[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 16, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47495-47500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22344]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 71 and 93

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0837; Airspace Docket No. 09-AWA-2; Notice No. 09-
11]
RIN 2120-AJ59


Proposed Modification of the New York, NY, Class B Airspace Area; 
and Proposed Establishment of the New York Class B Airspace Hudson 
River and East River Exclusion Special Flight Rules Area

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to make a minor modification to the New 
York,

[[Page 47496]]

NY, Class B airspace area by adjusting the floor of Class B airspace 
above a portion of the Hudson River to 1,300 feet above mean sea level 
(MSL). Additionally, this action proposes to establish a Special Flight 
Rules Area (SFRA) over the Hudson River and East River to mandate 
certain pilot operating practices for flight within the Hudson River 
and East River Class B airspace Exclusions. The FAA is proposing this 
action to enhance the safety of flight operations in the New York Class 
B airspace Exclusion areas.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 16, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments identified by Docket Number FAA-2009-
0837 using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W12-
140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
    For more information on the rulemaking process, see the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.
    Privacy: We will post all comments we receive, without change, to 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. Using the search function of our docket Web site, anyone can 
find and read the electronic form of all comments received into any of 
our dockets, including the name of the individual sending the comment 
(or signing the comment for an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you 
may visit http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
    Docket: To read background documents or comments received, go to 
http://www.regulations.gov at any time and follow the online 
instructions for accessing the docket, or, the Docket Operations in 
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning 
this proposed rule, contact Paul Gallant, Airspace and Rules Group, 
Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.
    For legal questions concerning this proposed rule, contact Lorelei 
Peter, Office of the Chief Counsel, AGC-220, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone (202) 267-3134.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Later in this preamble under the Additional Information section, we 
discuss how you can comment on this proposal and how we will handle 
your comments. Included in this discussion is related information about 
the docket, privacy, and the handling of proprietary or confidential 
business information. We also discuss how you can get a copy of related 
rulemaking documents.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 the 
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient 
use of airspace.

Background

    On August 8, 2009, a midair collision occurred between a helicopter 
and a single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft operating in accordance with 
visual flight rules (VFR) over the Hudson River near Hoboken, New 
Jersey. This accident prompted the FAA and the National Transportation 
Safety Board (NTSB) to examine the airspace configuration and pilot 
procedures that apply in the vicinity of the incident.
    There are three major airports in the New York City area: John F. 
Kennedy International Airport (JFK); Newark Liberty International 
Airport (EWR): and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The FAA has designated the 
airspace surrounding the three airports as Class B airspace. Class B 
airspace is designated to enhance safety around airports with high 
density air traffic operations. An air traffic control (ATC) clearance 
is required to enter Class B airspace and, with limited exceptions, all 
aircraft operating in the area must be equipped with a two-way radio 
and an operational transponder. ATC provides separation to aircraft 
operating within the Class B airspace area.
    The New York Class B airspace area originated in 1971 when the FAA 
issued a final rule establishing a terminal control area (TCA) around 
the above mentioned airports (36 FR 13376 July 21, 1971). In 1991, the 
term ``TCA'' was replaced with ``Class B airspace'' as part of the 
Airspace Reclassification rule (56 FR 65638, December 17, 1991) which 
harmonized United States airspace classifications with the terminology 
used by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The 
original TCA airspace configuration for these airports was developed 
with considerable public input. Concerns were expressed to the FAA 
regarding the impact of the new airspace on operations by general 
aviation users, police, fire and Coast Guard rescue activities, 
helicopter operators and seaplane operators. A workgroup was formed to 
address these concerns and as a result, the FAA decided to raise the 
floor of certain subareas near EWR and LGA to 1,100 feet MSL over the 
Hudson River and the East River to provide more accessible airspace for 
the above-described operations. These areas are commonly referred to as 
the Hudson River Exclusion and the East River Exclusion. The 
configuration of the New York Class B airspace area has essentially 
remained the same since designated as a TCA in 1971. The volume of air 
traffic in the area, however, has grown significantly since that time.
    The Hudson River Exclusion extends along the Hudson River between 
the vicinity of the George Washington Bridge, on the north, and the 
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on the south. The exclusion extends from the 
surface of the Hudson River up to the base of the overlying New York 
Class B airspace area. Currently, the floor of Class B airspace along 
the Hudson River varies between an altitude above 1,100 feet MSL and 
1,500 feet MSL. The exclusion effectively is a ``cutout'' from the New 
York Class B airspace area and permits pilots to fly through the area 
without an ATC clearance.
    The East River Class B Exclusion extends between the east and west 
banks of the East River from Governors Island to the north tip of 
Roosevelt Island. The exclusion extends from the surface of the river 
up to the base of the overlying Class B airspace. This proposal would 
not alter or amend the

[[Page 47497]]

configuration of the East River Exclusion.
    Aeronautical charts that depict the New York Class B airspace area 
carry a note advising pilots that a high density of uncontrolled 
helicopter and fixed wing traffic operate in the Hudson River and East 
River Class B Exclusions. The note also requests that all aircraft 
self-announce their positions on the appropriate radio frequency as 
noted on the charts. The charts alert pilots to the heavy concentration 
of air tour operations in the vicinity of the Statue of Liberty and 
Ellis Island. Additionally, the charts provide voluntary procedures 
that are in effect for aircraft operating in the Hudson and East River 
exclusions. These procedures request that aircraft operating in the 
area:
     Not exceed 140 knots indicated airspeed;
     Turn on anticollision, position, navigation and/or landing 
lights; and
     Self announce on frequency 123.075 for the East River and 
123.05 for the Hudson River.
    These recommended procedures do not relieve pilots of compliance 
with applicable Federal regulations, including regulations covering 
minimum safe altitudes.
    As a result of the August 8, 2009 accident, the FAA issued Notice 
to Airmen (NOTAM) number 9/3952 encouraging pilots to follow the 
recommended procedures described above. The FAA also formed a task 
force to review current procedures for VFR flight operations in the New 
York City area. A goal of the review was to identify safety 
enhancements to flight operations in the Hudson River area. The 
proposals in this notice respond to recommendations of the FAA's task 
force, including recommendations to amend 14 CFR part 93 to establish 
an SFRA covering the Hudson River and East River Exclusions and to 
define operational procedures for use within the SFRA. Additionally, an 
NTSB investigation of the accident is currently ongoing. Based on 
preliminary findings, the NTSB issued a number of recommendations that 
are similar to those developed by the FAA task force. This notice also 
responds to those recommendations. A copy of the ``Review of New York 
Visual Flight Rules Airspace: Task Force Report,'' dated August 28, 
2009, has been placed in this rulemaking docket.

Discussion of the Proposals

14 CFR Part 71

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to modify portions of the New York, NY, 
Class B airspace area in order to establish a uniform Class B airspace 
floor of 1,300 feet MSL above the Hudson River Class B Exclusion. The 
Hudson River Exclusion consists of that airspace overlying the Hudson 
River beginning near the Alpine Tower (a visual reference point north 
of the George Washington Bridge), south to the Verrazano-Narrows 
Bridge, from the surface up to the overlying floor of the New York 
Class B airspace area. Currently, the floor of Class B airspace above 
the Hudson River Exclusion varies between the altitudes of ``above'' 
1,100 feet MSL and 1,500 feet MSL, at different points along the river. 
In order to change the Class B airspace floor to 1,300 feet MSL in that 
area, the FAA proposes to modify the legal description of Area D to 
remove two segments where the floor of Class B airspace extends from 
above 1,100 feet MSL over the Hudson River. The two segments to be 
removed from Area D are that airspace within a 6-mile radius circle of 
the LGA VOR/DME west of the east bank of the Hudson River; and that 
airspace within the 6.5-mile radius circle centered at lat. 
40[deg]41'30'' N., long. 74[deg]09'59'' W. The modified Area D would 
only describe that airspace above 1,100 feet above that lies above the 
East River. A new Area K would be added to describe that Class B 
airspace extending upward from 1,300 feet MSL above the Hudson River. 
The Area E description would be modified to exclude that airspace 
contained in Area K. The purpose of this proposed change is to provide 
separate altitudes for aircraft conducting local operations within the 
Hudson River Exclusion and those overflight aircraft that are 
transiting through the area predominantly in level flight.

14 CFR Part 93

    The FAA is also proposing to establish an SFRA in part 93 covering 
the New York Class B airspace Hudson River and East River Exclusions. 
The SFRA would mandate that pilots follow certain operating practices 
that at present are voluntary. In addition, pilots would need to comply 
with mandatory charted reporting points that would be established for 
position reporting in the Hudson River Exclusion. Lastly, the SFRA 
would incorporate restrictions for fixed wing aircraft operations in 
the East River Exclusion that are currently published in Flight Data 
Center NOTAM number 6/3495 and were imposed following an October 11, 
2006 accident. This accident occurred when a fixed wing aircraft, 
attempting a 180[deg] turn in the East River Exclusion, crashed into an 
apartment building in Manhattan, New York City.
    The following voluntary practices, applicable in both the Hudson 
River and East River Exclusions, would become mandatory for all pilots:
     Maintain an indicated airspeed not to exceed 140 knots.
     Turn on anti-collision, position/navigation, and/or 
landing lights.
     Self announce position on the appropriate radio frequency 
for the East River or Hudson as depicted on the New York VFR Terminal 
Area Chart (TAC) and/or New York Helicopter Route Chart.
    In addition, the following new procedures would be adopted:

For Operations in Both the East River and Hudson River Exclusions

     Pilots must have a current New York TAC chart and/or New 
York Helicopter Route Chart in the aircraft and familiarize themselves 
with the information contained therein.

For Hudson River Exclusion Operations

     Pilots must self announce at the charted mandatory 
reporting points, the following information: aircraft type and color, 
current position, direction of flight and altitude.
     Pilots must fly along the West shoreline of the Hudson 
River when southbound, and along the East shoreline of the Hudson River 
when northbound.
     Aircraft overflying the area within the Hudson River 
Exclusion, but not landing or departing any of the Manhattan heliports, 
or landing facilities, or conducting any local area operations, must 
transit the Hudson River Exclusion at or above an altitude of 1,000 
feet MSL up to, but not including the floor of the overlying Class B 
airspace.

For East River Exclusion Operations

     VFR flight operations by fixed wing aircraft (excluding 
amphibious fixed wing aircraft landing or departing the New York 
Skyports, Inc., Seaplane Base) in the East River Class B Exclusion 
(from the southwestern tip of Governors Island to the northern tip of 
Roosevelt Island) are prohibited unless authorized and being controlled 
by ATC. To obtain authorization, pilots must contact LaGuardia Airport 
Traffic Control Tower prior to Governors Island.

Regulatory Evaluation, Regulatory Flexibility Determination, 
International Trade Impact Assessment, and Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic 
analyses.

[[Page 47498]]

First, Executive Order 12866 directs that each Federal agency shall 
propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination that 
the benefits of the intended regulation justify its costs. Second, the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354) requires agencies 
to analyze the economic impact of regulatory changes on small entities. 
Third, the Trade Agreements Act (Pub. L. 96-39) prohibits agencies from 
setting standards that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign 
commerce of the United States. In developing U.S. standards, the Trade 
Act requires agencies to consider international standards and, where 
appropriate, that they be the basis of U.S. standards. Fourth, the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4) requires agencies 
to prepare a written assessment of the costs, benefits, and other 
effects of proposed or final rules that include a Federal mandate 
likely to result in the expenditure by State, local, or Tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more annually (adjusted for inflation with base year of 
1995). This portion of the preamble summarizes the FAA's analysis of 
the economic impacts of this proposed rule.
    Department of Transportation Order DOT 2100.5 prescribes policies 
and procedures for simplification, analysis, and review of regulations. 
If the expected cost impact is so minimal that a proposed or final rule 
does not warrant a full evaluation, this order permits that a statement 
to that effect and the basis for it be included in the preamble if a 
full regulatory evaluation of the cost and benefits is not prepared. 
Such a determination has been made for this proposed rule. The 
reasoning for this determination follows.
    This rule merely sets a uniform ceiling in the Hudson River 
Exclusion to facilitate segregation of overflights from local traffic. 
Pilots would self-announce at the reporting points while in the 
Exclusion area. Pilot training regarding this change is voluntary. We 
are incorporating the existing NOTAM restricting certain fixed-wing 
operations in the East River Exclusion Area. Therefore, this rule does 
not change the quantity of flights, nor training requirements, and 
continues the existing safety restriction in the East River Exclusion 
Area. Pilots will be required to carry current charts, at a cost of 
$5.25 each. As a result, the expected cost is minimal. In addition, 
these changes are expected to improve airspace safety. We request 
comments with supporting justification regarding the FAA determination 
of minimal impact.
    FAA has, therefore, determined that this proposed rule is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' as defined in section 3(f) of 
Executive Order 12866, and is not ``significant'' as defined in DOT's 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures.

Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354) (RFA) 
establishes ``as a principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall 
endeavor, consistent with the objectives of the rule and of applicable 
statutes, to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale 
of the businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions 
subject to regulation. To achieve this principle, agencies are required 
to solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain 
the rationale for their actions to assure that such proposals are given 
serious consideration.'' The RFA covers a wide range of small entities, 
including small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and small 
governmental jurisdictions.
    Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a rule will 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. If the agency determines that it will, the agency must 
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in the RFA.
    However, if an agency determines that a rule is not expected to 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, section 605(b) of the RFA provides that the head of the 
agency may so certify and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not 
required. The certification must include a statement providing the 
factual basis for this determination, and the reasoning should be 
clear. We agree the rule may well affect a substantial number of small 
entities. However, the FAA expects this rule to impose only minimal 
cost; therefore there is not a significant economic impact.
    Therefore, the FAA certifies that this proposed rule would not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The FAA solicits comments regarding this determination.

International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39) prohibits Federal 
agencies from establishing any standards or engaging in related 
activities that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of 
the United States. Legitimate domestic objectives, such as safety, are 
not considered unnecessary obstacles. The statute also requires 
consideration of international standards and, where appropriate, that 
they be the basis for U.S. standards. The FAA has assessed the 
potential effect of this proposed rule and has determined that it would 
have only a domestic impact and therefore no effect on international 
trade.

Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-
4) requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement 
assessing the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final 
agency rule that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more 
(in 1995 dollars) in any one year by State, local, and Tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate 
is deemed to be a ``significant regulatory action.'' The FAA currently 
uses an inflation-adjusted value of $136.1 million in lieu of $100 
million. This proposed rule does not contain such a mandate; therefore, 
the requirements of Title II of the Act do not apply.

Environmental Analysis

    FAA Order 1050.1E identifies FAA actions that are categorically 
excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy 
Act in the absence of extraordinary circumstances. The FAA has 
determined that this proposed rulemaking action qualifies for the 
categorical exclusion identified in paragraph 312f and involves no 
extraordinary circumstances. The FAA has further determined that the 
modification of the New York, NY Class B airspace area qualifies for 
the categorical exclusion identified in paragraph 311a and involves no 
extraordinary circumstances. Finally, the FAA determined the proposed 
SFAR and corresponding operational and pilot procedures qualify for the 
categorical exclusion identified in paragraph 311j and involve no 
extraordinary circumstances.

Additional Information

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. We also 
invite comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or 
federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in 
this document. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion 
of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket

[[Page 47499]]

does not contain duplicate comments, please send only one copy of 
written comments, or if you are filing comments electronically, please 
submit your comments only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments we receive, as well as a 
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    You can get an electronic copy of rulemaking documents using the 
Internet by--
    1. Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);
    2. Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies Web page at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies or
    3. Accessing the Government Printing Office's Web page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
    You can also get a copy by sending a request to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680. Make 
sure to identify the docket number, notice number, or amendment number 
of this rulemaking.
    You may access all documents the FAA considered in developing this 
proposed rule, including economic analyses and technical reports, from 
the Internet through the Federal eRulemaking Portal referenced in 
paragraph (1).

List of Subjects

14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

14 CFR Part 93

    Aircraft flight, Airspace, Aviation safety, Air traffic control, 
Aircraft, Airmen, Airports.

The Proposed Amendments

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 and 14 CFR part 93 as 
follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR 
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

    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]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the FAA Order 
7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated and 
effective September 15, 2009, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 3000 Class B Airspace

* * * * *

AEA NY B New York, NY [Amended]

* * * * *

Boundaries

    By removing the description of Area D and Area E and 
substituting the following; and by adding a new Area K as follows:
    Area D. That airspace extending upward from above 1,100 feet MSL 
to and including 7,000 feet MSL within the area between the east and 
west banks of the East River southwest of the north end of Roosevelt 
Island.
    Area E. That airspace extending upward from 1,500 feet MSL to 
and including 7,000 feet MSL within the area bounded by a line 
beginning at the intersection of the 20-mile radius circle of JFK 
VORTAC and the JFK VORTAC 208[deg] radial, thence counterclockwise 
along the 20-mile arc to its intersection with the Long Island 
shoreline, thence southwest along the Long Island shoreline to and 
counterclockwise along the 13-mile radius circle of JFK VORTAC to 
and counterclockwise along the 11-mile radius circle of LGA VOR/DME 
to the LGA VOR/DME 351[deg] radial, thence direct to the LGA VOR/DME 
283[deg] radial at the LGA VOR/DME 17-mile DME fix, thence 
counterclockwise along a 10-mile radius circle centered at lat. 
40[deg]41'30'' N., long. 74[deg]09'59'' W., to its intersection with 
the Colts Neck VORTAC 005[deg] radial, thence direct to the 
intersection of the Colts Neck VORTAC 034[deg] radial and the New 
Jersey shoreline at Sandy Hook, thence south along the New Jersey 
shoreline to the point of beginning; and that airspace within 2 
miles each side of the Newark ILS Runway 4L localizer course, 
extending from the CHESA outer marker to 6 miles southwest of the 
outer marker, excluding that airspace within and below Areas A, B, 
C, and D previously described; and excluding the airspace within and 
below Areas F, J and K hereinafter described.
    Area K. That airspace extending upward from 1,300 feet MSL, to 
and including 7,000 feet MSL north of LaGuardia Airport within the 
area beginning at the intersection of the LGA VOR/DME 11-mile DME 
arc and the west bank of the Hudson River (near Alpine Tower) thence 
south along the west bank of the Hudson River to intersect the Colts 
Neck VOR/DME 012[deg] (T)/023[deg] (M) radial, thence southwest 
along the Colts Neck 012[deg] (T)/023[deg] (M) radial to the Hudson 
River shoreline, thence south along the shoreline to the Verrazano-
Narrows Bridge, thence east along the Bridge to the east bank of the 
Hudson River, thence north along the east bank of the Hudson River 
to lat. 40[deg]38'39'' N., long. 74[deg]02'03'' W., thence north 
along a line drawn direct to the southwesternmost point of Governors 
Island, thence north along a line drawn direct to the southwest tip 
of Manhattan Island, thence north along the east bank of the Hudson 
River to the LGA VOR/DME 11-DME arc, north of LaGuardia Airport, 
thence counterclockwise along the 11-mile arc to the point of 
beginning.
* * * * *

PART 93--SPECIAL AIR TRAFFIC RULES

    3. The authority citation for part 93 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40106, 40109, 40113, 44502, 
44514, 44701, 44719, 46301.

    4. Add subpart W, consisting of Sec. Sec.  93.350 through 93.353, 
to read as follows:
Subpart W--New York Class B Airspace Hudson River and East River 
Exclusion Special Flight Rules Area
Sec.
93.350 Definitions.
93.351 General requirements for operating in the East River and/or 
Hudson River Exclusions.
93.352 Hudson River Exclusion specific procedures.
93.353 East River Exclusion specific procedures.

Subpart W--New York Class B Airspace Hudson River and East River 
Exclusion Special Flight Rules Area


Sec.  93.350  Definitions.

    For the purposes of this subpart:
    New York Class B airspace East River Exclusion is an area between 
the east and west banks of, and overlying, the East River from the 
southwestern tip of Governors Island to the north tip of Roosevelt 
Island, from the surface up to 1,100 feet MSL.
    New York Class B airspace Hudson River Exclusion is an area from 
the surface up to but not including the overlying floor of the New York 
Class B airspace area, between the east and west banks of, and 
overlying, the Hudson River within the area beginning north of 
LaGuardia Airport at the intersection of the LGA VOR/DME 11-mile DME 
arc and the west bank of the Hudson River (near Alpine Tower) thence 
south along the west bank of the Hudson River to intersect the Colts 
Neck VOR/DME 012[deg] (T)/023[deg] (M) radial, thence southwest along 
the Colts Neck 012[deg] (T)/023[deg] (M) radial to the Hudson River 
shoreline,

[[Page 47500]]

thence south along the shoreline to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, 
thence east along the Bridge to the east bank of the Hudson River, 
thence north along the east bank of the Hudson River to lat. 
40[deg]38'39'' N., long. 74[deg]02'03'' W., thence north along a line 
drawn direct to the southwesternmost point of Governors Island, thence 
north along a line drawn direct to the southwest tip of Manhattan 
Island, thence north along the east bank of the Hudson River to the LGA 
VOR/DME 11-DME arc, north of LaGuardia Airport, thence counterclockwise 
along the 11-mile arc to the point of beginning.


Sec.  93.351  General requirements for operating in the East River and/
or Hudson River Exclusions.

    Pilots must adhere to the following requirements:
    (a) Maintain an indicated airspeed not to exceed 140 knots.
    (b) Turn on anticollision, position/navigation, and/or landing 
lights.
    (c) Self announce position on the appropriate radio frequency for 
the East River or Hudson River as depicted on the New York VFR Terminal 
Area Chart (TAC) and/or New York Helicopter Route Chart.
    (d) Have a current New York TAC chart and/or New York Helicopter 
Route Chart in the aircraft and be familiar with the information 
contained therein.


Sec.  93.352  Hudson River Exclusion specific procedures.

    In addition to the requirements in Sec.  93.351, the following 
procedures apply:
    (a) Pilots must self announce at the charted mandatory reporting 
points, the following information: Aircraft type and color, current 
position, direction of flight and altitude.
    (b) Pilots must fly along the West shoreline of the Hudson River 
when southbound, and along the East shoreline of the Hudson River when 
northbound.
    (c) Aircraft overflying the area within the Hudson River Exclusion, 
but not landing or departing any of the Manhattan heliports, or 
conducting any local area operations, must transit the Hudson River 
Exclusion at or above an altitude of 1,000 feet MSL up to, but not 
including the floor of the overlying Class B airspace.


Sec.  93.353  East River Exclusion specific procedures.

    In addition to the requirements in Sec.  93.351, VFR flight 
operations by fixed wing aircraft (excluding seaplane fixed wing 
aircraft landing or departing the New York Skyports, Inc. seaplane 
base) in the East River Class B Exclusion extending from the 
southwestern tip of Governors Island to the north tip of Roosevelt 
Island are prohibited unless authorized and being controlled by ATC. To 
obtain authorization, pilots must contact LaGuardia Airport Traffic 
Control Tower prior to Governors Island.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 11, 2009.
Edith V. Parish,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
[FR Doc. E9-22344 Filed 9-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P