[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 18, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19852-19853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9532]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 2000-ANE-91]


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:  Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, May 17, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael A. Baney, 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:

History

    On March 17, 2000, the FAA published a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking to amend part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
part 71) by establishing Class D and Class E airspace areas in the 
vicinity of Oxford, CT. This action resulted from notice by the State 
of Connecticut that it had approved plans for the construction of a 
permanent Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at Waterbury-Oxford Airport 
(KOXC), Oxford, Connecticut. The State has applied to have the ATCT 
operated under the FAA Contract Tower Program. Accordingly, the State 
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 
recent years and presently includes both high-speed jets and slower 
speed reciprocating powered light aircraft, as well as 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 action creates 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 a 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 Waterbury 
(TBY) NDB 353 deg. bearing to a point 7.6 miles from the airport. This 
action provides 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 the 
enroute airspace structure.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
No comments were received. Based on further review of the proposal, the 
FAA had corrected the latitude coordinate for the Waterbury-Oxford 
Airport from 41 deg.28'46" N to 41 deg.28'43" N, and has added the 
latitude and longitude coordinates for the Waterbury (TBY) Non-
Directional Beacon (NDB) to the description of the new Class E airspace 
area. The coordinates for this airspace action are based on North 
American Datum 83. These changes neither increase the scope of this 
action nor change any of the agency's findings with respect to this 
action.
    Class D airspace designations are published in Paragraph 5000 of 
FAA Order 7400.9H, and Class E airspace designations for airspace 
designated as extensions of a Class D airspace area are published in 
paragraph 6004 of FAA Order 7400.9H. FAA Order 7400.9H, dated September 
1, 2000, and effective September 16, 2000, 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.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 71) establishes Class D and Class E airspace areas in the 
vicinity of Oxford, CT.
    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 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

[[Page 19853]]

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 reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

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


    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9H, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2000, and effective September 16, 
2000, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000  Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ANE CT D Oxford, CT [New]

Waterbury-Oxford Airport, CT
    (Lat. 41 deg.28'43" 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 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.
* * * * *

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.28'43" N, long. 73 deg.08'07" W)
Waterbury NDB
    (Lat. 41 deg.31'45" N, long. 73 deg.08'38" W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3.6 miles 
on each side of the Waterbury (TBY) 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 April 06, 2001.
William C. Yuknewicz,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 01-9532 Filed 4-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M