[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2136-2137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-868]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-ASO-23]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; St. Elmo, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment establishes Class E airspace at St. Elmo, AL. A 
Global Positioning System (GPS) Runway (RWY) 6 Standard Instrument 
Approach Procedure (SIAP) has been developed for St. Elmo Airport. As a 
result, controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground 
Level (AGL) is needed to accommodate the SIAP and for Instrument Flight 
Rules (IFR) operations at St. Elmo Airport. The operating status of the 
airport will change from Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to include IFR 
operations concurrent with publication of the SIAP.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, February 26, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy B. Shelton, Airspace Branch, Air 
Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-5586.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On October 31, 1997, the FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 71 by 
establishing Class E airspace at St. Elmo, AL (62 FR 58930). This 
action would provide adequate Class E airspace for IFR operations at 
St. Elmo Airport. Designations for Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth are published in 
Paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9E, dated September 10, 1997, and 
effective September 16, 1997, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR part 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document 
will be published subsequently in the Order.

[[Page 2137]]

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
No comments objecting to the proposal were received.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 establishes Class E airspace at 
St. Elmo, AL. Additionally, this rule makes a technical amendment to 
the legal description of the airspace area by adding words that exclude 
an adjacent Class E airspace area. A GPS RWY 6 SIAP has been developed 
for St. Elmo Airport. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 
feet AGL is needed to accommodate the SIAP and for IFR operations at 
St. Elmo Airport. The operating status of the airport will change from 
VFR to include IFR operations concurrent with publication of this SIAP.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary 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--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D AND 
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR Part 71 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; EO 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 
1997, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

ASO AL E5  St. Elmo, AL [New]

St. Elmo Airport, AL
    [Lat. 30 deg.30'09'' N, long 88 deg.16'25'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the 
surface within a 6.4-mile radius of St. Elmo Airport, excluding that 
airspace within the Mobile, AL, Class E airspace area.
* * * * *
    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on December 11, 1997.
Nancy B. Shelton,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southern Region.
[FR Doc. 98-868 Filed 1-13-98; 8:45 am]
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