[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 37 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8740-8741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4074]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1334; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASO-21]


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Roanoke Rapids, NC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E Airspace at Roanoke Rapids, NC, to 
accommodate Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Halifax 
County Airport. The controlled airspace previously associated with this 
airport was removed in anticipation of the airport's scheduled closure. 
The closure of Halifax County Airport has been delayed because the 
opening of its replacement, Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport, has 
been delayed. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and 
management of SIAPs and for Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations to 
the airport.

DATES: Effective: 0901 UTC, February 26, 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, System Support Group, 
Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 
20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-5581.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On July 18, 2008, the FAA published a final rule in the Federal 
Register removing Class E airspace at Halifax County Airport, Roanoke 
Rapids, NC, and establishing Class E airspace at the new Halifax-
Northampton Regional Airport (73 FR 41255). The FAA has learned that 
the effective date was premature causing the removal of controlled 
airspace that is needed to support IFR operations at Halifax County 
Airport. This action restores that controlled Class E airspace required 
for IFR operations at Halifax County Airport. The Class E airspace that 
was established for the Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport remains in 
effect, although the airport is not expected to become operational 
until around March 12, 2009. Designations for Class E airspace areas 
extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth 
are published in FAA Order 7400.9S, signed October 3, 2008, and 
effective October 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR part 71.1. The Class E designations listed in this document will be 
published subsequently in the Order.
    In consideration of the need to provide and resume immediate IFR 
operations at Halifax County Airport until its closure, to avoid 
confusion on the part of the pilots because of the dates of Chart 
publications in the vicinity of Roanoke Rapids, NC, and to be 
consistent with the FAA's safety mandate when an unsafe condition 
exists, the FAA finds that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b) are impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and finds 
good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d), for making this imperative 
amendment effective in less than 30 days to promote the safe and 
efficient handling of air traffic in the area.

[[Page 8741]]

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 amends Class E airspace at Roanoke Rapids, NC, to provide 
additional controlled airspace required to support the SIAPs for 
Halifax County Airport, Roanoke Rapids, NC.
    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 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 provides Class E airspace at Halifax County Airport, Roanoke 
Rapids, NC.

Lists 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 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 7400.9S, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated October 3, 2008, and effective October 31, 2008, is 
amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

ASO NC E5 Roanoke Rapids, NC [AMENDED]

Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport, NC
    (Lat. 36[deg]19'47'' N., long. 77[deg]38'07'' W.)
Halifax County Airport, NC
    (Lat. 36[deg]26'23'' N., long. 77[deg]42'34'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
of the Earth within a 6.5-mile radius of Halifax-Northampton 
Regional Airport and that airspace within a 7.0-mile radius of 
Halifax County Airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on February 19, 2009.
Barry A. Knight,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. E9-4074 Filed 2-25-09; 8:45 am]
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