[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 144 (Tuesday, July 28, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40173-40174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20114]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98-ANE-93]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Fitchburg, MA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes a Class E5 airspace area at Fitchburg, 
MA, to provide for adequate controlled airspace for those aircraft 
using the new GPS RWY 32 Instrument Approach Procedure to Fitchburg 
Municipal Airport, Fitchburg, MA (KFIT).

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, October 8, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before August 27, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal to: Manager, Airspace Branch, 
ANE-520, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 98-ANE-93, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7520; fax (781) 238-7596. Comments may also be submitted electronically 
to the following Internet address: ``9-ne-airspace-
[email protected]''. Comments sent electronically must indicate 
Docket No. 98-ANE-93 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 Manager, 
Operations Branch, at the first address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David T. Bayley, Airspace Branch, ANE-
520.3, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7523; fax (781) 238-7596.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A new Standard Instrument Approach Procedure 
(SIAP) to Fitchburg Municipal Airport, Fitchburg, MA, the GPS RWY 32 
approach, requires the establishment of Class E5 airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface in the vicinity of Fitchburg, 
MA. This action will provide adequate controlled airspace for those 
aircraft using the new GPS RWY 13 instrument approach. Class E airspace 
designations for airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface of the earth are published in paragraph 6500 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 
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

[[Page 40174]]

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 person 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 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-93.'' 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.


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 6005  Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward from 700 
Feet or more Above the Surface of the Earth

* * * * *

ANE VT E5  Fitchburg, MA [New]

Fitchburg Municipal Airport, MA
    (lat. 42 deg.33'15'' N, long. 71 deg.45'32'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.4-mile radius of the Fitchburg Municipal Airport; 
excluding that airspace within the Boston, MA, Class E airspace 
area.
* * * * *
    Issued in Burlington, MA, on July 21, 1998.
William C. Yuknewicz,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, New England Region.
[FR Doc. 98-20114 Filed 7-27-98; 8:45 am]
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