[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52996-52997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26441]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98-AEA-37]


Proposed Removal of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace; Rome, 
NY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to remove Class D airspace and Class E 
airspace at Rome, NY. The air traffic control tower for Griffiss 
Airfield, Rome, NY, has been closed. Therefore, the required criteria 
for Class D airspace is no longer being met. The removal of the Class D 
airspace will also cause the removal of the Class E airspace extensions 
to the Class D airspace. Adoption of this proposal would result in the 
affected areas reverting to Class G airspace.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, 
Airspace Branch, AEA-520, Docket No. 98-AEA-37, F.A.A. Eastern Region, 
Federal Building #111, John F. Kennedy Int'l Airport, Jamaica, NY 
11430.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Regional 
Counsel, AEA-7, F.A.A. Eastern Region, Federal Building #111, John F. 
Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, New York 11430.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the Airspace Branch, AEA-520, F.A.A. Eastern Region, Federal 
Building #111, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY 
11430.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
F.A.A. Eastern Region, Federal Building #111, John F. Kennedy 
International Airport, Jamaica, New York 11430; telephone: (718) 553-
4521.

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, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 
Communications should identify the airspace docket number and 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-
AEA-37.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter. All communications received on or before the 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 
the FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Office of the Regional Counsel, 
AEA-7, F.A.A. Eastern Region, Federal Building #111, John F. Kennedy 
International Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430. Communications must identify 
the notice number of this NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a 
mailing list for future NPRMs should also request a copy of Advisory 
Circular No. 11-2A, which describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA proposes to amend Part 71 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14

[[Page 52997]]

CFR Part 71) to remove Class D airspace and Class E airspace at 
Griffiss Airfield, Rome, NY. The required criteria for Class D airspace 
is no longer being met. The control tower for Griffiss Airfield has 
been closed, negating the need for the airspace. The removal of Class D 
airspace will also cause the removal of the Class E airspace extensions 
to the Class D airspace. Class D airspace designations are published in 
paragraph 5000, and Class E airspace designations for airspace 
designated as an extension to Class D surface area are published in 
Paragraph 6004, of FAA Order 7400.9F, dated September 10, 1998, and 
effective September 16, 1998, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E airspace designations listed in this 
document will be removed subsequently from the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this proposed 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 would only affect air traffic procedures 
and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed rule would 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).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 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 7400.9F, dated September 10, 1998, and 
effective September 16, 1998, is proposed to be amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000  Class D airspace.

* * * * *

AEA NY D Rome, NY [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6004  Class E airspace areas designated as an extension 
to a Class D surface area.

* * * * *

AEA NY E-4 Rome, NY [Removed]

* * * * *
    Issued in Jamaica, New York, on September 22, 1998.
Franklin D. Hatfield,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Eastern Region.
[FR Doc. 98-26441 Filed 10-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M