[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62548-62549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-27752]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2003-16147; Airspace Docket No. 03-AGL-17]


Proposed Modification of Class D Airspace; Rapid City, SD

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:  Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to modify Class D airspace at Rapid 
City, SD. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Category E circling procedures 
have become necessary at Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, SD. Controlled 
airspace extending upward from the surface of the earth is needed to 
contain aircraft executing these approach procedures. This action would 
increase the area of the existing controlled airspace for Ellsworth 
AFB, Rapid City, SD.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 29, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal to the Docket Management 
System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify the docket 
Number FAA-2003-16147/Airspace Docket No. 03-AGL-17, at the beginning 
of your comments. You may also submit comments on the internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov. You may review the public docket containing the 
proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in 
the Dockets Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5527) 
is on the plaza level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF 
Building at the above address.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 
60018.

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:

Comments 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.

[[Page 62549]]

Communications should identify both docket numbers and be submitted in 
triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to 
acknowledge receipt of their comments on this document must submit with 
those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the 
following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. FAA-2003-16147/
Airspace Docket No. 03-AGL-17.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped 
and returned to the commenter. All communications received on or before 
the specified closing date for comments will 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

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents 
can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov 
or the Superintendent of Document's Web page at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
    Additionally, any person may obtain a copy of this notice by 
submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of 
Air Traffic Airspace Management, ATA-400, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-8783. Communications must 
identify both docket numbers for this notice. Persons interested in 
being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should contact the 
FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, to request a copy of 
Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Distribution 
System, which describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to modify 
Class D airspace at Rapid City, SD, for Ellsworth AFB. Controlled 
airspace extending upward from the surface of the earth is needed to 
contain aircraft executing instrument approach procedures. The area 
would be depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts. Class D airspace 
areas extending upward from the surface of the earth are published in 
paragraph 5000 of FAA Order 7400.9L dated September 2, 2003, and 
effective September 16, 2003, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
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 establishment 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 7400.9L, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 2, 2003, and effective September 16, 
2003, is amended as follows:
* * * * *

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.

AGL SDD Rapid City Ellsworth AFB, SD [Revised]

Rapid City, Ellsworth AFB, SD
    (Lat. 44[deg]08'42'' N., long. 103[deg]06'13'' W.)
Rapid City Regional Airport, SD
    (Lat. 44[deg]02[min]43[sec] N., long 103[deg]03[min]27[sec] W

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
5,800 feet MSL and within a 5.9-mile radius of Ellsworth AFB to the 
Rapid City Regional Airport 4.4-mile radius, excluding that airspace 
south of a line between the intersection of the Ellsworth AFB 4.7-
mile radius and the Rapid City Regional Airport 4.4-mile radius. 
This Class D airspace 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 Des Plaines, Illinois on October 9, 2003.
Nancy B. Shelton,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 03-27752 Filed 11-4-03; 8:45 am]
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