[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 10, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40492-40493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16429]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1457; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-47]


Revocation of Class D Airspace; Andalusia, AL; and Amendment of 
Class E Airspace; Fort Rucker, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action removes Class D Airspace at Andalusia, AL, as the 
Air Traffic Control Tower at South Alabama Regional Airport at Bill 
Benton Field has closed, and amends Class E Airspace at Fort Rucker, 
AL, by recognizing the airport's name change to South Alabama Regional 
Airport at Bill Benton Field. This action also updates the geographic 
coordinates of the three listed Class E airports. This action enhances 
the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations 
at the airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, September 20, 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.

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:

History

    On April 10, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to remove Class D airspace at 
South Alabama Regional Airport at Bill Benton Field (formerly 
Andalusia-Opp Airport), Andalusia, AL, due to the closing of the air 
traffic control tower; amend Class E airspace at Fort Rucker, AL, by 
changing the airport name formerly known as Andalusia-Opp Airport; and 
adjust the geographic coordinates of the above airports listed in the 
Class (77 FR 21510) Docket No. FAA-2011-1457. Interested parties were 
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written 
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. Class D 
and Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 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. Except for a few 
editorial changes, this rule is the same as published in the NPRM of 
April 10, 2012.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 removes Class D surface airspace at South Alabama Regional 
Airport at Bill Benton Field (formerly Andalusia-Opp Airport), 
Andalusia, AL, as the air traffic control tower has closed. The Class E 
airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Fort 
Rucker, AL, is amended by recognizing the airport's name change from 
Andalusia-Opp Airport to South Alabama Regional Airport at Bill Benton 
Field. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the above 
airport; Cairns AAF, Ft. Rucker, AL; and Florala Municipal, AL, to be 
in concert with the FAAs aeronautical database.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current, is 
non-controversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
comments. 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 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 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 removes controlled airspace at Andalusia, AL, and amends 
controlled airspace at Fort Rucker, AL.

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

Lists 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 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 Federal Aviation

[[Page 40493]]

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

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.

* * * * *

ASO AL D Andalusia, AL [Removed]

Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ASO AL E5 Fort Rucker, AL [Amended]

Fort Rucker, Cairns AAF, AL
    (Lat. 31[deg]16'33'' N., long. 85[deg]42'48'' W.)
Andalusia, South Alabama Regional Airport at Bill Benton Field, AL
    (Lat. 31[deg]18'30'' N., long. 86[deg]23'32'' W.)
Florala Municipal Airport, AL
    (Lat. 31[deg]02'33'' N., long. 86[deg]18'42'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the 
surface within the area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 
31[deg]38'01'' N., long. 86[deg]23'30'' W.; to lat. 31[deg]45'01'' 
N., long. 85[deg]38'00'' W.; to lat. 31[deg]17'01'' N., long. 
85[deg]26'00'' W.; thence to lat. 31[deg]04'01'' N., long. 
85[deg]52'00'' W.; to lat. 31[deg]03'02'' N., long. 86[deg]11'04'' 
W.; to and clockwise along the arc of a 6.5-mile radius circle of 
Florala Municipal Airport to lat. 31[deg]02'14'' N., long. 
86[deg]26'10'' W.; thence to the point of beginning, and within a 7-
mile radius of South Alabama Regional Airport at Bill Benton Field.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on June 21, 2012.
Gerald E. Lynch,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2012-16429 Filed 7-9-12; 8:45 am]
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