[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 22, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62879-62880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-25057]


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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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E Airspace at Roanoke, Virginia 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 within 20 miles of Roanoke, VA. 
This action will enhance the safety and airspace management around the 
Roanoke Regional/Woodrum Field Airport area.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, January 15, 2009. 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, Airspace Specialist, 
System Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization, 
Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 
30320; telephone (404) 305-5581.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On May 13, 2008, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
proposal to amend Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 
by modifying Class E airspace at Roanoke, VA (73 FR 27481). Analysis of 
operations at Roanoke, Virginia determined 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. This action is in response to higher Minimum 
Vectoring Altitudes (MVAs) that were established due to a change in FAA 
Order 8260.64, Criteria and Guidance for Radar Operations.
    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.

[[Page 62880]]

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 modifies Class E airspace at Roanoke, VA, allowing for the 
vectoring altitude to be lowered and to encompass a 20 mile radius of 
the Roanoke Regional/Woodrum Field Airport to accord with the revision 
of FAA Order 8260.64, Criteria and Guidance for Radar Operations for 
the establishment of MVAs. This Class E airspace modification allows 
the FAA to facilitate a better operation for intercepting the glide 
slopes and enhance the visual approach operation at Roanoke Regional/
Woodrum Field 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 will be published subsequently in the Order.
    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, 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 modifies Class E airspace at Roanoke, VA.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (Air).

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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND 
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

0
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]

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 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 (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[deg] bearing from the airport, 
thence clockwise until the 128[deg] bearing, thence, within a 20-
mile radius from the 128[deg] bearing clockwise until the 273[deg] 
bearing, thence direct to the point of beginning.
* * * * *

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on October 8, 2008.
Barry A. Knight,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. E8-25057 Filed 10-21-08; 8:45 am]
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