[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 13, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27481-27483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-10414]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0417; Airspace Docket No. 08-AEA-20]


Modification of Class E Airspace; Roanoke, VA

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 Roanoke, 
VA. Additional airspace is necessary to allow for a lower vectoring 
altitude known as the Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA) for vectoring of 
both Visual Flight Rule (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) aircraft 
for spacing within 20 miles of Roanoke, VA. This action would enhance 
the safety and airspace management around the Roanoke Regional/Woodrum 
Field Airport area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 27, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule to: U. S. Department of 
Transportation,

[[Page 27482]]

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 2008-0417; 
Airspace Docket No. 08-AEA-20, 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-2008-0417; Airspace Docket No. 08-AEA-
20.'' 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 
Roanoke, VA. 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. Higher Minimum 
Vectoring Altitudes (MVAs) were established due to a change in FAA 
Order 8260.64, Criteria and Guidance for Radar Operations. That change 
recommends the FAA ``provide a 300 foot buffer above the floor of 
controlled airspace''. This Class E airspace modification would allow 
the FAA at Roanoke to satisfy that requirement and lower the MVA to a 
point to facilitate a better operation for intercepting the glide 
slopes and enhance the visual approach operation at the Roanoke 
Airport. 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 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, would 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 Roanoke, VA.

Lists 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 VA E5 Roanoke, VA [Revised]

    Roanoke Regional/Woodrum Field Airport, Roanoke, VA

[[Page 27483]]

    (Lat. 37[deg]19'32'' N., long. 79[deg]58'32'' W.)
    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
of the Earth within a 15-mile radius of Roanoke Regional/Woodrum 
Field Airport beginning at the 036 bearing from the airport, thence 
clockwise until the 128 bearing thence, within a 20-mile radius from 
the 128 bearing clockwise until the 273 bearing, thence direct to 
the point of beginning.
* * * * *

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on April 25, 2008.
Kathy Swann,
Acting Manager, System Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
 [FR Doc. E8-10414 Filed 5-12-08; 8:45 am]
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