[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19396-19397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10301]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-ASO-16]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of the Atlantic High Offshore Airspace Area

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Atlantic High Offshore Airspace Area. 
Specifically, this action extends the southeast boundary of the 
Atlantic High Offshore Airspace Area to coincide with the San Juan 
Combined Center-Radar Approach Control (CERAP) oceanic area of control. 
The FAA is taking this action to facilitate the use of domestic air 
traffic control (ATC) procedures within the extended Atlantic High 
Offshore Airspace Area, thereby enhancing the management of air traffic 
operations and allowing for more efficient use of the airspace.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, June 18, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen E. Crum, Airspace and Rules 
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On November 18, 1997, the FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 71 
(part 71) to modify the Atlantic High Offshore Airspace Area (62 FR 
61458). Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. In 
response to the notice, the FAA received one comment from the Air Line 
Pilots Association supporting this action.
    Except for editorial changes this rule is the same as that proposed 
in the notice. Offshore airspace area designations are published in 
paragraph 2003 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 Offshore airspace area listed in this document will be 
published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 modifies the Atlantic High Offshore 
Airspace Area by extending the southeast boundary of the Atlantic High 
Offshore Airspace Area to coincide with the San Juan CERAP oceanic area 
of control.
    Currently, aircraft transitioning to/from the Bahamas and Caribbean 
areas encounter two different types of airspace and two different sets 
of ATC procedures. Aircraft departing the Miami Air Route Traffic 
Control Center (ARTCC) oceanic control area and transitioning southeast 
to the Bahamas and Caribbean areas encounter airspace which is governed 
by separation standards for International Civil Aviation Organization 
(ICAO) operations until reaching the boundary of the San Juan CERAP 
oceanic control area. The reverse situation applies for aircraft 
departing San Juan CERAP's area of control en route to the boundary for 
the Miami ARTCC area of control.
    This modification allows the application of domestic ATC 
procedures, in the Atlantic High Offshore Airspace Area in lieu of ICAO 
oceanic ATC procedures, thereby enhancing the flow of air traffic and 
allowing for a more efficient use of the airspace area.
    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. 
Therefore 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) 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, when promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the 
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    Because this amendment involves, in part, the modification of 
navigable airspace outside of the United States, the Administrator has 
consulted with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense in 
accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 10854.

[[Page 19397]]

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 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 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 
1997, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2003--Offshore Airspace Areas

* * * * *

Atlantic High [Revised]

    That airspace extending upward from 18,000 feet MSL to and 
including FL 600 within the area bounded on the east from north to 
south by the Moncton FIR, New York Oceanic CTA/FIR, and the San Juan 
Oceanic CTA/FIR; to the point where the San Juan Oceanic CTA/FIR 
boundary turns southwest at lat. 21 deg.08'00''N., long. 
67 deg.45'00'' W., thence from that point southeast via a straight 
line to intersect a 100-mile radius of the Fernando Luis Ribas 
Dominicci Airport at lat. 19 deg.43'08'' N., long. 67 deg.01'17'' 
W., thence counterclockwise via a 100-mile radius of the Fernando 
Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport to lat. 18 deg.54'10'' N., long. 
67 deg.39'43'' W., thence from that point northwest via a straight 
line to intersect the point where the Santo Domingo FIR turns 
northwest at lat. 19 deg.40'00'' N., long. 69 deg.09'00'' W., thence 
from that point the area is bounded on the south from east to west 
by the Santo Domingo FIR, Port-au-Prince CTA/FIR, and the Havana 
CTA/FIR; bounded on the west from south to north by the Houston 
Oceanic CTA/FIR, southern boundary of the Jacksonville Air Route 
Traffic Control Center and a line 12 miles offshore and parallel to 
the U.S. shoreline.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 13, 1998.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 98-10301 Filed 4-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P