[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 25, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24136-24138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10214]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 00-AWA-2]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Revision to the Legal Description of the Shaw Air Force 
Base Class C Airspace Area; SC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to revise the legal description of the Shaw 
Air Force Base (AFB), SC, Class C airspace area by changing the hours 
of area operation to be consistent with current operational 
requirements. In this proposed revision, the Class C airspace area 
would be designated effective during the specific days and hours of 
operation of the Shaw AFB Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) as 
established in advance by a Notice to

[[Page 24137]]

Airmen (NOTAM). The effective days and times would thereafter be 
continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory. This proposed 
action would not change the actual dimensions, configuration, or 
operating requirements of the Shaw AFB Class C airspace area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 8, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket, AGC-200, Airspace Docket No. 00-AWA-2, 800 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20591. Comments may also be sent electronically to 
the following Internet address: [email protected]. The official 
docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of the Chief 
Counsel, Room 916, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. 
and 5:00 p.m. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, 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:

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 
Communications should identify the airspace docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing 
the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this action must 
submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 00-
AWA-2.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter. All communications received on or before the specified 
closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on 
the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed 
in light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available 
for examination in the Rules Docket both before and after the closing 
date for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact 
with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from the FAA 
regulations section of the Fedworld electronic bulletin board service 
(telephone: 703-321-3339) or the Federal Register's electronic bulletin 
board service (telephone: 202-512-1661), using a modem and suitable 
communications software.
    Internet users may reach the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov 
or the Federal Register's web page at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara 
for access to recently published rulemaking documents.
    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Air Traffic Airspace 
Management, Attention: Airspace and Rules Division, ATA-400, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 
267-3075. Communications must identify the docket number of this NPRM. 
Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's 
should contact the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of 
Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, to request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 
11-2A, which describes the application procedure.

Background

    The Shaw AFB ATCT has reduced its hours of operation. Therefore, 
there is a need to revise the effective times published for the Shaw 
AFB Class C airspace area to coincide with those times that Class C air 
traffic control services are available. The Shaw AFB Class C airspace 
area remains an essential safety measure in support of the ongoing 
airport operational requirements.

The Proposal

    The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 by revising the legal 
description of the Shaw AFB Class C airspace area located at Shaw AFB, 
SC. The FAA proposes to revise the hours of operation for the Class C 
airspace area to align them with current airfield operations. It is 
proposed that the Shaw AFB Class C airspace area would be designated 
effective during the specific days and hours of operation of the Shaw 
AFB ATCT as established in advance by NOTAM. The proposed action is a 
technical amendment to the legal description and would not change the 
actual dimensions, configuration, or operating requirements of the Shaw 
AFB Class C airspace area. During the times that Shaw ATCT is not 
operational, the airspace reverts to Class E airspace since one of the 
requirements for Class C airspace is an operational ATCT. The radar 
approach control operating hours remain unchanged. Jacksonville Center 
assumes the airspace when Shaw radar approach control closes.
    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 proposed action: (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 proposed rule, when promulgated, 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 airspace designations are published in 
paragraph 4000 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 airspace designation listed in this document 
would be published subsequently in the Order.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 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:

[[Page 24138]]


    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

* * * * *

Shaw AFB, SC [Revised]

Shaw AFB, SC
(lat. 33 deg.58'23" N., long. 80 deg.28'22" W.)
Sumter Municipal Airport
(lat. 33 deg.59'42" N., long. 80 deg.21'40" W.)
    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
4,200 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of the Shaw AFB, excluding 
that airspace below 1,500 feet MSL within a 2-mile radius of the 
Sumter Municipal Airport; and that airspace extending upward from 
1,500 feet MSL to and including 4,200 feet MSL within a 10-mile 
radius of Shaw AFB; excluding that airspace contained within 
Restricted Area R-6002 when it is in use. This Class C 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 Washington, DC, on April 17, 2000.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 00-10214 Filed 4-24-00; 8:45 am]
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