[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2887-2888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1230]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-ACE-32]


Amendment to Class E Airspace; Columbus, NE

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the description of Class E airspace area at 
Columbus, NE. The current description indicates part-time operation for 
the Class E airspace area for Columbus Municipal Airport, Columbus, NE. 
The actual hours of operation for the Class E airspace area are 
continuous. The Class E airspace area description at Columbus, NE, is 
revised to indicate that the area is in effect continuously. The 
intended effect of this amendment is to indicate that the Class E 
airspace area is in effect continuously and to facilitate separation of 
aircraft operations under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). An editorial 
revision to reflect a change in the Airport Reference Point (ARP) is 
included.

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, April 20, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before February 19, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the rule in triplicate to: Manager, 
Airspace Branch, Air Traffic Division, ACE-520, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Docket Number 97-ACE-32, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas 
City, MO 64106.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Regional 
Counsel for the Central Region at the same address 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 in the Air Traffic Division at the same address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathy Randolph, Air Traffic Division, Airspace Branch, ACE-520C, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 
64106; telephone: (816) 426-3408.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 (part 71) 
to revise the description of the Class E airspace area at Columbus, NE, 
by removing the statement which indicates part-time status. The Class E 
airspace area description does not reflect the actual hours of 
operation, which are continuous. This action will correct the 
description for Class E airspace area at Columbus, NE. The ARP 
coordinates have been revised. The area is depicted on appropriate 
aeronautical charts. Class E airspace surface areas are published in 
paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9E, dated September 10, 1997, and 
effective September 16, 1997, 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 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. Previous actions of this nature have not been controversial and 
have not resulted in adverse comments or objections. The amendment will 
enhance safety for all flight operations by designating an area where 
VFR pilots may anticipate the presence of IFR aircraft at lower 
altitudes, especially during inclement weather conditions. A greater 
degree of safety is achieved by depicting the area on aeronautical 
charts. 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, aeronautical, environmental, and energy-related 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-ACE-32.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

[[Page 2888]]

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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and 
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For the reasons 
discussed in the preamble, I certify that this regulation (1) is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is 
not a ``significant rule'' under Department of Transportation (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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, 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 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 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 6002  Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area 
for an airport

* * * * *

ACE NE E2  Columbus, NE [Revised]

Columbus Municipal Airport, NE
    (Lat 41 deg.26'52''N., long. 97 deg.20'24''W.)
Columbus VOR/DME
    (Lat 41 deg.27'00''N., long. 97 deg.20'27''W.)

    Within a 4-mile radius of Columbus Municipal Airport and within 
2.6 miles each side of the 157 deg. radial of the Columbus VOR/DME 
extending from the 4-mile radius to 8.7 miles southeast of the VOR/
DME and within 2.6 miles each side of the 317 deg. radial of the 
Columbus VOR/DME extending from the 4-mile radius to 7.4 miles 
northwest of the VOR/DME and within 3.5 miles each side of the 
360 deg. bearing from the Columbus Municipal Airport extending from 
the 4-mile radius to 10.5 miles northwest of the airport.
* * * * *
    Issued in Kansas City, MO, on November 13, 1997.
Christopher R. Blum,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division Central Region.
[FR Doc. 98-1230 Filed 1-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M