[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18845]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-ASW-27]


Revision of Class E Airspace; Athens, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This section revises the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above ground level (AGL) at Athens, TX. The development 
of a Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) Standard Instrument Approach 
Procedure (SIAP) to Runway (RWY) 35 at Athens Municipal Airport has 
made this action necessary. This action is intended to provide adequate 
Class E airspace to contain instrument flight rule (IFR) operations for 
aircraft executing the NDB SIAP to RWY 35 at Athens, Municipal Airport, 
Athens, TX.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, September 11, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donald J. Day, Airspace Branch, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Fort Worth, TX 76193-0520, telephone 
817-222-5593.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On February 20, 1997, a proposal to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise the Class E airspace at 
Athens, TX, was published in the Federal Register (62 FR 7740). A NDB 
SIAP to RWY 35 developed for Athens Municipal Airport, Athens, TX, 
requires the revision of the Class E airspace at this airport. The 
proposal was to revise the controlled airspace extending upward from 
700 feet AGL to contain IFR operations in controlled airspace during 
portions of the terminal operation and while transitioning between the 
enroute and terminal environments.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
No comments to the proposal were received. The rule is adopted as 
proposed.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class E airspace designations for airspace areas 
extending upward from 700 feet or more AGL 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 will be 
published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 71) amends the Class E airspace located at Athens, TX, to 
provide controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet AGL for 
aircraft executing the NDB SIAP to RWY 35.
    The FAA has determined that this 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 so minimal. Since this is a routine matter that will only 
affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that 
this rule will not have a 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 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
    (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 Fort Worth, TX, on June 23, 1997.
Albert L. Viselli,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 97-18845 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]
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