[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 4, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56476-56477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22496]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 02-AEA-11]


Amendment of Class E Airspace: Gordonsville, VA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action removes the description of the Class E airspace 
designated for Gordonsville, VA. The Standard Instrument Approach 
Procedure (SIAP) for Gordonsville Municipal Airport has been cancelled. 
Class E airspace for Gordonsville, VA is no longer needed.

DATES: Effective date: November 28, 2002.
    Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before October 10, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to: Manager, 
Airspace Branch, AEA-520, Docket No. 02-AEA-11, FAA Eastern Region, 1 
Aviation Plaza, Jamaica, NY 11434-4890.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of Regional 
Counsel, AEA-7, FAA Eastern Region, 1 Aviation Plaza, Jamaica, NY 
11434-4809; telephone: (718) 553-3255.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Francis Jordan, Airspace 
Specialist, Airspace Branch, AEA-520, Air Traffic Division, Eastern 
Region, Federal Aviation Administration, 1 Aviation Plaza, Jamaica, NY 
11434-4809, telephone: (718) 553-4521.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Although this action is a final rule, which 
involves the amendment of the Class E airspace at Gordonsville, VA, by 
removing that airspace designated for Gordonsville Municipal Airport, 
and was not preceded by notice and public procedure, comments are 
invited on the rule. This rule will become effective on the date 
specified in the DATES section. However, after the review of any 
comments and, if the FAA finds that further changes are appropriate, it 
will initiate rulemaking proceedings to extend the effective date or to 
amend the regulation.
    Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and 
suggestions presented are particularly helpful in evaluating the 
effects of the rule, and in determining whether additional rulemaking 
is required. Comments are specifically invited on the overall 
regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related 
aspects of the rule which might suggest the need to modify the rule.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 71) removes the description of the Class E airspace at 
Gordonsville, VA, by removing that airspace designated for Gordonsville 
Municipal Airport. The SIAP serving the airport could no longer be 
supported by navigational aids and/or the airport runway and has been 
canceled. As a result the Gordonsville, VA Class E airspace is no 
longer required for the safety of instrument operations to the airport. 
Class E airspace designations for airspace 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 3, 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.
    Under the circumstances presented, the FAA concludes that the more 
restrictive Class E airspace at Gordonsville, VA is no longer supported 
and the flight rules pertinent to Class G airspace should apply. 
Accordingly, since this action merely reverts the Gordonsville, VA, 
Class E airspace to Class G and has no significant impact on aircraft 
operations at the Gordonsville Municipal Airport, notice and public 
procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary. Furthermore, to 
incorporate this change into the next sectional chart and avoid 
confusion on the part of pilots and to relieve restrictions that are no 
longer needed, I find that good cause exists, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(d), for making this

[[Page 56477]]

amendment effective as soon as possible.
    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 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 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, Incorporated 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--[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.


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 3, 2001 and effective September 16, 
2001, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

AEA VA E5 Gordonsville, VA [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Jamaica, New York on August 20, 2002.
John G. McCartney,
Acting Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Eastern Region.
[FR Doc. 02-22496 Filed 9-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M