[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 165 (Thursday, August 24, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51523-51524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21637]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airplane Docket No. 00-ASO-27]


Removal of Class E Airspace; Melbourne, FL, and Coca Patrick AFB, 
FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action removes Class E2 airspace at Melbourne, FL, and 
Cocoa Patrick AFB, FL. The weather and radio communications 
requirements for Class E2 Airspace at Melbourne International and 
Patrick AFB Airports, when the respective Air Traffic Control (ATC) 
towers close, no longer exist. Therefore, the Class E2 airspace for the 
Melbourne International and Patrick AFB Airports must be removed.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, October 5, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy B. Shelton, Manager, Airspace 
Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 
20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-5627.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    After Patrick AFB Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) was 
decommissioned, air traffic control responsibility for the Melbourne 
International and Patrick AFB Airports was transferred from Miami ARTC 
Center to Daytona Beach Approach Control, when the Melbourne and 
Patrick AFB (ATC) towers close. Daytona Beach Approach Control does not 
have the communications and weather capability to provide ATC service 
to the surface as required for Class E2 airspace. Therefore, the Class 
E2 airspace must be removed. This rule will become effective on the 
date specified in the DATE section. Since this action removes the Class 
E2 airspace, and as a result, eliminates the impact of Class E2 
airspace on users of the airspace in the vicinity of the Melbourne 
International and Patrick

[[Page 51524]]

AFB Airports, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are 
unnecessary.

The Rule

    This amendment to Part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 71) removes Class E2 airspace at Melbourne, FL and Cocoa 
Patrick AFB, FL.
    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--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 14 CFR Part 71 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 40103, 40113, 40120; EO 10854, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 14 CFR 11.69.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    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 6002  Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *
ASO FL E2  Melbourne, FL [Remove]
* * * * *
ASO FL E2  Cocoa Patrick AFB, FL [Remove]
* * * * *

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on July 18, 2000.
Wade T. Carpenter,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southern Division.
[FR Doc. 00-21637 Filed 8-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M