[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48294-48295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18698]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1141; Airspace Docket No. 12-ASW-12]


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Mason, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at Mason, TX. Additional 
controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation 
(RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Mason County Airport. 
This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight 
Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, October 17, 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: Scott Enander, Central Service Center, 
Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort

[[Page 48295]]

Worth, TX 76137; telephone 817-321-7716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On May 24, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class E airspace for the Mason, 
TX, area, creating additional controlled airspace at Mason County 
Airport (78 FR 31429) Docket No. FAA-2012-1141. 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 71.1. The Class E airspace 
designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
Part 71 by amending Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface to ensure that controlled airspace exists to contain 
aircraft executing new standard instrument approach procedures at Mason 
County Airport, Mason, TX. A segment is added from the 6.4-mile radius 
of the airport to 11.8 miles north of the airport for the safety and 
management of IFR operations. 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. 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 that 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, 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 amends controlled airspace at Mason County Airport, Mason, TX.

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

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Mason, TX [Amended]

Mason County Airport, TX
    (Lat. 30[deg]43'56'' N., long. 99[deg]11'02'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.4-mile radius of Mason County Airport, and within 2 miles 
each side of the 001[deg] bearing from the airport extending from 
the 6.4-mile radius to 11.8 miles north of the airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 25, 2013.
David P. Medina,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-18698 Filed 8-7-13; 8:45 am]
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