[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11989-11990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6318]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98-ASW-18]


Revocation of Class D Airspace; Lubbock Reese AFB, TX, and 
Revision of Class E Airspace; Lubbock, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action revokes the Class D airspace at Lubbock Reese AFB, 
TX, and revises the Class E airspace at Lubbock, TX. Reese AFB has 
closed and the associated NAVAIDS have been decommissioned; therefore, 
Class D and E airspace designated to provide controlled airspace for 
terminal instrument operations is no longer required. This action is 
intended to revoke Class D airspace at Lubbock Reese AFB, TX, and 
revise Class E airspace for aircraft operating under instrument flight 
rules (IFR) in the vicinity of Lubbock International Airport, Lubbock, 
TX.

DATES: Effective: 0901 UTC, June 18, 1998.
    Comment date: Comments must be received on or before April 27, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to Manager, Airspace 
Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Southwest Region, Docket No. 98-ASW-18, Fort Worth, TX 76193-0520.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 
Meacham Boulevard, Room 663, Fort Worth, TX, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 
PM, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An informal docket 
may also be examined during normal business hours at the Airspace 
Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Southwest Region, Room 414, Fort Worth, TX.

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: This amendment to 14 CFR Part 71 revokes the 
Class D airspace at Lubbock Reese AFB, TX, and revises the Class E 
airspace at Lubbock, TX. Reese AFB has closed and the associated 
NAVAIDS have been decommissioned; therefore, Class D and E airspace 
designated to provide controlled airspace for terminal instrument 
operations is no longer required. This action is intended to revoke 
Class D airspace at Lubbock Reese AFB, TX, and revise Class E airspace 
for aircraft operating under IFR in the vicinity of Lubbock 
International Airport, Lubbock, TX. This revocation will avoid 
confusion on the part of the pilots flying near the airport and promote 
the safe and efficient handling of air traffic in the area. This action 
will revoke the Class D airspace at Lubbock Reese AFB, TX, and revise 
the Class E airspace at Lubbock International Airport, Lubbock, TX.
    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 listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the order.
    Class E airspace designations 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 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. 
A substantial number of previous opportunities provided to the public 
to comment on substantially identical actions have resulted in 
negligible adverse comments or objections. 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,

[[Page 11990]]

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 is 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-ASW-18. 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.
    Further, the FAA has determined that this regulation is 
noncontroversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments 
and only involves an established body of technical regulations that 
require frequent and routine amendments to keep them operationally 
current. Therefore, I certify that this 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) 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. Since this rule involves routine matters that will 
only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it does not 
warrant preparation of a regulatory flexibility analysis because the 
anticipated impact is minimal.

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 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; E.O. 10854; 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 comp., p. 389; 14 CFR 11.69.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 
1997, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000: Class D airspace areas

* * * * *

ASW TX D Lubbock Reese AFB, TX [Revoked]

* * * * *

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

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Lubbock, TX [Revised]

Lubbock VORTAC
    (lat. 33 deg.42'18''N., long. 101 deg.54'51''W.)
Lubbock International Airport, TX
    (lat. 33 deg.39'49''N., long. 101 deg.49'22''W.)
Lubbi LOM
    (lat. 33 deg.39'46''N., long. 101 deg.43'24''W.)
Lubbock ILS Localizer
    (lat. 33 deg.38'49''N., long. 101 deg.49'44''W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 17.4-mile radius of Lubbock VORTAC and within 8 miles east 
and 4 miles west of the Lubbock ILS localizer north course extending 
from the 17.4-mile radius to 21.7 miles north of the airport and 
within 8 miles north and 4 miles south of the 090 deg. bearing from 
the Lubbi LOM extending from the 17.4-mile radius to 26 miles east 
of the Lubbock International Airport and within 8 miles north and 4 
miles south of the 111 deg. radial of the Lubbock VORTAC extending 
from the 17.4-mile radius to 26.8 miles southeast of the Lubbock 
VORTAC.
* * * * *
    Issued in Fort Worth, TX on February 26, 1998.
Albert L. Viselli,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 98-6318 Filed 3-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M