[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78180-78181]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32209]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1313; Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-17]


Proposed Modification of Class E Airspace; Douglas, AZ

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify Class E airspace at Bisbee 
Douglas International Airport, Douglas, AZ. Decommissioning of the 
Cochise Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Radio Range Tactical Air 
Navigational Aid (VORTAC) has made this action necessary for the safety 
and management of aircraft operations at the airport. This action would 
also adjust the geographic coordinates of the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 30, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590; 
telephone (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2011-
1313; Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-17, at the beginning of your comments. 
You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eldon Taylor, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4537.

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 (FAA Docket No. 
FAA 2011-1313 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-17) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES 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 FAA 
Docket No. FAA-2011-1313 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-17''. The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified closing date 
for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the closing date 
for comments. 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 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 the ADDRESSES section for the 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 Northwest Mountain Regional Office of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Western Service 
Center, Operations Support Group, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 
98057.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRMs should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, 
for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application 
procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) Part 71 by modifying Class E surface airspace and 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at 
Douglas, AZ. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate 
aircraft using VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring 
Equipment VOR/DME Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument 
approach procedures at the Bisbee Douglas International Airport, 
Douglas, AZ. Decommissioning of the Cochise VORTAC has made this action 
necessary and would enhance the safety and management of aircraft 
operations at airport. The geographic coordinates of the airport would 
also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6002 and 
6005, respectively, 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 E airspace designation listed in this document will 
be published subsequently in this Order.
    The FAA has determined this proposed regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this proposed regulation: (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

[[Page 78181]]

routine matter that will only affect air traffic procedures and air 
navigation, it is certified 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.
    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 for 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. This regulation is within the scope of that authority 
as it would modify controlled airspace at Bisbee Douglas International 
Airport, Douglas, AZ.

List 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 14 CFR 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9V, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 
2011 is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace designated as surface areas.
* * * * *

AWP AZ E2 Douglas, AZ [Modified]

Bisbee Douglas International Airport, AZ
    (Lat. 31[deg]28'08'' N., long. 109[deg]36'14'' W.)

    Within a 4.3-mile radius of Bisbee Douglas International Airport 
and within 1.8 miles each side of the Bisbee Douglas International 
Airport 332[deg] bearing, extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 7 
miles northwest of the airport. This Class E 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 6005 Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet 
or more above the surface of the earth.
* * * * *

AWP AZ E5 Douglas, AZ [Modified]

Bisbee Douglas International Airport, AZ
    (Lat. 31[deg]28'08'' N., long. 109[deg]36'14'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within 3.9 miles northeast and 8.3 miles southwest of the Bisbee 
Douglas International Airport 333[deg] bearing extending from the 
airport to 16.1 miles northwest. That airspace extending upward from 
1,200 feet above the surface within a 7.8-mile radius of the Bisbee 
Douglas International Airport and within a 20-mile radius of the 
Bisbee Douglas International Airport extending clockwise from the 
288[deg] bearing to the 076[deg] bearing of the airport and within 
4.3 miles east and 7.4 miles west of the Bisbee Douglas 
International Airport 347[deg] bearing extending from the airport to 
34.5 miles north.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on December 8, 2011.
Lori Andriesen,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2011-32209 Filed 12-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P