[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35426-35427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12609]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 02-ACE-4]


Amendment to Class E Airspace; Norton, KS

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This action amends the Class E airspace at Norton, KS. The FAA 
has developed Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) Runway (RWY) 16 
ORIGINAL Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) and NDB RWY 34 
ORIGINAL SIAP to serve Norton Municipal Airport, Norton, KS. Additional 
controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level 
(AGL) is needed to accommodate the SIAPs.
    The intended effect of this rule is to provide controlled Class E 
airspace for aircraft executing the SIAPs and to segregate aircraft 
using instrument approach procedure in instrument conditions from 
aircraft operating in visual conditions.

DATES: This direct final rule is effective on 0901 UTC, October 3, 
2002.
    Comments for inclusion in the rules Docket must be received on or 
before July 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the rule in triplicate to: Manager, 
Airspace Branch, Air Traffic Division, ACE-520, DOT Regional 
Headquarters Building, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket Number 
02-ACE-4, 901 Locus, Kansas City, MO 64106.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Regional 
Counsel for the Central Region at the same address between 9 a.m. and 3 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An informal 
docket may also be examined during normal business hours in the Air 
Traffic Division at the same address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Randolph, Air Traffic Division,

[[Page 35427]]

Airspace Branch, ACE-520C DOT Regional Headquarters Building, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 901 Lucust, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone: 
(816) 329-2525.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has developed NDB RWY 16 ORIGINAL 
and NDB RWY 34 ORIGINAL SIAPs to serve Norton Municipal Airport, 
Norton, KS. The amendment to Class E airspace at Norton, KS. will 
provide additional controlled airspace at and above 700 feet AGL in 
order to contain the new SIAPs within controlled airspace, and thereby 
facilitate separation of aircraft operating under Instrument Flight 
Rules (IFR). The area will be depicted on appropriate aeronautical 
charts. Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more 
above the surface of the earth are published in paragraph 6005 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 
designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the 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 direct final 
rule. Previous actions of this nature have not been controversial and 
have not resulted in adverse comments or objections. The amendment will 
enhance safety for all flight operations by designating an area where 
VFR pilots may anticipate the presence of IFR aircraft at lower 
altitudes, especially during inclement weather conditions. A greater 
degree of safety is achieved by depicting the area on aeronautical 
charts. 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, 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 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-related 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 Rule Docket.
    Comments 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. 02-ACE-4.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Agency Findings

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and 
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For the reason 
discussed in the preamble, I certify that 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) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, 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

    Accordingly, 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 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.91J Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 31, 2001, and effective September 16, 
2001, is amended as follows;

Paragraph 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ACE KS E5 Norton, KS [REVISED]

Norton Municipal Airport, KS
    (lat.39 deg.51'01" N., long. 99 deg.53'41" W.)
Norton NDB
    (lat.39 deg.51'20" N., long. 99 deg.53'20" W.)
    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of Norton Municipal Airport and within 2.5 
miles each side of the 171 deg. bearing from the Norton NDB 
extending from the 6.5-mile radius to seven miles south of the 
airport and within 2.5 miles each side of the 311 deg. bearing from 
the Norton NDB extending from the 6.5-miles radius to 7 miles 
northwest of the airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in Kansas City, MO, on April 26, 2002.
Paul J. Sheridan,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Central Region.
[FR Doc. 02-12609 Filed 5-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M