[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38473-38474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15754]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0196; Airspace Docket No. 12-AWP-2]


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Fairfield, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at Travis Air Force Base 
(AFB), Fairfield, CA. The projected decommissioning of the Travis VHF 
Omni-Directional Radio Range (VOR) has made this action necessary for 
the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations 
at the airport.

DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, September 20, 2012. The Director of 
the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action 
under 1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 
and publication of conforming amendments.

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: 

History

    On April 18, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend controlled airspace at 
Fairfield, CA (77 FR 23171). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. Two comments were received in favor of the 
airspace amendment. Except for a minor editorial change, this rule is 
the same as published in the NPRM.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6004, 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 designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in that Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
Part 71 by amending Class E airspace designated as an extension to 
Class D surface area at Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA. Airspace 
reconfiguration is necessary due to the

[[Page 38474]]

projected decommissioning of the Travis VOR, and enhances the safety 
and management of IFR operations at the airport.
    The FAA has determined this regulation only involves an established 
body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments 
are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this 
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 routine matter that 
will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified 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 discusses 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 amends 
controlled airspace at Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action is not expected to 
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 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

0
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]

0
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 6004 Class E airspace designated as an extension to a 
class D surface area.

* * * * *

AWP CA E4 Fairfield, CA [Amended]

Fairfield, Travis AFB, CA
    (Lat. 38[deg]15'46'' N., long. 121[deg]55'39'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.8 miles 
each side of the Travis AFB 047[deg] bearing, extending from the 
4.3-mile radius of Travis AFB to 8.7 miles northeast of Travis AFB, 
and within 1.8 miles each side of the Travis AFB 227[deg] bearing 
extending from the 4.3-mile radius of the airport to 8.7 miles 
southwest of Travis AFB, and within 3.7 miles northwest and 1.8 
miles southeast of the Travis AFB 236[deg] bearing extending from 
the 4.3-mile radius of the airport to 5.6 miles southwest of Travis 
AFB.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on June 15, 2012.
John Warner,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2012-15754 Filed 6-27-12; 8:45 am]
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