[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 10, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21505-21506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8552]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0621; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-28]
Proposed Amendment of Class D and E Airspace; Blountville, TN,
and Revocation of Class E Airspace; Tri-City, TN
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D and Class E surface
airspace at Blountville, TN, and remove Class E airspace at Tri-City,
TN, as new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed
at Tri-Cities Regional Airport. This action would enhance the safety
and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for
SIAPs at the airport. This action would also update the geographic
coordinates, airport name, and airspace designation.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 25, 2012. 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.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule to: U. S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001;
Telephone: 1-800-647-5527; Fax: 202-493-2251. You must identify the
Docket Number FAA-2011-0621; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-28, 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: John Fornito, Operations Support
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O.
Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-6364.
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-2011-0621; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-28) 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.
Persons 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-2011-0621; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-28.'' 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.
[[Page 21506]]
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
The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend Class D airspace, Class E surface
airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the
surface to support new standard instrument approach procedures
developed at Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Blountville, TN. The Tri-
City, TN, Class E airspace designated as an extension would be removed.
Airspace reconfiguration is necessary for the continued safety and
management of IFR operations at the airport. The airport formerly
called Tri-City Regional Airport would be changed to Tri-Cities
Regional Airport, TN/VA; the airport designation would be changed from
Tri-City, TN, to Blountville, TN, and the geographic coordinates would
be adjusted to coincide with the FAAs aeronautical database.
Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraph
5000, 6002, 6004, 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 D and 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.
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 E airspace and remove
Class E airspace at Tri-City Regional Airport, Blountville, TN.
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
Lists 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 Federal
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9V, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated August 15, 2011, and effective September 15,
2011, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.
* * * * *
ASO TN D Blountville, TN [Amended]
Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
(Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
4,000 feet MSL within a 6.8-mile radius of Tri-Cities Regional
Airport.
This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific days
and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The
effective days and times will thereafter be continuously published
in the Airport/Facility Directory.
Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace designated as surface areas.
* * * * *
ASO TN E2 Blountville, TN [Amended]
Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
(Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
4,000 feet MSL within a 6.8-mile radius of Tri-Cities Regional
Airport. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific
days and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The
effective days and times will thereafter be continuously published
in the Airport/Facility Directory.
Paragraph 6004 Class E airspace designated as an extension to a
class d surface area.
* * * * *
ASO TN E4 Tri-City, TN [Removed]
Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700
feet or more above the surface of the earth.
* * * * *
ASO TN E5 Blountville, TN [Amended]
Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
(Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)
Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Airport, VA
(Lat. 36[deg]41'14'' N., long. 82[deg]02'00'' W.)
Rogersville, Hawkins County Airport, TN
(Lat. 36[deg]27'27'' N., long. 82[deg]53'06'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 9.3-mile radius of Tri-Cities Regional Airport and within
4-miles west and 8-miles east of the 223[deg] bearing from the
airport extending from the 9.3-mile radius to 23 miles southwest of
the airport, and within 2-miles either side of the 43[deg] bearing
from the airport extending from the 9.3-mile radius to 14.5 miles
northeast of the airport, and within a 17-mile radius of Virginia
Highlands Airport and within a 7-mile radius of Hawkins County
Airport, and within 7 miles each side of Runway 07/25 centerline,
extending from the 7-mile radius to 12 miles east of Hawkins County
Airport.
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on March 30, 2012.
Barry A. Knight,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2012-8552 Filed 4-9-12; 8:45 am]
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