[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 34 (Monday, February 22, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8504-8505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4180]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-ACE-8]


Amendment to Class E Airspace; Springfield, MO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace areas at Springfield-
Branson Regional Airport, Springfield, MO. A review of the Class E 
airspace for Springfield-Branson Regional Airport indicates it does not 
comply with the criteria for 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) airspace 
required for diverse departures as specified in FAA Order 7400.2D. The 
area is enlarged to conform to the criteria of FAA Order 7400.2D.
    In addition, the name of the airport has been changed from 
Springfield Regional Airport to Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, 
the Class E airspace areas are revised to indicate a minor revision to 
the Airport Reference Point (ARP) coordinates, and the Springfield-
Branson Regional Airport Localizer and coordinates are included in the 
Class E airspace designations. The intended effect of this rule is to 
provide additional controlled Class E airspace for aircraft operating 
under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), revise the airport name, comply 
with the criteria of FAA Order 7400.2D, revise the ARP coordinates, and 
add the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport Localizer and coordinates.

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, May 20, 1999.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 31, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the rule in triplicate to: Manager, 
Airspace Branch, Air Traffic Division, ACE-520, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Docket Number 99-ACE-8, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas 
City, MO 64106.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Regional 
Counsel for the Central Region at the same address between 9:00 a.m., 
and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    In an informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the Air Traffic Division at the same address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Randolph, Air Traffic Division, 
Airspace Branch, ACE-520C, Federal Aviation Administration, 601 East 
12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone: (816) 426-3408.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment to 14 CFR 71 revises the 
Class E airspace at Springfield, MO. A review of the Class E airspace 
area for Springfield-Branson Regional Airport indicates that it does 
not meet the criteria for 700 feet AGL airspace required for diverse 
departures as specified in FAA Order 7400.2D. The criteria in FAA Order 
7400.2D for an aircraft to reach 1200 feet AGL is based on a standard 
climb gradient of 200 feet per mile plus the distance from the ARP to 
the end of the outermost runway. Any fractional part of a mile is 
converted to the next higher tenth of a mile.
    The amendment at Springfield, MO, will provide additional 
controlled airspace for aircraft operating under IFR, revise the 
airport name, comply with the criteria of FAA Order 7400.2D, revise the 
ARP coordinates and add the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport 
Localizer and coordinates. The areas will be depicted on appropriate 
aeronautical charts.
    Class E airspace areas extending upward from the surface designated 
as an extension to a Class C surface area are published in paragraph 
6003, and Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more 
above the surface of the earth are published in paragraph 6005 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 E 
airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

    The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
or negative comment and, therefore, is issuing it as a direct final 
rule. Previous actions of this nature have not been controversial and 
have not resulted in adverse comments or objections. The amendment will 
enhance safety for all flight operations by designating an area where 
VFR pilots may anticipate the presence of IFR aircraft at lower 
altitudes, especially during inclement weather conditions. A greater 
degree of safety is achieved by depicting the area on aeronautical 
charts. 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 final rule and was not 
preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons 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-related aspects of the rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before

[[Page 8505]]

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. 99-ACE-8.'' 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) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, 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, 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 
1998, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6003  Class E airspace areas extending upward from the 
surface designated as an extension to a Class C surface area.
* * * * *

ACE MO E3  Springfield, MO [Revised]

Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, MO
    (Lat. 37 deg.14'40''N., long. 93 deg.23'13''W.)
Springfield VORTAC
    (Lat. 37 deg.21'22''N., long. 93 deg.20'03''W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.8 miles 
west and 2.2 miles east of the Springfield VORTAC 200 deg. radial 
extending from the 5-mile radius of the Springfield-Branson Regional 
Airport to the VORTAC.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.
* * * * *

ACE MO E5  Springfield, MO [Revised]

Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, MO
    (Lat. 37 deg.14'40''N., long. 93 deg.23'13''W.)
Springfield VORTAC
    (Lat. 37 deg.21'22''N., long. 93 deg.20'03''W.)
Springfield-Branson Regional Localizer
    (Lat. 37 deg.15'21''N., long. 93 deg.22'45''W.)
Willard NDB
    (Lat. 37 deg.17'58''N., long. 93 deg.26'27''W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.7-mile radius of the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport 
and within 3 miles each side of the 020 deg. radial of the 
Springfield VORTAC extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 8 miles 
north of the VORTAC and within 1.8 miles each side of the 324 deg. 
bearing from the Willard NDB, extending from the 6.7 mile radius to 
7 miles northwest of the NDB and within 4 miles each side of the 
Springfield-Branson ILS localizer south course, extending to 14.5 
miles south of the airport.
* * * * *
    Issued in Kansas City, MO, on January 27, 1999.
Christopher R. Blum,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Central Region.
[FR Doc. 99-4180 Filed 2-19-99; 8:45 am]
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