[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 42 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10410-10411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5393]



[[Page 10410]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-ASW-01]


Proposed Establishment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Sugar 
Land, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to establish Class D and Class E airspace 
extending upward from the surface to and including 2,600 feet mean sea 
level (MSL), within a 4.2-mile radius of the Sugar Land/Hull Airport at 
Sugar Land, TX. A non-federal air traffic control tower has been in 
operation since April 1995. The Class D airspace will revert to Class E 
airspace when the control tower is not in operation. The intended 
effect of this proposal is to provide adequate controlled airspace for 
aircraft operating in the vicinity of Sugar Land/Hull Airport, Sugar 
Land, TX.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 3, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to Manager, 
Airspace Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Southwest Region, Docket No. 99-ASW-01, Fort Worth, TX 76193-0520. The 
official docket may be examined in the Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. An informal docket may also be 
examined during normal business hours at the Airspace Branch, Air 
Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, 
2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald J. Day, Airspace Branch, Air 
Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, 
Fort Worth, TX 76193-0520; telephone: (817) 222-5593.

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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their 
comments on this notice must submit, with those comments, a self-
addressed, stamped, postcard containing the following statement: 
``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 99-ASW-01.'' The postcard will be 
date and 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 the light of comments 
received. All comments submitted will be available for examination in 
the Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 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 Operations Branch, Air Traffic 
Division, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, Fort 
Worth, TX 76193-0520. 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 
that describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to establish 
Class D and Class E airspace, controlled airspace extending upward from 
the surface to and including 2,600 feet MSL, at Sugar Land/Hull 
Airport, Sugar Land, TX. A non-federal air traffic control tower has 
been in operation since April 1995 and the Sugar Land/Hull Airport has 
experienced significant air traffic growth in the past few years. The 
Class D airspace will revert to Class E airspace when the control tower 
is not in operation. The intended effect of this proposal is to provide 
adequate Class D and Class E airspace for aircraft operating in the 
vicinity of Sugar Land/Hull Airport, Sugar Land, TX.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Designated Class D and E airspace areas are 
published in Paragraph 5000 and 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 the order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations that require frequent and 
routine amendments to keep them operationally current. It, therefore--
(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 rule, when promulgated, will not have a significant 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--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 14 CFR 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 areas.

* * * * *

ASW TX D  Houston Sugar Land/Hull Airport, TX [New]

Sugar Land, Sugar Land/Hull Airport, TX

[[Page 10411]]

    (Lat. 29 deg.37'20''N., long. 095 deg.39'24''W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Sugar Land/Hull Airport. 
This Class D airspace is effective during the specific dates and 
times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective 
date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the 
Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6002  Class E airspace areas extending upward from the 
surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ASW TX E3 Houston Sugar/ Land/Hull Airport, TX [New]

Sugar Land, Sugar Land/Hull Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29 deg.37'20''N., long. 095 deg.39'24''W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.2-
mile radius of Sugar Land/Hull Airport. This Class E airspace is 
effective during the specific dates and times established in advance 
by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter 
be continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *
    Issued in Fort Worth, TX on February 25, 1999.
Albert L. Viselli,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 99-5393 Filed 3-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M