[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 3, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10238-10239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5252]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-AGL-13]


Proposed Modification of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace; 
Rochester, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to modify Class D airspace and Class E 
airspace at Rochester, MN. This action would correct technical errors 
in the legal descriptions of the Class D airspace and the Class E 
airspace extension to the Class D airspace for Rochester International 
Airport, and amend the Class E surface area for the airport to include 
the Class E airspace extension. The purpose of these actions is to make 
technical corrections to the airspace legal descriptions in order to 
make the Class D airspace and Class E airspace for the airport 
consistent with each other, and to provide adequate controlled airspace 
for instrument approach procedures when the airport traffic control 
tower (ATCT) is closed.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, AGL-7, 
Rules Docket No. 99-AGL-13, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois 60018.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, 
Des Plaines, Illinois. An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the Air Traffic Division, Airspace Branch, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle M. Behm, Air Traffic 
Division, Airspace Branch, AGL-520, Federal Aviation Administration, 
2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, telephone (847) 
294-7568.

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 be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing 
the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their

[[Page 10239]]

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. 99-AGL-13.'' 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, FAA, Great Lakes Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois, both before and after 
the closing date for comments. A report summarizing each substantive 
public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will 
be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, 
Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-230, 
800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 
267-3484. Communications must identify the notice number of this NPRM. 
Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's 
should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, which 
describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to modify 
Class D and associated Class E airspace at Rochester, MN, by making 
technical corrections to the legal description of the Class D airspace 
and the Class E airspace extension to the Class D airspace for 
Rochester International Airport, and by amending the Class E surface 
area for the airport to include the Class E extension to the surface 
area. Controlled airspace extending upward from the surface is needed 
to contain aircraft executing instrument approach procedures. The area 
would be depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts. Class D airspace 
designations are published in paragraph 5000, Class E air space 
designated as an extension to a Class D surface area are published in 
paragraph 6004, and Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area 
for an airport are published in paragraph 6002 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 would be published 
subsequently in that Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an establishment 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 will only affect air traffic procedures 
and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed rule will not 
have a 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

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal 
Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 
1998, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000  Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AGL MN D  Rochester, MN [Revised]

Rochester International Airport, MN
    (Lat. 43 deg. 54' 32''N., long. 92 deg. 29' 53''W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,800 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of the Rochester 
International Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective 
during the specific dates and times established in advance by a 
Notice to Airman. The effective date and time will thereafter be 
continuously published in the Airport/facility Directory.
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

AGL MN E4  Rochester, MN [Revised]

Rochester International Airport, MN
    (Lat. 43 deg. 54' 32''N., long. 92 deg. 29' 53''W.)
Rochester VOR/DME
    (Lat. 43 deg. 46' 58''N., long. 92 deg. 35' 49''W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3.1 miles 
each side of the Rochester VOR/DME 028 deg. radial extending from 
the 4.2-mile radius of the Rochester International Airport to 7.0 
miles southwest of the airport. This Class E airspace area is 
effective during the specific dates and times established in advance 
by a Notice to Airman. The effective date and time will thereafter 
be continuously published in the Airport/facility Directory.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6002  Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area 
for an airport.

* * * * *

AGL MN E2  Rochester, MN [Revised]

Rochester International Airport, MN
    (Lat. 43 deg. 54' 32''N., long. 92 deg. 29' 53''W.)
Rochester VOR/DME
    (Lat. 43 deg. 46' 58''N., long. 92 deg. 35' 49''W.)

    Within a 4.2-mile radius of the Rochester International Airport 
and within 3.1 miles each side of the Rochester VOR/DME 028 deg. 
radial extending from the 4.2-mile radius of the Rochester 
International Airport to 7.0 miles southwest of the airport. This 
Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and 
times established in advance by a Notice to Airman. The effective 
date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the 
Airport/facility Directory.
* * * * *
    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on February 16, 1999.
David P. Johnson,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 99-5252 Filed 3-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M