[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 14, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67782-67783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27667]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 220 / Wednesday, November 14, 2012 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 67782]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0509; Airspace Docket No. 12-ANM-15]


Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Casper, WY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace areas at 
Casper, Natrona County International Airport, Casper, WY, to facilitate 
vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) traffic from en route 
airspace to the airport. Decommissioning of the Muddy Mountain VOR 
Omnidirectional Range Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) has made 
reconfiguration necessary for the safety and management of aircraft 
operations at Casper, Natrona County International Airport, Casper, WY.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 31, 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-2012-
0509; Airspace Docket No. 12-ANM-15, 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 2012-0509 and Airspace Docket No. 12-ANM-15) 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-2012-0509 and Airspace Docket No. 12-ANM-15''. 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 NPRM's

    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 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 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 
NPRM's 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 airspace designated 
as an extension to a Class D surface area, and Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface due to the 
decommissioning of the Muddy Mountain VORTAC at Casper, Natrona County 
International Airport, Casper, WY. This action also would amend Class E 
en route domestic airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the 
surface at the airport by removing the exclusionary language in the 
regulatory text. This action would enhance the safety and management of 
aircraft operations at the airport.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraphs, 6004, 
6005 and 6006, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9W, dated August 8, 
2012, and effective September 15, 2012, 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 routine matter that will only affect air

[[Page 67783]]

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 Casper, Natrona County 
International Airport, Casper, WY.
    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.

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 7400.9W, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 
2012 is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6004 Class E airspace Designated as an Extension to a 
Class D Surface area.

* * * * *

ANM WY E4 Casper, WY [Modified]

Casper, Natrona County International Airport, WY
    (Lat. 42[deg]54'29'' N., long. 106[deg]27'52'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 4.3 miles 
each side of the 036[deg] bearing of the Natrona County 
International Airport extending from the airport to 13.7 miles 
northeast of the airport, and within 4.3 miles each side of the 
216[deg] bearing of the Natrona County International Airport 
extending from the airport to 15 miles southwest of the airport, and 
within 2.7 miles each side of the 269[deg] bearing of the Natrona 
County International Airport extending from airport to 13.5 miles 
west 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.

* * * * *

ANM WY E5 Casper, WY [Modified]

Casper, Natrona County International Airport, WY
    (Lat. 42[deg]54'29'' N., long. 106[deg]27'52'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 24-mile radius of the Natrona County International Airport; 
that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within a 38-mile radius of the Natrona County International Airport.

Paragraph 6006 En Route Domestic Airspace Areas.

* * * * *

ANM WY E6 Casper, WY [Modified]

Casper, Natrona County International Airport, WY
    (Lat. 42[deg]54'29'' N., long. 106[deg]27'52'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within a 85-mile radius of Natrona County International Airport.


    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on October 23, 2012.
Vered Lovett,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2012-27667 Filed 11-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P