[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 111 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31116-31117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14608]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-ACE-23]


Amendment to Class E Airspace; Thedford, NE

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the Class E airspace area at Thomas County 
Airport, Thedford, NE. The FAA has developed Global Positioning System 
(GPS) Runway (RWY) 11, GPS RWY 29, and VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
RWY 11, Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) to serve Thomas 
County Airport, NE. Additional controlled airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to accommodate these 
SIAPs and for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at this airport. 
The enlarged area will contain the new GPS RWY 11, GPS RWY 29, and VOR 
RWY 11 SIAPs in controlled airspace.
    The old Thomas County Airport was closed and a new Thomas County 
Airport was constructed approximately 2 miles farther west. Therefore, 
a new Airport Reference Point (ARP) was established and is included in 
this document.
    The intended effect of this rule is to provide controlled Class E 
airspace for aircraft executing the GPS RWY 11, GPS RWY 29, and VOR RWY 
11 SIAPSs, amend the ARP, and to segregate aircraft using instrument 
approach procedures in instrument conditions from aircraft operating in 
visual conditions.

DATES: This direct final rule is effective on 0901 UTC, September 9, 
1999.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before July 16, 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-23, 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 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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: The FAA has developed GSS RWY 11, GPS RWY 
29, and VOR RWY 11 SIAPs to serve the Thomas County Airport, Thedford, 
NE. The amendment to Class E airspace at Thedford, NE, will provide 
additional controlled airspace at and above 700 feet AGL in order to 
contain the new SIAPs within controlled airspace, and thereby 
facilitate separation of aircraft operating under Instrument Flight 
Rules. The new ARP is included in this document. The area will be 
depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts. 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 designation 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, or a written notice of intent to submit an 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

[[Page 31117]]

submitted will be available, both before 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-23.'' 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 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ACE NE E5  Thedford, NE [Revised]

Thedford, Thomas County Airport, NE
    (Lat. 41 deg.57'44''N., long. 100 deg.34'08''W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.3-mile radius of Thomas County Airport.
* * * * *
    Issued in Kansas City, MO, on May 10, 1999.
Donovan D. Schardt
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Central Region.
[FR Doc. 99-14608 Filed 6-9-99; 8:45 am]
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