[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 9 (Thursday, January 14, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2449-2450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-853]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 95-AWA-12]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Modification of the Salt Lake City Class B Airspace 
Area; UT

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: This action withdraws the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
published in the Federal Register on August 5, 1998. The FAA proposed 
to reconfigure three existing subarea boundaries in the Salt Lake City 
Class B airspace area to enhance the efficiency of air traffic 
operations. However, recent changes in air traffic control (ATC) 
operational procedures and an ongoing review of Salt Lake City airspace 
indicate that additional changes to the Class B airspace area may be 
necessary. The FAA has formed a Capacity Enhancement Task Force, which 
consists of a group of aviation users in the Salt Lake Valley, to study 
and recommend design changes needed to modernize the current Salt Lake 
City Class B airspace area. Therefore, the FAA has determined that 
withdrawal of the proposed rule is warranted in order to conduct a 
review of the Salt Lake City terminal airspace area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 14, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, 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: On August 5, 1998, an NPRM was published in 
the Federal Register (63 FR 41743) proposing to amend 14 CFR part 71 to 
modify the Salt Lake City, UT, Class B airspace area. Interested 
parties were invited to participate in the rulemaking process by 
submitting written data, views, or arguments regarding the proposal.
    In response to the proposal, the FAA received two comments, one 
from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and one from the National 
Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).
    ALPA, in support of the proposal, stated that the proposed changes 
would be a ``win-win'' for instrument flight rule (IFR) traffic in the 
Class B airspace and for visual flight rule (VFR) traffic preferring to 
operate outside the Class B airspace in the Salt Lake City area. ALPA 
stated that since the reclassification of airspace ``Airport Traffic 
Area'' has been eliminated, there is no need to protect a 5-mile radius 
of the airport. They also stated that because there is no IFR traffic 
east of the airport below 9,000 feet, the area east of the airport 
could be used for VFR aircraft to transit the area east of the 
interstate below 9,000 feet without an ATC clearance. Further, the 
proposed changes should improve safety and efficiency of air traffic 
operations in the area and establish boundaries coincident with the 
Mode C veil.
    NATCA, in opposition to the proposal, stated that recent changes in 
operational procedures, and the potential for an increase in the number 
of nonparticipating aircraft operating

[[Page 2450]]

outside the Class B airspace area, would have a negative impact on the 
positive control services provided to VFR aircraft in the area. They 
also question the suitability of the ``see and avoid concept'' for 
flight in the Salt Lake City area. In addition, NATCA contends that the 
current Class B airspace boundaries should be increased to the east and 
the west instead of reduced; the current ceiling should be raised to 
more accurately reflect current operational practices; and that a full 
review of the Salt Lake City air traffic operational procedures and 
airspace is needed. NATCA stated that a review of the current airspace 
and operational procedures has been initiated by local FAA management 
and NATCA to identify any required modifications needed for the 
continued safe and efficient use of the airspace.
    In consideration of the comments received and the cited review of 
operational changes, the FAA has reexamined the proposal and has 
decided to withdraw the proposal at this time in order to conduct a 
complete review of the Salt Lake City terminal airspace area. The 
recently formed Capacity Enhancement Task Force, consisting of aviation 
users in the Salt Lake Valley, will review the Salt Lake City terminal 
airspace area configuration and recommend operational and design 
changes needed to modernize the current Salt Lake City Class B airspace 
area to the FAA. The FAA will ensure the requirements of all users of 
the Salt Lake City terminal airspace area are considered when reviewing 
the recommendations of the task force before any airspace modifications 
are made.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Withdrawal

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking, Airspace Docket No. 5-AWA-12, as published in the Federal 
Register on August 5, 1998 (63 FR 41743), is hereby withdrawn.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854; 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 8, 1999.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 99-853 Filed 1-13-99; 8:45 am]
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