[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 239 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70767-70768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-6019]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28601; Airspace Docket No. 07-AEA-02]


Establishment of Class D and E Airspace, Revision of Class E 
Airspace; Easton, MD

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class D, E2 and E4 airspace at Easton, 
MD to provide adequate airspace that will support the new Air Traffic 
Control Tower constructed at Easton Airport/Newnam Field. Increased 
safety and airspace management is enhanced through this rule by 
providing controlled airspace for Instrument Approaches and Instrument 
and Visual Flight Rule operations. This action also amends Class E5 
airspace at Easton, MD by imparting a technical correction to the 
airport's name.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, February 14, 2008. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daryl Daniels, Air Traffic Control 
Specialist, System Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal 
Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; 
telephone (404) 305-5581.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On September 6, 2007, the FAA published in the Federal Register an 
NPRM to establish Class D, E2, and E4 airspace and amend Class E5 
airspace at Easton, MD (72 FR 51203). Due to the volume and mix of 
aircraft operating at the airport, an Air Traffic Control Tower has 
been built with weather reporting capabilities at Easton Airport/Newnam 
Field which meets the criteria for Class D and E4 surface area 
airspace. Class D surface area airspace and Class E4 airspace 
designated as an extension to Class D surface airspace is required when 
the control tower is open to contain Standard Instrument Approach 
Procedures (SIAPs) and other Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations 
at the airport. Additionally, the Potomac Tracon receives the weather 
information and has the ability to communicate with aircraft on the 
ground at the airport, thus meeting the criteria for Class E2 airspace. 
Class E2 surface area airspace is required for safety reasons when the 
control tower is closed to contain SIAPs and other IFR operations at 
the airport. This action establishes that airspace.
    On May 25, 1993, the County Council of Talbot County voted to 
officially change the name of the Easton Municipal Airport to Easton 
Airport/Newnam Field honoring Mr. William S.D. Newnam, having served 
the county and the airport for forty years. That change was never 
completely forwarded to the proper authorities. This action corrects 
that oversight.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
No comments objecting to the proposal were received.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 establishes Class D Airspace extending upwards from the surface 
to and including 2,600 feet MSL within a 4.0-mile radius of the 
airport, Class E4 Airspace extension to Class D that is 5.4 miles wide 
and extends 7.4 miles northeast of the Easton Non Directional Beacon 
(NDB) and Class E2 airspace whose dimensions include both. This 
amendment also revises Class E5 Airspace to correctly identify the 
airports' name as Easton Airport/Newnam Field at Easton, MD.
    Class D and E2 Airspace Designations for Airspace Areas extending 
upward from the surface of the Earth, Class E4 Airspace Areas 
Designated as an Extension to a Class D Surface Area and Class E5 
Airspace Areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface 
of the Earth are published in Paragraphs 5000, 6002, 6004 and 6005 
respectively of FAA Order 7400.9R, signed August 15, 2007, and 
effective September 15, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class D and E Airspae designations listed in this 
document will be published subsequently in the Order.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among 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 only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
It, therefore, (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, when promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the 
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's 
authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the 
FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of 
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient 
use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority 
as it establishes controlled airspace at the Easton Airport/Newnam 
Field, Easton, MD.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (Air).

[[Page 70768]]

Adoption of the Amendment:

0
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration 
amends 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. 389.


Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.9R, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, signed August 15, 2007, effective September 15, 2007, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA MD D Easton, MD [NEW]

Easton Airport/Newnam Field, MD
    (Lat. 38[deg]48'15'' N., long. 76[deg]04'08'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.0-mile radius of the Easton Airport/Newnam 
Field. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific 
days and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective days and times will thereafter be continuously published 
in the Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AEA MD E2 Easton, MD [NEW]

Easton Airport/Newnam Field, MD
    (Lat. 38[deg]48'15'' N., long. 76[deg]04'08'' W.)
Easton NDB
    (Lat. 38[deg]48'17'' N., long. 76[deg]04'10'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.0-mile radius of the Easton Airport/Newnam 
Field and that airspace within 2.7 miles each side of the 038[deg] 
bearing from the Easton NDB extending from the 4.0 mile radius of 
the Easton Airport/Newnam Field to 7.4 miles northeast of the NDB. 
This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific days and 
times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective 
days and times will thereafter be continuously published in the 
Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D Surface Area.

* * * * *

AEA MD E4 Easton, MD [NEW]

Easton Airport/Newnam Field, MD
    (Lat. 38[deg]48'15'' N., long. 76[deg]04'08'' W.)
Easton NDB
    (Lat. 38[deg]48'17'' N., long. 76[deg]04'10'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 2.7 miles 
each side of the 038[deg] bearing from the Easton NDB extending from 
the 4.0-mile radius of the Easton Airport/Newnam Field to 7.4 miles 
northeast of the NDB. This Class E airspace area is effective during 
the specific days and times established in advance by a Notice to 
Airmen. The effective days and times will thereafter be continuously 
published in the Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

AEA MD E5 Easton, MD [REVISED]

Easton Airport/Newnam Field, MD
    (Lat. 38[deg]48'15'' N., long. 76[deg]04'08'' W.)
Easton NDB
    (Lat. 38[deg]48'17'' N., long. 76[deg]04'10'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
of the Earth within a 6.7-mile radius of the Easton Airport/Newnam 
Field and within 2.7 miles each side of the 038[deg] bearing from 
the Easton NDB extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 7.4 miles 
northeast of the NDB.
* * * * *

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on November 15, 2007.
Barry A. Knight,
Acting Manager, System Support Group, Eastern Service Center.
[FR Doc. 07-6019 Filed 12-12-07; 8:45 am]
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