[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 111 (Monday, June 10, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34552-34553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13356]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1345; Airspace Docket No. 12-ANM-31]


Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace and Establishment of 
Class E Airspace; Pasco, WA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E surface airspace at Tri-Cities 
Airport, Pasco, WA, to accommodate aircraft using Area Navigation 
(RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach 
procedures at Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco, WA. The geographic coordinates 
of Tri-Cities Airport and Vista Field Airport, Kennewick, WA, formerly 
called Vista Airport, are adjusted for existing Class D and E airspace. 
This action also makes a minor change to the legal description of the 
Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D surface area. 
This improves the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules 
(IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, August 22, 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 March 26, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish Class E surface 
airspace and modify Class D and E airspace at Pasco, WA (78 FR 18259). 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No 
comments were received.
    The FAA's Aeronautical Products Office found that the Pasco Compass 
Locator at ILS Outer Marker (LOM) has been decommissioned and needs to 
be removed from Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D 
surface area. With the exception of editorial changes and the changes 
described above, this rule is the same as that proposed in the NPRM.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 5000, 
6002, 6004 and 6005, 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 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 establishing Class E surface airspace within a 4.3-mile 
radius, with exclusion, at Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco, WA, to 
accommodate IFR aircraft executing RNAV (GPS) standard instrument 
approach procedures at the airport. Also, Vista Airport, Kennewick, WA, 
is renamed Vista Field Airport, and the geographic coordinates of the 
airports are updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database 
for existing Class D airspace, Class E airspace designated as an 
extension to Class D surface area, and Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface, at Pasco, WA. This action is 
necessary for the safety and management of IFR operations.
    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 
only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified 
this rule, when promulgated, does 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 establishes 
additional controlled airspace at Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco, WA.

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

[[Page 34553]]

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 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 5000 Class D airspace.

* * * * *

ANM WA D Pasco, WA [Modified]

Pasco, Tri-Cities Airport, WA
    (Lat. 46[deg]15'53'' N., long. 119[deg]07'09'' W.)
Kennewick, Vista Field Airport, WA
    (Lat. 46[deg]13'07'' N., long. 119[deg]12'36'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,900 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Tri-Cities Airport, 
excluding that airspace within a 2-mile radius of Vista Field 
Airport. This Class D 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 6002 Class E airspace designated as surface areas.

* * * * *

ANM WA E2 Pasco, WA [New]

Pasco, Tri-Cities Airport, WA
    (Lat. 46[deg]15'53'' N., long. 119[deg]07'09'' W.)
Kennewick, Vista Field Airport, WA
    (Lat. 46[deg]13'07'' N., long. 119[deg]12'36'' W.)

    Within a 4.3-mile radius of Tri-Cities Airport, excluding that 
airspace within a 2-mile radius of Vista Field 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 6004 Class E airspace designated as an extension to a 
Class D surface area.

* * * * *

ANM WA E4 Pasco, WA [Modified]

Pasco, Tri-Cities Airport, WA
    (Lat. 46[deg]15'53'' N., long. 119[deg]07'09'' W.)
Pasco VOR/DME
    (Lat. 46[deg]15'47'' N., long. 119[deg]06'57'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3.5 miles 
each side of the Tri-Cities Airport 045[deg] bearing extending from 
the 4.3-mile radius of the airport to 15 miles northeast of the 
airport, and within 2.7 miles each side of the Pasco VOR/DME 
131[deg] radial extending from the 4.3-mile radius of the airport to 
7 miles southeast of the VOR/DME. 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 WA E5 Pasco, WA [Modified]

Pasco, Tri-Cities Airport, WA
    (Lat. 46[deg]15'53'' N., long. 119[deg]07'09'' W.)
Pasco VOR/DME
    (Lat. 46[deg]15'47'' N., long. 119[deg]06'57'' W.)
Richland Airport, WA
    (Lat. 46[deg]18'20'' N., long. 119[deg]18'15'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within 9.2 miles northwest and 5.3 miles southeast of the Pasco VOR/
DME 046[deg] and 226[deg] radials extending from 20.1 miles 
northeast to 10.5 miles southwest of the VOR/DME, and within 8.3 
miles northeast and 6.1 miles southwest of the Pasco VOR/DME 
131[deg] radial extending from the VOR/DME to 26.3 miles southeast 
of the VOR/DME, and within 4.3 miles north and 6.6 miles south of 
the Pasco VOR/DME 288[deg] radial extending from 7 miles west of the 
VOR/DME to 23.1 miles west of the VOR/DME, and within 8.3 miles west 
and 4 miles east of the 026[deg] bearing of Richland Airport 
extending 20.9 miles northeast of Richland Airport; that airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface bounded by a line 
beginning at lat. 45[deg]49'00'' N., long. 118[deg]00'00'' W.; to 
lat. 45[deg]49'00'' N., long. 119[deg]45'00'' W.; to lat. 
47[deg]00'00'' N., long. 119[deg]45'00'' W., to lat. 47[deg]00'00'' 
N., long. 118[deg]00'00'' W.; thence to the point of origin.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on May 24, 2013.
Clark Desing,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-13356 Filed 6-7-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P