[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 53 (Friday, March 17, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14497-14498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6553]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 2000-ANE-91]


Proposed Establishment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Oxford, 
CT

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes the establishment of Class D and Class E 
airspace areas at Oxford, CT (KOXC) to accommodate a new Air Traffic 
Control Tower at Waterbury-Oxford Airport, Oxford, Connecticut.

DATES: Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on 
or before May 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal to: Manager, Airspace Branch, 
ANE-520, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 2000-ANE-91, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 
238-7520; fax (781) 238-7596. Comments may also be sent electronically 
via the internet to the following address: ``[email protected]''
    The official docket file may be examined in the Office of the 
Regional Counsel, New England Region, ANE-7, Room 401, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-7050; 
fax (781-238-7055.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the Air Traffic Division, Room 408, by contacting the Manager, 
Airspace Branch at the first address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David T. Bayley, Air Traffic Division, 
Airspace Branch, ANE-520.7, Federal Aviation Administration, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7586; fax (781) 238-7596.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking 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withdrawn in light of the comments received.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 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. 2000-ANE-91.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NRPM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NRPM by submitting a request 
to the Federal Aviation Administration, Airspace Branch, ANE-520, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Communications must identify the docket 
number of this NRPM. 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 State of Connecticut has notified the FAA that it has approved 
plans for the construction of a permanent Air Traffic Control Tower 
(ATCT) at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC), Oxford, Connecticut. 
Construction of the new ATCT should be complete in May 2000, and the 
State has applied to have the ATCT operated under the FAA Contract 
Tower Program. Accordingly, the State has requested that the FAA 
establish a Class D airspace area in vicinity of the Waterbury-Oxford 
Airport commensurate with the commissioning of the new ATCT. Air 
traffic at the Waterbury-Oxford Airport has grown over the past year 
and presently includes both high-speed jets and slower speed 
reciprocating powered light aircraft and rotorcraft.
    The FAA establishes Class D airspace where necessary to provide a 
safe environment for aircraft transiting between the enroute and 
terminal airspace structures. This is particularly true when aircraft 
with greatly different performance characteristics operate at the same 
airport. Class D airspace areas encompass that airspace in the vicinity 
of an airport from the surface upward to a specified altitude in which 
pilots of aircraft must establish and maintain two-way radio 
communications with the ATCT at that airport. This proposal would 
create a Class D airspace area in the vicinity of the Waterbury-Oxford 
Airport extending upward from the surface to 3,200 feet MSL within a 5-
mile radius of the airport.
    In addition, the FAA finds that Class E airspace area, extending 
from the surface as an extension of the Class D airspace area, is 
necessary in order to provide sufficient controlled airspace to 
accommodate those aircraft arriving at the airport using a standard 
instrument approach procedure (SIAP). The Waterbury Oxford Airport has 
a SIAP that requires the establishment of a Class E surface airspace 
area extending to northwest of the airport along the TBY NDB 353 deg. 
bearing to a point 7.6 miles from the airport. These proposals will 
provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace in the 
vicinity of the Waterbury-Oxford Airport, and promote safe flight 
operations under both Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight 
Rules (VFR) by aircraft transiting to and from enroute airspace 
structure.
    Class D airspace designations are published in Paragraph 5000 of 
FAA Order 7400.9G, and Class E airspace designations for airspace 
designated as extensions of a Class D airspace area are published in 
paragraph 6004 of FAA Order 7500.9G. FAA Order 7400.9G, dated September 
1, 1999, and effective September 16, 1999, is incorporated by reference 
in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E airspace designations listed in 
this document will be published subsequently in this Order.

Agency Findings

    This rule does not have federalism implications, as defined in 
Executive Order 13132, because it does not have a substantial direct 
effect 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state

[[Page 14498]]

authorities prior to publication of this rule.
    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) Does not warrant preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation as 
these routine matters will only affect air traffic procedures and air 
navigation. It is certified that these proposed rules will not have 
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 references, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal 
Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) as follows:

PART 71--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 10-6(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 
24 FR 9563, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9G, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 
1999, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000  Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ANE CT D Oxford, CT [New]

Waterbury-Oxford Airport, CT
(Lat. 41 deg.28'46"N, long. 73 deg.08'07"W

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,200 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of Waterbury-Oxford 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 6004  Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Extensions to 
Class D Airspace Areas.

* * * * *

ANE CT E4 Oxford, CT [New]

Waterbury-Oxford Airport, CT
(Lat. 41 deg.28'46"N, long. 73 deg.08'07"W

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3.6 miles 
on each side of the RBY NDB 353 deg. bearing extending from a 5-mile 
radius of Waterbury-Oxford Airport to 7.6 miles northwest of the TBY 
NDB. 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.
* * * * *

    Issued in Burlington, MA, on March 3, 2000.
William C. Yuknewicz,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, New England Region.
[FR Doc. 00-6553 Filed 3-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M