[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7672-7674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4210]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-ASW-01]


Removal of Class D Airspace; Shreveport Downtown Airport, LA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action removes the Class D airspace at Shreveport 
Downtown Airport, LA. The air traffic control tower at Shreveport 
Downtown Airport closed on December 31, 1995, and no longer provides 
services to aircraft operating at this airport. This action is intended 
to remove the controlled airspace for aircraft operating in the 
vicinity of Shreveport Downtown Airport, LA.


[[Page 7673]]


DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, April 21, 1997.
    Comment date: Comments must be received on or before April 7, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to Manager, 
Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Southwest Region, Docket No. 97-ASW-01, 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, Room 663, Fort Worth, TX, between 9:00 
AM and 3:00 PM, 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, Room 414, Fort Worth, TX.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment to part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) removes the Class D airspace, 
providing controlled airspace for airport operations, located at 
Shreveport Downtown Airport, LA. The closing of the air traffic control 
tower allows removal of the Class D airspace previously required to 
provide adequate controlled airspace for aircraft operating in the 
vicinity of the airport. This removal will avoid confusion on the part 
of the pilots flying near the airport, and promote the safe and 
efficient handling of air traffic in the area. This action will remove 
the Class D airspace at Shreveport Downtown Airport, LA. Class D 
airspace designations are published in Paragraph 5000 of FAA Order 
7400.9D. dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 1996, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR Sec. 71.1. The Class D 
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. 
A substantial number of previous opportunities provided to the public 
to comment on substantially identical actions have resulted in 
negligible adverse comments or objections. Additionally, removal of 
this Class D airspace will result in less restrictive airspace and 
reclassifying airspace to a less restrictive classification usually 
results in less adverse comments. 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 and 
confirming the date on which the final rule will become effective. If 
the FAA does receive, within the comment period, an adverse or negative 
comment, or written notice of intent to submit such a comment, a 
document withdrawing the direct final rule will be published in the 
Federal 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. 97-ASW-01.'' 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 implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    Further, the FAA has determined that this regulation is 
noncontroversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments 
and only involves an established body of technical regulations that 
require frequent and routine amendments to keep them operationally 
current. Therefore, I certify that 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) 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. Since this rule involves routine matters that will 
only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it does not 
warrant preparation of a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis because the 
anticipated impact is so minimal.

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 71 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. app. 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 5000  Class D airspace designated for an airport.

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[[Page 7674]]

ASW LA D Shreveport Downtown Airport, LA [Removed]

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    Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on February 12, 1997.
Albert L. Viselli,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 97-4210 Filed 2-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M