[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 72 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19826-19827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9145]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 00-AWA-1]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revision of the Legal Description of the Houston Class B Airspace 
Area; TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action amends the legal description of the Houston, TX, 
Class B Airspace Area. Specifically, this rule revises the description 
of the southern portion of the Houston Class B Airspace Area by 
eliminating references to the Hobby Very High Frequency Omnidirectional 
Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) as the point of origin. 
The new point of origin will be the current geographical location of 
the Hobby VOR/DME. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned 
relocation of the Hobby VOR/DME. This action does not change the actual 
dimensions, configuration, or operating requirements of the Houston 
Class B Airspace Area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, June 15, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bil Nelson, 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

    Due to construction on the William P. Hobby Airport property 
occurring in close proximity to the Hobby VOR/DME, the FAA will 
relocate the VORTAC approximately 2,000 feet to the east of its current 
location. This relocation of the Hobby VOR/DME will effect the current 
legal description of the Houston Class B airspace area. Specifically, 
the description of the southern portion of the Houston Class B Airspace 
area uses the Hobby VOR/DME as a reference. To assist general aviation 
in identifying the southern boundaries of the Houston Class B airspace 
area, the FAA will publish on the Houston Visual Flight Rules Terminal 
Area Chart geographical coordinates along with bearings/fix/distance 
information.

The Rule

    This action amends the legal description of the Houston, TX, Class 
B Airspace Area. Specifically, this rule revises the description of the 
southern portion of the Houston Class B Airspace Area by eliminating 
references to the Hobby Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/
Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) as the point of origin. As a 
result the FAA is establishing the point of origin for the southern 
portion of the Houston Class B airspace area, from the current 
geographical location of the Hobby VOR/DME. This action does not change 
the actual dimensions, configuration, or operating requirements of the 
Houston Class B Airspace Area.
    Since this action merely involves a change in the legal description 
of the Houston Class B airspace area, and does not involve a change in 
the dimensions or operating requirements of that airspace, notice and 
public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.
    Class B airspace areas are published in paragraph 3000 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 B airspace 
area listed in this document will be published subsequently in the 
Order.
    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. 
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 will not have a 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 reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 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. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 14 CFR 11.69.

[[Page 19827]]

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 3000  Subpart B--Class B Airspace

* * * * *

ASW TX B  Houston, TX (Revised)

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) (Primary Airport)
(Lat. 29 deg.58'50" N., long. 95 deg.20'23" W.)
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) (Secondary Airport)
(Lat. 29 deg.38'44" N., long. 95 deg.16'44" W.)
Ellington Field
(Lat. 29 deg.36'27" N., long. 95 deg.09'32" W.)
Humble VORTAC (IAH)
(Lat. 29 deg.57'25" N., long. 95 deg.20'45" W.)
Point of Origin
(Lat 29 deg.39'01" N., long. 95 deg.16'45" W.)

Boundaries

    Area A. That airspace extending upward from the surface to and 
including 10,000 feet MSL bounded by a line beginning at the 
intersection of the Humble VORTAC 8-mile DME arc and the 090 deg. 
radial; thence clockwise along the Humble VORTAC 8-mile DME arc to 
the Humble VORTAC 069 deg. radial; thence east along the Humble 
VORTAC 069 deg. radial to the 10-mile arc of the Humble VORTAC; 
thence clockwise along the 10-mile arc to the Humble VORTAC 090 deg. 
radial; thence west to the point of beginning; and that airspace 
bounded by a line beginning at lat. 29 deg.45'37" N., long. 
95 deg.21'58" W.; to lat. 29 deg.45'46" N., long. 95 deg.11'47" W.; 
thence clockwise along the 8-mile arc from the Point of Origin to 
intercept the 056 deg. bearing from the Point of Origin; thence 
southwest along the 056 deg. bearing to the 5.1-mile fix from the 
Point of Origin, thence direct to the Point of Origin 131 deg. 
bearing/5.8-mile fix from the Point of Origin; thence southeast 
along the 131 deg. bearing from the Point of Origin to intercept the 
7-mile arc from the Point of Origin; thence clockwise on the 7-mile 
arc to the 156 deg. bearing from the Point of Origin; thence north 
along the 156 deg. bearing to the 6-mile fix from the Point of 
Origin; thence clockwise along the 6-mile arc to the 211 deg. 
bearing from the Point of Origin; thence south along the 211 deg. 
bearing from the Point of Origin to the 8-mile arc from the Point of 
Origin; thence clockwise to the point of beginning.
    Area B. That airspace extending upward from 2,000 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL bounded by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Highway 59 (SH 59) and the 15-mile arc from 
the Point of Origin; thence counterclockwise along the 15-mile arc 
to State Road 6 (SR 6); thence southeast along SR 6 to the 
intersection of SR 6 and Farm Road 521 (FR 521); thence south along 
FR 521 to the intersection of FR 521 and the 15-mile arc from the 
Point of Origin; thence counterclockwise along the 15-mile arc to 
the 211 deg. bearing from the Point of Origin; thence northeast 
along the 211 deg. bearing to the 10-mile arc from the Point of 
Origin; thence east along the 10-mile arc to the 156 deg. bearing 
from the Point of Origin; thence southeast along the 156 deg. 
bearing to the 15-mile arc from the Point of Origin; thence 
counterclockwise on the 15-mile arc to the intersection of the 15-
mile arc and the Humble VORTAC 15-mile arc; thence counterclockwise 
along the Humble VORTAC 15-mile arc to the intersection of the 15-
mile arc and Westheimer Road lat. 29 deg.44'07" N., long. 
95 deg.28'47" W.; thence southwest to and along SH 59 to the point 
of beginning, excluding Area A.
    Area C. That airspace extending upward from 3,000 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL bounded by a line beginning at the 
intersection of SH 59 and the Humble VORTAC 20-mile DME arc; thence 
clockwise along the Humble VORTAC 20-mile DME arc to the 
intersection of the Humble VORTAC 20-mile DME arc and Interstate 10 
(I-10), west on I-10 to the 15-mile arc from the Point of Origin; 
thence counterclockwise along the 15-mile arc to the Humble VORTAC 
15-mile DME arc; thence counterclockwise along the Humble VORTAC 15-
mile DME arc to the intersection of the Humble VORTAC 15-mile DME 
arc and Westheimer Road; thence southwest to and along SH 59 to the 
point of beginning; and that airspace beginning at the intersection 
of the 15-mile arc and the 156 deg. bearing from the Point of 
Origin; thence north along the 156 deg. bearing to the 10-mile arc 
from the Point of Origin clockwise along the 10-mile arc to the 
211 deg. bearing from the Point of Origin; thence south along the 
211 deg. bearing to intersect the 15-mile arc from the Point of 
Origin to the point of beginning.
    Area D. That airspace extending upward from 4,000 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL bounded by a line beginning at the 
intersection of SH 59 and the Humble VORTAC 30-mile DME arc; thence 
clockwise along the Humble VORTAC 30-mile DME arc to the 
intersection of the Humble VORTAC 30-mile arc and the 20-mile arc 
from the Point of Origin; thence clockwise along the 20-mile arc to 
SH 59; thence southwest on SH 59 to the point of beginning, 
excluding Areas B, C, and E.
    Area E. That airspace extending upward from 2,500 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL bounded by a line beginning at the 
intersection of the 15-mile arc from the Point of Origin and SR 6; 
thence southeast along SR 6 to the intersection of SR 6 and FR 521; 
thence south along FR 521 to the intersection of FR 521 and the 15-
mile arc from the Point of Origin; thence counterclockwise along the 
15-mile arc from the Point of Origin to the point of the beginning.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 6, 2000.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 00-9145 Filed 4-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P