[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8562-8563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4313]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98-ANE-91]


Amendment to Class D Airspace; Westfield, MA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action revises the Class D airspace area at Westfield, MA 
(KBAF) to reflect the results of improved airspace computations through 
the use of computer mapping to determine the controlled airspace 
requirements for standard instrument approach procedures to Barnes 
Municipal Airport, Westfield, MA.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, April 23, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule to: Manager, Airspace Branch, ANE-
520, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 98-ANE-91, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7530; fax (781) 238-7596. Comments may also be sent electronically via 
the internet to the following address: ``9 ne [email protected]'' 
Comments sent electronically must indicate Docket 98-ANE-91 in the 
subject line.
    The official docket file may be examined in the Office of the 
Regional Counsel, New England Region, ANE-7, Room 401, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-7050; 
fax (781) 238-7055.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the Air Traffic Division, Room 408, by contacting the Acting 
Manager, Airspace Branch at the first address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David T. Bayley, ANE-502.3, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7523; fax (617) 238-7596.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    The FAA recently performed a review of the controlled airspace in 
the vicinity of Barnes Municipal Airport, Westfield, MA (KBAF), noted a 
need to recompute the airspace requirements to accommodate aircraft 
using the standard instrument approach procedures at that airport. This 
effort utilized computer mapping which resulted in greater accuracy in 
determining the requirements for controlled airspace to accommodate 
aircraft using the RWY 20 HI Alt TACAN and HI Alt ILS instrument 
approaches to Barnes Municipal Airport. This action is needed to revise 
the Class D airspace area at Westfield, MA by increasing slightly the 
base radius of the Class D airspace while eliminating all Class D 
extensions. Class D airspace designations are published in paragraph 
5000 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 D airspace designation contained in this document will be 
published subsequently in this Order.

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

    The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
or negative comment, and, therefore, issues it as a direct final rule. 
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. 
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 direct final rule, and was 
not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, interested persons are 
invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, 
or arguments as they may desire. Communications

[[Page 8563]]

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. 98-ANE-91.'' 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.
    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) does not warrant preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation as 
these routine matters will only affect air traffic procedures and air 
navigation. It is certified that these proposed rules will not have 
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

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

    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 5000  Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ANE MA D  Westfield, MA [Revised]

Westfield, Barnes Municipal Airport, MA
    (Lat. 42 deg.09'28'' N, long. 72 deg.42'56'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,800 feet MSL within a 4.9-mile radius of Barnes Municipal Airport 
excluding that airspace within the Springfield/Chicopee, MA Class D 
airspace area during the dates and times it is effective, and that 
airspace within the Windsor Locks, CT Class C airspace area. This 
Class D airspace 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 Burlington, MA, on February 12, 1998.
William C. Yuknewicz,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, New England Region.
[FR Doc. 98-4313 Filed 2-19-98; 8:45 am]
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