[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 87 (Monday, May 6, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26243-26244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10539]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0394; Airspace Docket No. 12-AEA-8]


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Easton, PA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E Airspace at Easton, PA, as the 
Allentown VORTAC has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument 
Approach Procedures have been developed at Braden Airpark. This action 
enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) 
operations at the airport. This action also recognizes the airport's 
name change and updates the geographic coordinates of the airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, June 27, 2013. 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 January 24, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class E airspace at 
Easton, PA (78 FR 5152) Docket No. FAA-2012-0394. 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 7400.9W 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 the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at Easton, PA to accommodate the new Standard 
Instrument Approach Procedures developed for Braden Airpark. The 
Allentown VORTAC has been decommissioned, and the VOR/DME approach 
cancelled. The controlled airspace area is increased to within an 8.2-
mile radius of the airport due to terrain in the surrounding area. 
Also, the airport name is changed from Easton Airport to Braden 
Airpark, and the geographic coordinates of the airport are adjusted to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. Also, the sentence in 
the regulatory text referencing the effectiveness of the airspace from 
sunrise to sunset, daily, is removed. Except for editorial changes and 
the changes noted above, this rule is the same as published in the 
NPRM.
    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

[[Page 26244]]

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 Braden Airpark, Easton, 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 7400.9W, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated August 8, 2012, effective September 15, 2012, 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 Easton, PA [Amended]

Braden Airpark, Easton, PA
    (Lat. 40[deg]44'32'' N., long. 75[deg]14'35'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 8.2-mile radius of Braden Airpark.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on April 22, 2013.
Barry A. Knight,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2013-10539 Filed 5-3-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P