[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52114-52115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20504]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0552; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-14]


Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Macon, GA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace at Macon, GA, 
as the Bay Creek NDB has been decommissioned and airspace 
reconfiguration is necessary for the safety and airspace management of 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Perry-Houston County 
Airport. This action also would amend controlled airspace and update 
the name and geographic coordinates of Macon Downtown Airport and amend 
controlled airspace for Middle Georgia Regional Airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 7, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposed rule to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001; Telephone: 1-
800-647-5527; Fax: 202-493-2251. You must identify the Docket Number 
FAA-2013-0552; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-14, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit and review received comments through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on this proposed rule 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-2013-0552; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-14) 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.
    Persons 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 Docket 
No. FAA-2013-0552; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-14.'' The postcard will 
be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter. All communications 
received before the specified closing date for comments will be 
considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposal 
contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments 
received. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from and 
comments submitted through 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 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 between 8:30 a.m. and 
5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays at the office 
of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, room 
350, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRM's should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, 
to request a copy of Advisory circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking distribution System, which describes the application 
procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by modifying Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface to within a 7.8-mile radius of 
Middle Georgia Regional Airport, and within a 9.8-mile radius of Perry-
Houston County Airport, and within a 7-mile radius of Robins AFB, and 
within a 8.8-mile radius of Macon Downtown Airport, formerly called 
Herbert Smart Downtown Airport. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary 
due to the decommissioning of the Bay Creek NDB and cancellation of the 
NDB approach, and for continued safety and management of IFR operations 
at the airports. Also, the geographic coordinates of Macon Downtown 
Airport would be adjusted to coincide with the FAAs aeronautical 
database.
    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 designation listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
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 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 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 proposed rulemaking is promulgated under the authority 
described in Subtitle VII, Part, A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under 
that

[[Page 52115]]

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 proposed regulation is within the scope 
of that authority as it would amend Class E airspace in the Macon, GA, 
area.
    This proposal would 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.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, 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

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.

* * * * *

ASO GA E5 Macon, GA [Amended]

Middle Georgia Regional Airport, GA
    (Lat. 32[deg]41'34'' N., long. 83[deg]38'57'' W.)
Macon Downtown Airport
    (Lat. 32[deg]49'18'' N., long. 83[deg]33'43'' W.)
Robins AFB
    (Lat. 32[deg]38'25'' N., long. 83[deg]35'31'' W.)
Perry-Houston County Airport
    (Lat. 32[deg]30'38'' N., long. 83[deg]46'02'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.8-mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional Airport, and 
within a 8.8-mile radius of Macon Downtown Airport, and within a 7-
mile radius of Robins AFB, and within a 9.8-mile radius of Perry-
Houston County Airport.


    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on August 16, 2013.
Kip B. Johns,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2013-20504 Filed 8-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P