[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 209 (Friday, October 28, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66866-66867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27974]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0630; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASW-8]


Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace; Altus AFB, OK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D airspace at Altus Air 
Force Base (AFB), OK. Procedural changes implemented to enhance safety 
for aircraft operating in the vicinity of Altus/Quartz Mountain 
Regional Airport, Altus, OK, has made this action necessary for the 
safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at 
Altus AFB.

DATES: 0901 UTC. Comments must be received on or before December 12, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001. You 
must identify the docket number FAA-2011-0630/Airspace Docket No. 11-
ASW-8, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments 
through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. You may review the 
public docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any 
final disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office 
(telephone 1-(800) 647-

[[Page 66867]]

5527), is on the ground floor of the building at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Enander, Central Service Center, 
Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone: (817) 321-
7716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking 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. Commenters 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-2011-0630/
Airspace Docket No. 11-ASW-8.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at 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 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 Central Service Center, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, TX 76137.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRMs 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

    This action proposes to amend Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
(14 CFR), part 71 by modifying Class D airspace at Altus AFB, Altus, 
OK. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to procedural changes 
implemented to enhance safety for aircraft operating in the vicinity of 
Altus/Quartz Mountain Regional Airport. Controlled airspace is 
necessary for the safety and management of IFR operations at the 
airport.
    Class D airspace areas are published in Paragraph 5000 of FAA Order 
7400.9V, dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D 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 rule, when promulgated, 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 U.S. Code. Subtitle 1, 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 would modify controlled airspace at Altus AFB, OK.

List 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, 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 FAA Order 
7400.9V, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 9, 
2011, and effective September 15, 2011, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace

* * * * *

ASW OK D Altus AFB, OK [Amended]

Altus AFB, OK
    (Lat. 34[deg]39[min]59[sec] N., long. 99[deg]16[min]05[sec] W.)
Altus AFB ILS Localizer
    (Lat. 34[deg]38[min]31[sec] N., long. 99[deg]16[min]26[sec] W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,900 feet MSL within a 6-mile radius of Altus AFB, and within 2 
miles each side of the Altus AFB ILS 17R Localizer north course 
extending from the 6-mile radius to 7.6 miles north of the airport, 
and excluding that airspace below 2,500 feet MSL west of long. 
99[deg]18'52'' W. 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.

    Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on September 29, 2011.
Anthony D. Roetzel,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2011-27974 Filed 10-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4901-13-P