[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 35 (Thursday, February 21, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11980-11981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03981]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

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


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Casper, WY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies 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 the 
airport.

DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, May 2, 2013. 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 November 14, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend controlled airspace at 
Casper, WY (77 FR 67782). 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 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 Part 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 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, to facilitate vectoring of IFR traffic from en 
route airspace to the airport, due to the decommissioning of the Muddy 
Mountain VORTAC at Casper, Natrona County International Airport, 
Casper, WY. This action also amends Class E en route domestic airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface by removing the 
exclusionary language in the regulatory text. This action enhances the 
safety and management of aircraft operations within the National 
Airspace System.
    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 modifies 
controlled airspace at Casper, Natrona County International Airport, 
Casper, WY.

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 part 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:


[[Page 11981]]



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 an 85-mile radius of Natrona County International Airport.


    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on February 1, 2013.
Clark Desing,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-03981 Filed 2-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P