[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 114 (Thursday, June 13, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40627-40629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14985]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 01-AGL-21]


Proposed Modification of Class E Airspace; Zanesville, OH

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes to modify Class E airspace at 
Zanesville, OH. A Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument 
Approach Procedure (SIAP) 160 deg. helicopter point in space approach, 
has been developed for Bethesda Hospital, Zanesville, OH. Controlled 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of 
the earth is needed to contain aircraft executing this approach. This 
action would increase the radius of the existing controlled airspace 
for Zanesville Municipal Airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of the Regional Counsel, AGL-7, Rules 
Docket No. 02-AGL-04, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 
60018.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des 
Plaines, Illinois. An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the Air Traffic Division, Airspace Branch, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denis C. Burke, Air Traffic Division, 
Airspace Branch, AGL-520, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East 
Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, telephone (847) 294-7568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On Monday, March 11, 2002, the FAA published a direct final rule 
with request for comment in the Federal Register (67 FR 10835). The 
rule

[[Page 40628]]

modified existing Class E airspace at Zanesville Municipal Airport, OH, 
in order to protect for a point in space approach used by helicopters 
involved in medical emergencies. It stated that unless adverse comments 
were received, the rule would become effective on August 8, 2002. Eight 
(8) comments were received. All eight (8) were considered adverse, 
thereby requiring the rule to be withdrawn, and this NPRM being issue. 
The objections centered around issues at Parr Airport and contained the 
following concerns:
    1. Safety concern over IFR helicopter operations. One (1) 
respondent stated he was concerned about inserting occasional 
helicopters into a busy G.A. environment.
    2. Increased restrictions on the ability to fly during periods of 
low visibility. Four (4) respondents stated they would have less 
opportunity to fly or train during marginal weather conditions because 
of the higher visibility requirements associated with Class E airspace.
    3. Impact to local flight school. Three (3) respondents stated 
business would be lost because of the inability to conduct VFR training 
during periods of low visibility.
    All of these comments were considered and evaluated. They are 
responded to as follows:
    In reference to:
    1. Class E airspace is designed to protect aircraft executing 
instrument approach procedures. The higher visibility requirements for 
VFR flight in Class E airspace allows for a safer operating environment 
for IFR aircraft.
    2. While not as many aircraft may operate at the same time when 
visibility is restricted, a special VFR clearance may be obtained, thus 
allowing for continued flight or training during these periods. 
Additionally, creating a Class E airspace corridor, or an exclusion for 
Parr Airport, which was suggested, would not fit design criteria, or 
provide adequate protection for the approach.
    3. Other than having to conduct training under higher visibility 
requirements (unless a special VFR clearance is requested), the 
economic impact to the flight school is undefined and beyond the scope 
of the airspace action.

Comment 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 notice must 
submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 01-
AGL-21.'' The postcard will be data/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter. All communications received on or before the specified 
closing date for comments with 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, FAA, Great Lakes Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois, 
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

    Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, 
Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-230, 
800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 
267-3484. Communications must identify the docket number of this NPRM. 
Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's 
should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, which 
describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to modify 
Class E airspace at Zanesville, OH, for Zanesville Municipal Airport. 
Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the 
surface of the earth is needed to contain aircraft executing instrument 
approach procedures. The area would 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 designations listed in this document would be published 
subsequently in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed 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 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 proposed 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).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, 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:

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

* * * * *

AGL OH E5  Zanesville, OH [Revised]

Zanesville Municipal Airport, OH
    (Lat. 39 deg.56'40'' N., long. 81 deg.53'32'' W.)
Zanesville VOR/DME
    (Lat. 39 deg.56'27'' N., long. 81 deg.53'33'' W.)
Zenesville, Bethesda Hospital, OH
Point in Space Coordinates

[[Page 40629]]

    (Lat. 39 deg.59'5'' N., long. 82 deg.1'30'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the Zanesville Municipal Airport and 
within 7 miles east and 4.4 miles west of the Zanesville VOR/DME 
220 deg. radial extending from the VOR/DME to 10.5 miles southwest 
of the VOR/DME, and within 2.4 miles either side of the Zanesville 
VOR/DME 028 deg. radial extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 7 
miles northeast of the VOR/DME, and within a 6-mile radius of the 
Point in Space serving the Bethesda Hospital.
* * * * *

    Dated: Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on May 24, 2002.
Nancy B. Shelton,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 02-14985 Filed 6-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M