[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 164 (Monday, August 25, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44919-44921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22502]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-AGL-34]


Proposed Modification of the Legal Description of Class D 
Airspace; St. Paul, MN, St. Paul Downtown Holman Field

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to change the legal description of the 
Class D airspace area at St. Paul Downtown Holman Field (STP), St. 
Paul, NM. The existing legal description of the airspace area 
establishes the vertical limit of the airspace at 3,200 feet Mean Sea 
Level (MSL), excluding that airspace within

[[Page 44920]]

the Minneapolis (MSP), MN, Class B airspace area; however, all airspace 
from 3,000 MSL to 3,200 MSL inclusive within the lateral boundaries of 
the STP Class D airspace area is part of the MSP Class B airspace area. 
Consequently, no portion of the STP Class D airspace area actually 
exists at or above 3,000 MSL. This action only proposes to change the 
legal description of the STP Class D airspace area to reflect the 
actual existing vertical limit of the airspace. This action does not 
propose to change the actual dimensions of operating requirements of 
that airspace. The intended effect of this action would be to eliminate 
a potential source of confusion.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel AGL-7, 
Rules Docket No. 97-AGL-34, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois 60018.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, 
Des Plaines, Illinois. An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the Air Traffic Division, Operations Branch, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle M Behm, Air Traffic Division, 
Airspace Branch, AGL-520, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East 
Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, telephone (847) 294-7568.

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 above. Commenters wishing 
the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must 
submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 97-
AGL-34.'' The postcard will be date/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 light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available 
for examination in the Rules Docket, FAA, Great Lakes Region, Office of 
the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois, 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 the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, 
Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-230, 
800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 
267-3484. 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, which 
describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise the legal description 
of the STP Class D airspace area at St. Paul, MN. The existing legal 
description of the STP Class D airspace area establishes the vertical 
limit of the airspace at 3,200 MSL, but specifically excludes that 
airspace which coincides with the MSP Class B airspace area. However, 
at no point within the lateral boundaries of the STP Class D airspace 
area is the floor of the MSP Class B airspace higher than 3,000 MSL. 
Consequently, the highest vertical limit of the STP Class D airspace 
area is up to, but does not include, 3,000 MSL. The published 3,200 MSL 
vertical limit, therefore, does not reflect the true vertical limit of 
the airspace, and may serve as a source of confusion for pilots. This 
action proposes to revise the legal description of the STP Class D 
airspace area to reflect the actual existing vertical limit of the 
airspace. The intended effect of this action would be to eliminate a 
potential source of confusion. The area would be depicted on 
appropriate aeronautical charts. Class D airspace designations for 
specified airspace within which all aircraft operators are subject to 
operating rules and equipment requirements of Part 91 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 91.129) 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 71.1. The Class D 
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 for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore this, proposed 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 is so minimal. Since 
this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic procedures 
and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed 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).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal 
Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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.


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

* * * * *

AGL MN D St. Paul, MN [Revised]

St. Paul Downtown Holman Field, MN

[[Page 44921]]

    (Lat. 44 deg.56'04'' N, long. 93 deg.03'36'' W)

South St. Paul Municipal Richard E. Fleming Field, MN
    (Lat. 44 deg.51'26'' N, long. 93 deg.01'59'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to, but not 
including, 3,000 feet MSL, within a 4.1-mile radius of St. Paul 
Downtown Holman Field, excluding that airspace within the 
Minneapolis, MN, Class B airspace area, and excluding the area 
within a 1-mile radius of the South St. Paul Municipal Richard E. 
Fleming Field. This Class D 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 Des Plaines, Illinois on August 4, 1997.
Maureen Woods,
Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 97-22502 Filed 8-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M