[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45240-45241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18542]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0386; Airspace Docket No. 12-AEA-6]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Quakertown, PA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E Airspace at Quakertown, PA, to 
accommodate the new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System 
(GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Quakertown Airport. 
This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

[[Page 45241]]


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 May 23, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice 
of proposed rulemaking to establish Class E airspace at Quakertown, PA 
(77 FR 30438) Docket No. FAA-2012-0386. 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 E airspace 
designations are published in paragraph 6005 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 the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at Quakertown, PA, to provide the controlled airspace 
required to accommodate the new RNAV GPS Standard Instrument Approach 
Procedures developed for Quakertown Airport. This action is necessary 
for the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.
    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 establishes controlled airspace at Quakertown Airport, 
Quakertown, PA.

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

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

* * * * *

AEA PA E5 Quakertown, PA [New]

Quakertown Airport, PA
    (Lat. 40[deg]26'07'' N., long. 75[deg]22'55'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 8.3-mile radius of Quakertown Airport, and within 5.4 
miles each side of the 099[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 
from the 8.3-mile radius to 11.1-miles east of the airport.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on July 20, 2012.
Barry A. Knight,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2012-18542 Filed 7-30-12; 8:45 am]
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