[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 90 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26047-26048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9852]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0308; Airspace Docket No. 08-AEA-19]


Modification of Class E Airspace; Rome, NY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify Class E Airspace at Rome, NY. 
Additional airspace is necessary to support the amendment of the 
current Terminal Visual Flight Rule (VFR) Radar Service Area (TRSA) and 
to allow for a lower vectoring altitude known as the Minimum Vectoring 
Altitude (MVA) for vectoring of both VFR and Instrument Flight Rule 
(IFR) aircraft around the Rome, NY area. This action would enhance the 
safety and airspace management around the Griffiss Airport area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 23, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001; Telephone: 1-
800-647-5527; Fax: 202-493-2251. You must identify the Docket Number 
FAA-2008-0308; Airspace Docket No. 08-AEA-19, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit and review received comments through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    You may review the public docket containing the rule, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office 
(see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 
30337.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daryl Daniels, Airspace Specialist, 
System Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization, 
Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 
30320; telephone (404) 305-5610.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule 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. Those 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-2008-0308; Airspace Docket No. 08-AEA-
19.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter. All communications received before the specified closing 
date for comments will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received. A report summarizing each substantive 
public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will 
be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from and 
comments submitted through http://www.regulations.gov. Recently 
published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's 
Web page at http://www.faa.gov or the Federal Register's Web page at 
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. 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 Part 71 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (14 CFR Part 71) to modify Class E airspace at 
Rome, NY. On January 1, 2007, the Oneida County Airport, Utica, NY was 
permanently closed and operations moved to the Griffiss Airfield. 
Airspace in this area was modified as published in the Federal Register 
on September 7, 2007 (72 FR 51357). Analysis of operations has 
determined that there is a need for additional Class E5 airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the Earth to 
enhance the management, safety and efficiency of air traffic services 
in the area. The local area Terminal VFR Radar Service Area (TRSA) is 
being revised and there is a requirement for the base of the TRSA to 
not be below the associated Class E airspace. This modification would 
satisfy that requirement. Class E airspace designations for airspace 
areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the 
Earth are published in Paragraph 6005 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 E airspace 
designation listed in this document would be published subsequently in 
the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical

[[Page 26048]]

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 proposed 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 proposes to modify Class E airspace at Rome, NY.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (Air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, 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 will continue 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9R, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, signed August 15, 2007, effective September 15, 2007, 
is proposed to be amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

AEA NY E5 Rome, NY [Revised]

Griffiss Airfield, NY
    (Lat. 43[deg]14'02'' N, long. 75[deg]24'25'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
of the Earth within a 15-mile radius of Griffiss Airfield and within 
a 26-mile radius of the airport extending clockwise from a 125[deg] 
bearing to a 200[deg] bearing from the airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on April 22, 2008.
Lynda G. Otting,
Acting Manager, System Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. E8-9852 Filed 5-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M