[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 118 (Monday, June 21, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33012-33013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15709]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-ACE-24]


Amendment to Class E Airspace; Emporia, KS

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 areas at Emporia 
Municipal Airport, Emporia, KS. The FAA has developed Global 
Positioning System (GPS) Runway (RWY) 1, GPS RWY 19, VHF 
Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) Area 
Navigation (RNAV) RWY 19, and amended the VOR or GPS-A Standard 
Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) to serve Emporia Municipal 
Airport, KS. The Development of these SIAPs has resulted in a slight 
reduction in the Class E surface area. Additional controlled airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to 
accommodate these SIAPs, however the extensions to the north and 
southeast have been eliminated. The enlarged Class E area will contain 
the new GPS RWY 1, GPS RWY 19, VOR/DME RNAV RWY 19, and VOR or GPS-A 
SIAPs in controlled airspace.
    In addition, a minor revision to the Airport Reference Point (ARP) 
geographic coordinates for the Emporia Municipal Airport is included in 
this document. The intended effect of this rule is to provide 
controlled Class E airspace for aircraft executing the GPS RWY 1, GPS 
RWY 19, VOR/DME RNAV RWY 19, and VOR or GPS-A SIAPs, revise the ARP 
coordinates for the Emporia Municipal Airport, 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 26, 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-24, 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 GPS RWY 1, GPS RWY 19, 
VOR/DME RNAV RWY19, and VOR or GPS-A SIAPs to serve the Emporia 
Municipal Airport, Emporia, KS. In addition, the Class E airspace 
includes a minor revision to the geographic coordinates for the Emporia 
Municipal Airport ARP. The Class E surface area is slightly reduced. 
The amendment to Class E airspace at Emporia, KS, will provide 
additional controlled airspace at and above 700 feet AGL in order to 
contain the new SIAPs within controlled airspace, eliminate the 
extensions to the north and southeast, and thereby facilitate 
separation of aircraft operating under Instrument Flight Rules. The 
areas will be depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts. Class E 
airspace areas designated as a surface area for an airport are 
published in paragraph 6002 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

[[Page 33013]]

aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All 
comments 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-24.'' 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, 1997); 
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 6002  Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area 
airport.

* * * * *

ACE KS E2  Emporia, KS [Revised]

Emporia Municipal Airport, KS
    (Lat. 38 deg.19'56'' N., long. 96 deg.11'28'' W.)

    Within a 4-mile radius of Emporia Municipal Airport. This Class 
E airspace area 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 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ACE KS E5  Emporia, KS [Revised]

Emporia Municipal Airport, KS
    (Lat. 38 deg.19'56'' N., long. 96 deg.11'28'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of Emporia Municipal Airport.
* * * * *
    Issued in Kansas City, MO, on May 21, 1999.
Donovan D. Schardt,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Central Region.
[FR Doc. 99-15709 Filed 6-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M