW-27.'' The postcard will be 
date and time stamped and returned to the commenter. 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 the light of comments 
received. All comments submitted will be available for examination in 
the Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, 
TX, 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 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Operations Branch, Air Traffic 
Division, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, Forth 
Worth, TX 76193-0530. Communications must identify the notice number of 
this NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for 
future NPRM's should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A 
that describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise the Class E airspace, 
controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet AGL, at Athens, TX. 
A new NDB SIAP to RWY 35 at Athens Municipal Airport has made this 
proposal necessary. The intended effect of this proposal is to provide 
adequate Class E airspace for aircraft executing the NDB SIAP to RWY 35 
at Athens Municipal Airport, Athens, TX.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Designated Class E airspace areas extending upward 
from 700 feet or more above ground level are published in Paragraph 
6005 of FAA Order 7400.9D, dated September 4, 1996, and effective 
September 16, 1996, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. 
The Class E airspace designation listed in this document would be 
published subsequently in the order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations that need frequent and 
routine amendments 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 no 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 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).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 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. 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.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation, Administration Order 7400.9D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 
1996, is amended as follows:

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

ASW TX E5 Athens, TX [Revised]

Athens Municipal Airport, TX

[[Page 7741]]

    (lat. 32 deg.09'50''N., long. 95 deg.49'42''W.)
Athens, Lochridge Ranch Airport, TX
    (lat. 31 deg.59'22''N., long. 95 deg.57'04''W.)
Crossroads RBN
    (lat. 32 deg.03'49''N., long. 95 deg.57'27''W.)
Athens NDB
    (lat. 32 deg.09'34''N., long. 95 deg.49'49''W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of Athens Municipal Airport and within 2.5 
miles each side of the 177 deg. bearing of the Athens NDB extending 
from the 6.5-mile radius to 7.3 miles south of the Athens Municipal 
Airport and within a 6.5-mile radius of Lochridge Ranch Airport and 
within 4 miles each side of the 356 deg. bearing of the Crossroads 
RBN extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 9.2 miles north of the 
RBN.
* * * * *
    Issued in Forth Worth, TX on February 12, 1997.
Albert L. Viselli,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 97-4208 Filed 2-19-97; 8:45 am]
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