[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 154 (Thursday, August 11, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46754-46758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15855]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18612; Airspace Docket No. 04-AWA-05]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of the Los Angeles Class B Airspace Area; CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Los Angeles (LAX), CA, Class B 
airspace. Specifically, this action expands the eastern boundary of the 
airspace to ensure containment of the LAX Standard Terminal Arrival 
Routes (STAR), and correct the inefficiencies of several existing areas 
identified during public meetings and Southern California TRACON (SCT) 
reviews of the airspace. The FAA is taking this action to improve the 
flow of air traffic, enhance safety, and reduce the potential for 
midair collision in the LAX Class B airspace, while accommodating the 
concerns of airspace users. Further, this effort supports the FAA's 
national airspace redesign goal of optimizing terminal and en route 
airspace to reduce aircraft delays and improve system capacity.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, December 22, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules, 
Office of System Operations and Safety, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 24, 2005, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to modify the LAX Class B airspace area 
(70 FE 15022). The FAA proposed this action to improve several areas 
where boundary locations and identification could be enhanced, and 
modified several areas to ensure the containment of arrivals within the 
LAX Class B airspace. Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. 
In response to the notice, the FAA received four written comments. All 
comments received were considered before making a determination on the 
final rule. An analysis of the comments received and the FAA's 
responses are summarized in the ``Discussion of Comments'' section.

Discussion of Comments

    The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) cited the work of 
the Southern California Airspace User Working Group (SCAUWG) and the 
collaborative efforts of the FAA in developing this rule. They pointed 
out that the overall modifications will prove beneficial to the general 
aviation community and result in a reduction of approximately 100 
square miles of existing Class B airspace.
    The Airline Pilots Association, International endorsed the proposal 
stating ``This is a significant improvement to the current Class B 
airspace.''
    The FAA agrees with these comments. The modifications will improve 
the flow of air traffic, enhance safety, and reduce the potential for 
midair collision in the LAX Class B airspace, while accommodating the 
concerns of airspace users.
    One commenter stated it would be helpful for General Aviation 
pilots if the FAA reinstated (with multiple altitudes) a shoreline 
transition, so that we don't have to lose Flight following to transit 
LAX airspace, and then re-establish it on the other side. The commenter 
stated, ``I think it would decrease the workload for both pilots and 
controllers, and increase safety.''
    The FAA agrees. In concert with the SCAUWG, the Shoreline Route has 
been redesigned to allow uninterrupted transitions where pilots can 
retain Flight Following at all times. This change should become 
effective on or before the revised LAX Class B airspace becomes 
effective.
    One commenter suggested the FAA use approach and climb corridors, 
and eliminate the need for taking 3000 square miles away from general 
aviation to free an airport from traffic.
    The FAA does not agree. If the FAA adopted a rule in which only 
approach and climb corridors were used in the LAX Class B airspace, it 
would result in a reduced air traffic control capability to maintain an 
efficient flow of air traffic

[[Page 46755]]

into and out of LAX area airports. Most certainly, the use of corridors 
alone would result in a drop in capacity in the LAX area because of the 
different performance characteristics of the various aircraft flying 
into and out of the area.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Aviation Regulations 
(14 CFR) part 71 to modify the LAX Class B airspace. Specifically, this 
action expands the eastern boundary to ensure the containment of the 
LAX STAR's within Class B airspace and reconfigures several existing 
areas, correcting areas of inefficiencies identified during public 
meeting and during reviews of the existing Class B airspace by SCT. 
These modifications reduce the overall size of the LAX Class B 
airspace, improve the containment of turbo-jet aircraft within the 
airspace, and improve the alignment of lateral boundaries with VOR 
radials and visual landmarks for improved VFR navigation. The following 
are the revisions for each area of the LAX Class B airspace:
    Area A: The east/west line along the northwestern boundary will be 
aligned to the SMO 267 radial to provide redundant reference for VFR 
navigation, and allow VFR aircraft to transition along the shoreline at 
Point Dume.
    Area B: No change.
    Area C: The east/west and northwest/southeast lines along the 
southern boundary will be aligned with the SLI 315 radial and PDZ 267 
radial providing a redundant reference for VFR navigation.
    Area D: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be 
aligned with the PDZ 267 radial to provide redundant reference for VFR 
navigation.
    Area E: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be 
aligned with the PDZ 267 radial, and the northern boundary aligned with 
the SMO 086 radial. The eastern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 
347 radial. This modification will align the eastern boundary with 
existing VOR radials to provide redundant reference for VFR navigation, 
and lowers the floor to 7000 feet, ensuring containment of aircraft 
descending on the LAX profile.
    Area F: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be 
aligned with the with the PDZ 267 radial, and the northern boundary 
aligned with the SMO 086 radial. The western boundary will be aligned 
with Block E of the Class B airspace along the ELB 347 radial. The 
eastern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 357 radial. These 
modifications will align the boundaries with existing VOR radials 
providing a redundant reference for VFR navigation, and lower the floor 
to 8000 feet, ensuring containment of aircraft descending on the LAX 
profile.
    Area G: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be 
aligned with the PDZ 267 radial, and the northern boundary aligned with 
the SMO 086 radial. The western boundary will be aligned with Block F 
along the ELB 357 radial. The eastern boundary will be aligned with the 
ELB 007 radial, and the POM 127 radial. The modifications will align 
the boundaries with existing VOR radials providing a redundant 
reference for VFR navigation. This area will expand the existing LAX 
Class B airspace slightly to ensure containment of aircraft descending 
on the LAX profile.
    Area H: The east/west and northwest/southeast lines along the 
northern boundary will be aligned with the SLI 315 radial and PDZ 267 
radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation.
    Area I: The east/west line along the northern boundary will be 
aligned with the PDZ 267 radial to provide a redundant reference for 
VFR navigation.
    Area J: The southern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 241 
radial. The eastern boundary will be shortened to end at the ELB 241 
radial. The western boundaries will be realigned to the LAX 142 radial 
and the LGB extended runway 16R centerline. These modifications will 
align the boundaries with existing VOR radials where possible, 
providing a redundant reference for VFR navigation.
    Area K: The southern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 263 
radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation, and the 
eastern boundary will be realigned with the LGB extended runway 16R 
centerline.
    Area L: The southern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 263 
radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation.
    Area M: The northern boundaries will be aligned with the SMO 267 
radial and VNY 235 radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR 
navigation.
    Area N: The western boundary will be aligned with the VNY 235 
radial. The southern boundary aligned with the SMO 267 radial. These 
modifications align the boundaries with existing VOR radials to provide 
a redundant reference for VFR navigation.

Regulatory Evaluation Summary

    Final Rule changes to Federal Regulations must undergo several 
economic analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 directs that each 
Federal agency shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned 
determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its 
costs. Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires agencies to 
analyze the economic effect of regulatory changes on small entities. 
Third, the Office of Management and Budget directs agencies to assess 
the effect of regulatory changes on small entities changes on 
international trade. In conducting these analyses, the FAA has 
determined that this final rule: (1) Will generate benefits that 
justify its minimal costs and is not ``a significant regulatory 
action'' as defined in the Executive Order; (2) is not significant as 
defined in the Department of Transportation's Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures; (3) will not have a significant impact on a substantial 
number of small entities; (4) will not constitute a barrier to 
international trade; and (5) will not contain any Federal 
intergovernmental or private sector mandate. These analyses are 
summarized below in the docket.
    This final rule will modify the Los Angeles, CA, Class B airspace. 
The rule will expend the eastern boundary of the airspace, and alter 
several existing airspace.

Final Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) establishes ``as a 
principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall endeavor, 
consistent with the objective of the rule and of applicable statues, to 
fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale of the 
business, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions subject to 
regulation.'' To achieve that principle, the RFA requires agencies to 
solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain the 
rationale for their actions. The RFA covers a wide-range of small 
entities, including small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and 
small governmental jurisdictions.
    Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a proposed or 
final rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. If the agency determines that it will, the 
agency must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in 
the RFA.
    However, if an agency determines that a proposed or final rule is 
not expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities, section 605(b) of the RFA provides that the 
head of the agency may so certify and a regulatory flexibility analysis 
is not required. The certification must include a statement

[[Page 46756]]

providing the factual basis for this determination, and the reasoning 
should be clear.
    The FAA has determined, since Class B airspace is already in place 
in the LAX terminal area, and the modifications in this rule are not a 
major expansion, but rather a contraction of Class B airspace, minimal 
costs would result. Consequently, the FAA certifies that the rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
aircraft manufacturers.

International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 prohibits Federal agencies from 
establishing any standards or engaging in related activities that 
create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United 
States. Legitimate domestic objectives, such as safety, are not 
considered unnecessary obstacles. The statute also requires 
consideration of international standards and, where appropriate, that 
they be the basis for U.S. standards.
    The FAA has assessed the potential effect of this final rule and 
determined that it will have only a domestic impact and thefore no 
effect on any trade-sensitive activity.

Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (the Act) is intended, 
among other things, to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal 
mandates on State, local, and tribal governments. Title II of the Act 
requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement assessing 
the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final agency rule 
that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more (adjusted 
annually for inflation) in any one year by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate 
is deemed to be a ``significant regulatory action.'' The FAA currently 
uses an inflation-adjusted value of $120.7 million in lieu of $100 
million.
    This final rule does not contain such a mandate. The requirements 
of Title II do not apply.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-
511), there are no requirements for information collection associated 
with this action.

Conclusion

    In view of the minimal or zero cost of compliance of this action 
and the enhancements to operational efficiency, the FAA has determined 
that this action would be cost-beneficial.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Amendment

0
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration 
proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR 
TRAFFIC SERVICE 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. 289.


Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9M, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 30, 2004, and effective September 16, 
2004, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 3000 Subpart B--Class B Airspace.

* * * * *

AWP CA B Los Angeles, CA [Revised]

Los Angeles International Airport (Primary Airport)
    (lat. 33[deg]56'55'' N., long. 118[deg]24'49'' W.)

Area A. That airspace extending upward from the surface to 10,000 feet
 MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]59'50'' N., long. 118[deg]44'43'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]00'23'' N., long. 118[deg]32'33'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]57'42'' N., long. 118[deg]27'23'' W. Ballone Creek/Pacific
 Ocean
Lat. 33[deg]57'42'' N., long. 118[deg]22'10'' W. Manchester/405 Fwy
Lat. 34[deg]01'00'' N., long. 118[deg]15'00'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]55'48'' N., long. 118[deg]13'52'' W. SLI 315 12.4 DME
Lat. 33[deg]55'51'' N., long. 118[deg]26'05'' W. Imperial Hwy/Pacific
 Ocean
Lat. 33[deg]45'34'' N., long. 118[deg]27'01'' W. LIMBO intersection
Lat. 33[deg]45'14'' N., long. 118[deg]32'29'' W. INISH intersection
to point of beginning.
 
Area B. That airspace extending upward from 2,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 34[deg]01'00'' N., long. 118[deg]15'00'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]00'01'' N., long. 118[deg]07'58'' W. Garfield/Washington
 Blvd
Lat. 33[deg]56'10'' N., long. 118[deg]07'21'' W. Stonewood Center
Lat. 33[deg]55'48'' N., long. 118[deg]13'52'' W. SLI 315 12.4 DME
to point of beginning.
 
Area C. That airspace extending upward from 2,500 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 34[deg]57'42'' N., long. 118[deg]22'10'' W. Manchester/405 Fwy
Lat. 34[deg]00'20'' N., long. 118[deg]23'05'' W. West Los Angeles
 College
Lat. 34[deg]02'49'' N., long. 118[deg]21'48'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]06'00'' N., long. 118[deg]14'24'' W. Railroad Freight Yard
Lat. 34[deg]06'00'' N., long. 118[deg]11'23'' W. Ernest E. Debs Regional
 Park
Lat. 34[deg]02'03'' N., long. 118[deg]03'39'' W. Legg Lake
Lat. 33[deg]58'40'' N., long. 118[deg]01'49'' W. Whittier College
Lat. 33[deg]53'44'' N., long. 118[deg]01'52'' W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME
Lat. 33[deg]53'17'' N., long. 118[deg]10'50'' W. Dominguez High School
Lat. 33[deg]55'48'' N., long. 118[deg]13'52'' W. SLI 315 12.4 DME
Lat. 33[deg]56'10'' N., long. 118[deg]07'21'' W. Stonewood Center
Lat. 34[deg]00'01'' N., long. 118[deg]07'58'' W. Garfield/Washington
 Blvd
Lat. 34[deg]01'00'' N., long. 118[deg]15'00'' W.
to point of beginning.
 
Area D. That airspace extending upward from 4,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

[[Page 46757]]

 
Lat. 34[deg]06'00'' N., long. 118[deg]11'23'' W. Ernest E. Bebs Regional
 Park
Lat. 34[deg]00'45'' N., long. 117[deg]54'03'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]57'40'' N., long. 117[deg]53'35'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]54'04'' N., long. 117[deg]54'35'' W. Brea Municipal Golf
 Course
Lat. 33[deg]53'44'' N., long. 118[deg]01'52'' W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME
Lat. 33[deg]58'40'' N., long. 118[deg]01'49'' W. Whittier College
Lat. 34[deg]02'03'' N., long. 118[deg]03'39'' W. Legg Lake
to point of beginning.
 
Area E. That airspace extending upward from 7,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]54'00'' N., long. 117[deg]54'35'' W. Brea Municipal Golf
 Course
Lat. 33[deg]54'23'' N., long. 117[deg]47'42'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]02'42'' N., long. 117[deg]50'00'' W. Mt. San Antonio College
Lat. 34[deg]02'22'' N., long. 117[deg]59'23'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]02'22'' N., long. 117[deg]59'23'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]00'45'' N., long. 117[deg]54'03'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]57'40'' N., long. 117[deg]53'35'' W.
to point of beginning.
 
Area F. That airspace extending upward from 8,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]54'23'' N., long. 117[deg]47'42'' W. PDZ 267 ELB 347
Lat. 33[deg]54'31'' N., long. 117[deg]44'45'' W. PDZ 267 ELB 357
Lat. 34[deg]02'57'' N., long. 117[deg]45'16'' W. SMO 086 ELB 357
Lat. 34[deg]02'42'' N., long. 117[deg]50'00'' W. SMO 086 Mt. San Antonio
 College
to point of beginning.
 
Area G. That airspace extending upward from 9,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]54'31'' N., long. 117[deg]44'45'' W. PDZ 267 ELB 357
Lat. 33[deg]54'39'' N., long. 117[deg]41'48'' W. PDZ 267 ELB 007
Lat. 34[deg]00'44'' N., long. 117[deg]40'54'' W. ELB 007 POM 127
Lat. 34[deg]02'59'' N., long. 117[deg]44'29'' W. SMO 086 POM 127
Lat. 34[deg]02'57'' N., long. 117[deg]45'16'' W. SMO 086 ELB 357
to point of beginning.
 
Area H. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]53'44'' N., long. 118[deg]01'52'' W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME
Lat. 33[deg]47'00'' N., long. 118[deg]03'17'' W. Seal Beach VORTAC Los
 Alamitos AFRC
Lat. 33[deg]46'40'' N., long. 118[deg]08'53'' W. SLI 266 4.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]45'34'' N., long. 118[deg]27'01'' W. LIMBO Intersection
Lat. 33[deg]55'51'' N., long. 118[deg]26'05'' W. Imperial Hwy/Pacific
 Ocean
Lat. 33[deg]55'48'' N., long. 118[deg]13'52'' W. SLI 315 12.4 DME
Lat. 33[deg]53'17'' N., long. 118[deg]10'50'' W. Dominguez High School
to point of beginning.
 
Area I. That airspace extending upward from 6,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]54'04'' N., long. 117[deg]54'35'' W. Brea Municipal Golf
 Course
Lat. 33[deg]47'23'' N., long. 117[deg]57'40'' W. Garden Grove Mall
Lat. 33[deg]47'00'' N., long. 118[deg]03'17'' W. Seal Beach VORACT/Los
 Alamitos AFRC
Lat. 33[deg]53'44'' N., long. 118[deg]01'52'' W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME
to point of beginning.
 
Area J. That airspace extending upward from 7,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]47'23'' N., long. 117[deg]57'40'' W. Garden Grove Mall
Lat. 33[deg]35'52'' N., long. 117[deg]53'59'' W. Newport Bay/ELB 241 9.7
 DME
Lat. 33[deg]31'34'' N., long. 118[deg]03'11'' W. ELB 241 18.5 DME
Lat. 33[deg]37'56'' N., long. 118[deg]09'04'' W. LAX 142 22.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]46'56'' N., long. 118[deg]08'53'' W. SLI 266 4.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]47'00'' N., long. 118[deg]03'17'' W. Seal Beach VORTAC/Los
 Alamitos AFRC
to point of beginning.
 
Area K. That airspace extending upward from 8,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]37'56'' N., long. 118[deg]09'04'' W. LAX 142 22.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]36'09'' N., long. 118[deg]25'38'' W. ELB 263 35.1 DME
Lat. 33[deg]45'34'' N., long. 118[deg]27'01'' W. LIMBO Intersection
Lat. 33[deg]46'40'' N., long. 118[deg]08'53'' W. SLI 266 4.7 DME
to point of beginning.
 
Area L. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]36'09'' N., long. 118[deg]25'38'' W. ELB 263 35.1 DME
Lat. 33[deg]35'11'' N., long. 118[deg]34'31'' W. ELB 263 42.6 DME
Lat. 33[deg]44'27'' N., long. 118[deg]42'23'' W. SLI 266 32.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]45'14'' N., long. 118[deg]32'29'' W. INISH Intersection
Lat. 33[deg]45'34'' N., long. 118[deg]27'01'' W. LIMBO Intersection
to point of beginning.
 
Area M. That airspace extending upward from 2,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]44'27'' N., long. 118[deg]42'23'' W. SLI 266 32.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]58'48'' N., long. 118[deg]54'27'' W. VNY 235 25.3 DME
Lat. 33[deg]59'26'' N., long. 118[deg]53'23'' W. VNY 235 SMO 267
Lat. 33[deg]59'50'' N., long. 118[deg]44'43'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]45'14'' N., long. 118[deg]32'29'' W. INISH Intersection

[[Page 46758]]

 
to point of beginning.
 
Area N. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to and
 including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]59'26'' N., long. 118[deg]53'23'' W. VNY 235 24.2 DME
Lat. 34[deg]06'00'' N., long. 118[deg]42'12'' W. VNY 235 12.9 DME
Lat. 34[deg]06'00'' N., long. 118[deg]14'24'' W. Railroad Freight Yard
Lat. 34[deg]02'49'' N., long. 118[deg]21'48'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]00'20'' N., long. 118[deg]23'05'' W. West Los Angeles
 College
Lat. 33[deg]57'42'' N., long. 118[deg]22'10'' W. Manchester/405 Fwy
Lat. 33[deg]57'42'' N., long. 118[deg]27'23'' W. Ballona Creek/Pacific
 Ocean
Lat. 34[deg]00'23'' N., long. 118[deg]32'33'' W. SMO 267 4.3 DME
Lat. 33[deg]59'50'' N., long. 118[deg]44'43'' W.
to point of beginning.
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington DC, on August 4, 2005.
Edith V. Parish,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules.
[FR Doc. 05-15855 Filed 8-10-05:8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M