[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 59 (Monday, March 27, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16130-16131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7494]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-AWA-3]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revocation of the Sacramento McClellan Air Force Base (AFB) Class 
C Airspace Area, Establishment of the Sacramento McClellan AFB Class E 
Surface Area; and Modification of the Sacramento International Airport 
Class C Airspace Area; CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule revokes the Sacramento McClellan AFB, CA, 
Class C airspace area, establishes Class E airspace at Sacramento 
McClellan AFB, CA, and modifies the Sacramento International Airport, 
CA, Class C airspace area. Specifically, the FAA is revoking the 
Sacramento McClellan AFB Class C airspace area due to a reduction in 
the number of aircraft operations at McClellan AFB. This action also 
establishes a Class E surface area to provide controlled airspace for 
the protection of instrument approach operations to McClellan AFB. In 
addition, this action modifies the Sacramento International Airport 
Class C airspace area to provide additional airspace for the management 
of aircraft operations to and from the Sacramento International 
Airport. The FAA is making these changes to enhance safety, reduce the 
risk of midair collision, and improve the management of aircraft 
operations in the Sacramento terminal airspace area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, September 7, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules 
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    As announced in the Federal Register on October 13, 1998 (63 FR 
54637), a public meeting was held on November 17, 1998, at Sacramento 
McClellan AFB, CA. The purpose of this meeting was to provide airspace 
users with an opportunity to provide their views, recommendations and 
comments regarding the FAA's planned modification to the Sacramento, 
CA,

[[Page 16131]]

terminal airspace area. Those attending the meeting expressed general 
support for the planned modification.
    On December 2, 1999, the FAA published a notice (64 FR 67525) 
proposing to revoke the McClellan AFB Class C airspace area, establish 
Class E airspace in its place, and modify the Sacramento International 
Class C airspace area. Interested parties were invited to participate 
in this rulemaking effort by submitting comments on the proposal to the 
FAA. In the ensuing comment period, which closed on January 17, 2000, 
the FAA received no comments on the proposed action.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by revoking the Sacramento 
McClellan AFB, CA, Class C airspace area and establishing a Class E 
surface area at Sacramento McClellan AFB, CA. The FAA is taking this 
action because the number of aircraft operations at McClellan AFB have 
decreased significantly as a result of the permanent closure of the 
airport traffic control tower (ATCT). The United States Air Force 
closed McClellan AFB tower on October 1, 1998, as part of its Base 
Realignment and Closing process. McClellan AFB is scheduled for closure 
July 2001. Remaining aircraft operations are expected to decline with 
the closure of McClellan AFB. Thus, the FAA is replacing the Sacramento 
McClellan AFB Class C airspace area with a Class E surface area to 
provide controlled airspace for the protection of instrument approach 
operations to McClellan AFB.
    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 also modifies the Sacramento 
International Airport Class C airspace area by expanding its eastern 
boundary. This modification will ensure that the airspace overlying the 
Rio Linda airport, located in the revoked McClellan AFB Class C 
airspace area, retains Class C airspace protection. This is necessary 
to maintain the safety level previously afforded by part of the 
McClellan Class C airspace area.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this (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 will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class C and Class E airspace designations are 
published, respectively, in paragraphs 4000 and 6002 of FAA Order 
7400.9G, dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 1999, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class C and E 
airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends part 71 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
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 7400.9G, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 
1999, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 4000--Subpart C--Class C Airspace.

* * * * *

AWP CA C  Sacramento, McClellan AFB, CA [Removed]

* * * * *

AWP CA C  Sacramento International Airport, CA [Revised]

Sacramento International Airport, CA
    (Lat. 38 deg.41'44" N., long. 121 deg.35'27" W.)
Riego Flight Strip
    (Lat. 38 deg.45'15" N., long. 121 deg.33'47" W.)
Natomas Field
    (Lat. 38 deg.38'18" N., long. 121 deg.30'55" W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
4,100 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of the Sacramento 
International Airport, excluding that airspace within a 2-mile 
radius of Riego Flight Strip, and that airspace within a 2-mile 
radius of Natomas Field, and that airspace east of the 002 deg. 
bearing from Natomas Field; and that airspace extending upward from 
1,600 feet MSL to 4,100 feet MSL within a 10-mile radius of 
Sacramento International Airport.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6002--Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AWP CA E2  Sacramento, McClellan AFB, CA [New]

Sacramento, McClellan AFB, CA
    (Lat. 38 deg.40'04" N., long. 121 deg.24'02" W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.5-
mile radius of McClellan AFB excluding that airspace within the 
Sacramento International Airport Class C surface area.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC on March 20, 2000.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 00-7494 Filed 3-24-00; 8:45 am]
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