[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 152 (Monday, August 9, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47736-47737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19583]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0428; Airspace Docket No. 10-AEA-13]


Amendment of Class D and E Airspace, Establishment of Class E 
Airspace; Patuxent River, MD

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class D and E airspace at 
Patuxent River Naval Air Station (NAS), Patuxent River, MD, to reflect 
the part-time operating status of the control tower and establish Class 
E airspace designated as surface areas to accommodate the additional 
airspace needed for the Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) 
developed for the airport. This action would enhance the safety and 
management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Patuxent 
River NAS, Patuxent, MD.

DATES: 0901 UTC. Comments must be received on or before September 23, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal 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-2010-0428; Airspace Docket No. 10-AEA-13, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit and review received comments through the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melinda Giddens, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, 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 (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2010-0428; Airspace Docket No. 10-AEA-13) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped 
postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket 
No. FAA-2010-0428; Airspace Docket No. 10-AEA-13.'' 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/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see the 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.
    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 Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend Class D airspace and Class E 
airspace designated as an extension to Class D surface area at Patuxent 
River NAS, Patuxent River, MD, to reflect the part-time operations of 
the airport control tower, establishing in advance the dates and times 
by a Notice to Airmen, and establish Class E airspace designated as 
surface areas to provide controlled airspace required to support the 
SIAPs developed for Patuxent River NAS.
    Class D airspace designations, Class E surface airspace 
designations and Class E airspace designations as extensions to a Class 
D surface area are published in Paragraph 5000, 6002, and 6004 
respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9T, signed August 27, 2009, and 
effective September 15, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E airspace designations listed in this 
document will 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.

[[Page 47737]]

    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 proposed 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 proposed regulation is within the scope 
of that authority as it would amend Class D and existing Class E 
airspace and establish Class E airspace designated as surface areas at 
Patuxent River NAS, Patuxent River, MD.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (Air).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal 
Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009, effective September 15, 2009, 
is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA MD D Patuxent River, MD [Amended]

Patuxent River NAS (Trapnell Field), MD
    (Lat. 38[deg]17'30'' N., long. 76[deg]24'59'' W.)
Chesapeake Ranch Airpark, MD
    (Lat. 38[deg]21'40'' N., long. 76[deg]24'19'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Patuxent River NAS 
(Trapnell Field) and within a .5-mile radius of Chesapeake Ranch 
Airpark excluding that airspace within Restricted Areas R-4005 and 
R-4007 when active. This Class D airspace area is effective during 
the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to 
Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously 
published in the Airport Facility Directory.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AEA MD E2 Patuxent River, MD [New]

Patuxent River NAS (Trapnell Field), MD
    (Lat. 38[deg]17'30'' N., long. 76[deg]24'59'' W.)
Patuxent VORTAC
    (Lat. 38[deg]17'16'' N., long. 76[deg]24'01'' W.)
Patuxent River NDB
    (Lat. 38[deg]17'09'' N., long. 76[deg]24'11'' W.)
Chesapeake Ranch Airpark, MD
    (Lat. 38[deg]21'40'' N., long. 76[deg]24'19'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.5-
mile radius of Patuxent River NAS (Trapnell Field) and within 1.8 
miles each side of the Patuxent VORTAC 045[deg] radial extending 
from the 4.5-mile radius of Patuxent River NAS to 6.1 miles 
northeast of the VORTAC; and within 1.8 miles each side of the 
Patuxent VORTAC 235[deg] radial extending from the 4.5-mile radius 
to 6.6 miles southwest of the VORTAC; and within 1.8 miles each side 
of the Patuxent River NDB 233[deg] bearing extending from the 4.5-
mile radius to 6.1 miles southwest of the NDB; and within 1.8 miles 
each side of the Patuxent VORTAC 140[deg] radial extending from the 
4.5-mile radius to 10.5 miles southeast of the VORTAC; and within a 
.5-mile radius of Chesapeake Ranch Airpark, excluding that airspace 
within Restricted Areas R-4005 and R-4007 when active. This Class E 
airspace area is effective during those times when the Class D 
airspace is not in effect.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D Surface Area.

* * * * *

AEA MD E4 Patuxent River, MD [Amended]

Patuxent River NAS (Trapnell Field), MD
    (Lat. 38[deg]17'30'' N., long. 76[deg]24'59'' W.)
Patuxent VORTAC
    (Lat. 38[deg]17'16'' N., long. 76[deg]24'01'' W.)
Patuxent River NDB
    (Lat. 38[deg]17'09'' N., long. 76[deg]24'11'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.8 miles 
each side of the Patuxent VORTAC 045[deg] radial extending from the 
4.5-mile radius of Patuxent River NAS (Trapnell Field) to 6.1 miles 
northeast of the VORTAC; and within 1.8 miles each side of the 
Patuxent VORTAC 235[deg] radial extending from the 4.5-mile radius 
to 6.6 miles southwest of the VORTAC; and within 1.8 miles each side 
of the Patuxent River NDB 233[deg] bearing extending from the 4.5-
mile radius to 6.1 miles southwest of the NDB; and within 1.8 miles 
each side of the Patuxent VORTAC 140[deg] radial extending from the 
4.5-mile radius to 10.5 miles southeast of the VORTAC, excluding 
that airspace within Restricted Areas R-4005 and R-4007 when active. 
This Class E airspace area is effective during specific dates and 
times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective 
date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the 
Airport Facility Directory.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on July 30, 2010.
Mark D. Ward,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2010-19583 Filed 8-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P