[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 1, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30818-30819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12326]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2004-17723; Airspace Docket No. 04-ACE-35]


Modification of Class E Airspace; North Platte, NE

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action amends title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, part 
71 (14 CFR 71) by revising Class E airspace areas at North Platte, NE. 
A review of the Class E airspace surface area and the Class E airspace 
area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at North Platte, 
NE, reveals that neither reflects the current North Platte Regional 
Airport Lee Bird Field airport reference point (ARP) and neither 
complies with criteria for diverse departures. These airspace areas are 
enlarged and modified to conform to FAA Orders.

DATES: This direct final rule is effective on 0901 UTC, September 30, 
2004. Comments for inclusion in the Rules docket must be received on or 
before July 27, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 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-2004-17723/Airspace Docket No. 04-ACE-35, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Mumper, Air Traffic Division, 
Airspace Branch, ACE-520A, DOT Regional Headquarters Building, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone 
(816) 329-2524.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment to 14 CFR 71 modifies the 
Class E surface area and Class E airspace area extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface at North Platte, NE. An examination of 
controlled airspace for North Platte, NE revealed that the North Platte 
Regional Airport Lee Bird Field ARP used in the legal descriptions for 
both Class E airspace areas is incorrect. Also, neither airspace area 
complies with airspace requirements for diverse departures as set forth 
in FAA Order 7400.2E, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters. The 
North Platte, NE Class E surface area is increased from a 4.6-mile 
radius to a 5.4-mile radius of North Platte Regional Airport Lee Bird 
Field, thereby eliminating the need for an extension to the Class E 
surface area. The Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface is increased from a 7.1-mile radius to an 8.4-mile 
radius of North Platte Regional Airport Lee Bird Field in order to 
comply with the criteria for 700 feet AGL airspace required for diverse 
departures. These modifications bring the legal descriptions of the 
North Platte, NE Class E airspace areas into

[[Page 30819]]

compliance with FAA Order 7400.2E. Class E airspace areas designated as 
surface areas are published in Paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9L, 
dated September 2, 2003, and effective September 26, 2003, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. Class E airspace areas 
extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth 
are published in Paragraph 6005 of the same Order. The Class E airspace 
designations listed in this document would 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. 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

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this 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 
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 notice must submit with those comments a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. FAA-2004-17723/Airspace Docket No. 04-ACE-
35.'' The postcard will be date/time 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 reasons 
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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.9L, dated September 2, 2003, and effective 
September 16, 2003, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ACE NE E2 North Platte, NE

North Platte Regional Airport Lee Bird Field, NE
    (Lat. 41[deg]07'34'' N., long. 100[deg]41'01'' W.)

    Within a 5.4-mile radius of North Platte Regional Airport Lee 
Bird Field.
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

ACE NE E5 North Platte, NE

North Platte Regional Airport Lee Bird Field, NE
    (Lat. 41[deg]07'34'' N., long. 100[deg]41'01'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 8.4-mile radius of North Platte Regional Airport Lee Bird 
Field.
* * * * *

    Issued in Kansas City, MO, on May 18, 2004.
Paul J. Sheridan,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Central Region.
[FR Doc. 04-12326 Filed 5-28-04; 8:45 am]
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