[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30427-30428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14880]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98-AWA-1]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Revision of the Legal Description of the Memphis Class B 
Airspace Area; Tennessee

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to revise the legal description of the 
Memphis Class B airspace area by changing the point of origin of the 
airspace area from the Memphis Very High Frequency Omnidirectional 
Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid to a 
geographical point in space. The FAA is taking this action due to the 
relocation of the Memphis VORTAC. This proposed action will not change 
the actual dimensions, configuration, or operating requirements of the 
Memphis Class B airspace area. The effective date of this rulemaking 
action would coincide with the relocation of the Memphis VORTAC.

DATE: Comments must be received on or before July 6, 1998.

ADDRESS: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket, AGC-200, Airspace Docket No. 98-AWA-1, 800 Independence Avenue, 
SW, Washington DC 20591. Comments may also be sent electronically to 
the following Internet address: [email protected]. The official 
docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of the Chief 
Counsel, Room 916, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, 
weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. An 
informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at 
the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia P. Crawford, 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:

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 
Communications should identify the airspace docket number and should be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing 
the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must 
submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 98-
AWA-1,'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter. All communications received on or before the specified 
closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on 
the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed 
in light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available 
for examination in the Rules Docket both before and after the closing 
date for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact 
with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will also be filed in 
the docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem 
and suitable communications software from the FAA regulations section 
of the Fedworld electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 703-321-
3339) or the Federal Register's electronic bulletin board service 
(telephone: 202-512-1661).
    Internet users may reach the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov 
or the Federal Register's webpage at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs 
for access to recently published rulemaking documents.
    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Air Traffic Airspace 
Management, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by 
calling (202) 267-8783. Communications must identify the notice number 
of this NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for 
future NPRM's should call the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-
9677 for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking Distribution System, that describes the application 
procedure.

Background

    Due to on-airport expansion, the Memphis VORTAC will be relocated 
approximately 2.85 miles south of its current position. This relocation 
will affect the current Memphis Class B airspace area description. Due 
to this relocation, the FAA is proposing to redefine the legal 
description of the Memphis Class B airspace area with reference to a 
``point in space,'' which is the current geographic location of the 
Memphis VORTAC, as the point of origin.

The Proposal

    The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 (part 71) by revising the 
legal description of the Memphis Class B airspace area. The current 
legal description for the Memphis Class B airspace area utilizes the 
Memphis VORTAC as the point of origin. The Memphis VORTAC will be 
relocated 2.85 nautical miles south of its current location. Due to the 
relocation of this navigational aid, the FAA proposes to revise the 
legal description of the Memphis Class B airspace area by changing the 
point of origin from the Memphis VORTAC to a point in space 
geographical position. The geographical point of origin that will be 
used as part of the proposed legal description will be the old location 
of the navigational aid. This proposed action is a technical amendment 
to the legal description and would not change the actual dimensions, 
configuration, and operating requirements of the Memphis Class B 
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

[[Page 30428]]

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 proposed 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.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class B airspace areas are published in paragraph 
3000 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 B airspace area listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

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 3000--Subpart B-Class B Airspace

* * * * *

ASO TN B Memphis, TN  [Revised]

Memphis International Airport (Primary Airport)
    (lat. 35 deg.02'51'' N., long. 89 deg.58'43'' W.)
Point of Origin
    (lat. 35 deg.03 deg.46'' N., long. 89 deg.58'54'' W.)

Boundaries

    Area A. That airspace extending upward from the surface to and 
including 10,000 feet MSL within a 7-mile arc of the Point of Origin 
extending clockwise from the 075 deg. bearing from the Point of 
Origin to the 275 deg. bearing from the Point of Origin and within a 
5-mile arc of the Point of Origin extending clockwise from the 
275 deg. bearing from the Point of Origin to the 075 deg. bearing 
from the Point of Origin.
    Area B. That airspace extending upward from 1,800 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL within the area bounded by a line 
beginning at the 037 deg. bearing 13-mile position from the Point of 
Origin; thence southward to the 052 deg. bearing 10-mile position 
from the Point of Origin; then clockwise on the 10-mile arc until 
intercepting the 126 deg. bearing from the Point of Origin; then 
extending southward until intercepting the 147 deg. bearing 15-mile 
position from the Point of Origin; thence clockwise on the 15-mile 
arc until intercepting the 211 deg. bearing from the Point of 
Origin; thence northward until intercepting the 226 deg. bearing 11-
mile position from the Point of Origin; thence clockwise on the 11-
mile arc until intercepting the 312 deg. bearing from the Point of 
Origin; thence northbound until intercepting the 321 deg. bearing 
13-mile arc from the Point of Origin; thence clockwise on the 13-
mile arc to the point of beginning and excluding that airspace 
within Area A.
    Area C. That airspace extending upward from 3,000 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL within a 20-mile radius of the Point 
of Origin and excluding that airspace within Areas A and B.
    Area D. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL within a 30-mile radius of the Point 
of Origin, excluding that airspace northwest of a line from the 
295 deg. bearing 30-mile position from the Point of Origin to the 
352 deg. bearing 30-mile position from the Point of Origin, 
excluding that airspace southeast of a line from the 114 deg. 
bearing 30-mile position from the Point of Origin to the 157 deg. 
bearing 30-mile position from the Point of Origin and excluding that 
airspace within Areas A, B, and C.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 28, 1998.
John S. Walker,
Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 98-14880 Filed 6-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P