[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 242 (Monday, December 17, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64910-64911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31000]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 01-AWP-23]


Revocation of Class E Surface Area at Lompoc, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action revokes the Class E Surface Area airspace at 
Lompoc Airport in Lompoc, CA. The airport does not meet Class E Surface 
Area criteria due to inadequate radio communications capabilities 
between the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and 
operators on the airport surface at Lompoc, CA.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC February 21, 2002. Comment date: 
Comments for inclsion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before 
January 16, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the direct final rule in triplicate to: 
Federal Aviation Administration, Attn: Manager,Airspace Branch, AWP-
520, Docket No. 01-AWP-23, Air Traffic Division, P.O. Box 92007, Los 
Angeles, California 90009.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Western-Pacific Region, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Room 6007, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California 90261.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the Office of the Manager, Airspace Branch, Air Traffic 
Division at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeri Carson, Air Traffic Division, 
Airspace Specialist, AWP-520, Western-Pacific Region, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California 90261, 
telephone (310) 725-6611.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action revokes the Class E2 airspace 
designated as a Surface Area at Lompoc Airport in Lompoc, CA. Existing 
Class E5 airspace, extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, 
will continue to support instrument operations at Lompoc Airport, and 
will not be changed as a result of this action. The intended effect of 
this action is to retain only the minimum Class E airspace required to 
protect instrument operations at Lompoc Airport, consistent with 
airspace criteria contained in FAA Order 7400.2E, Procedures for 
Handling Airspace Matters. Class E airspace areas designated as surface 
areas for airports are published in Paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9J 
dated August 31, 2001, and effective September 16, 2001, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace 
revocation listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
that Order.

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

    The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
or negative comment and therefore is issuing it as a meet final rule. 
Unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a written notice of 
intent to submit an adverse or negative comment is received within the 
comment period, the regulation will become effective on the date 
specified above. After the close of the comment period, the FAA will 
publish a document in the Federal Register indicating that no adverse 
or negative comments were received and confirming the date on which the 
final rule will become effective. If the FAA does receive, within the 
comment period, an adverse or negative comment, or written notice of 
intent to submit such a comment, a document withdrawing the direct 
final rule will be published in the Federal Register, and a notice of 
proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment period.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn in light of 
the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is

[[Page 64911]]

extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this action and 
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
action will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 01-AWP-23.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Agency Findings

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and 
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For the reasons 
discussed in the preamble, 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 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; 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 7400.9J, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 31, 2001, and effective September 16, 
2001, is amended as follows:
* * * * *

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as a Surface Area for an 
airport.

* * * * *

AWP CA E2 Lompoc, CA [Removed]

Lompoc Airport, CA
    (Lat. 34 deg.39'56" N, long. 120 deg.28'00" W)

    Within a 4.3-mile radius of Lompoc Airport, excluding that 
airspace within Restricted Areas R-2516 and R-2517. 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 Los Angeles, California, on November 23, 2001.
Leonard A. Mobley,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 01-31000 Filed 12-14-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M