[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 192 (Thursday, October 3, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61179-61180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24149]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0775; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-19]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Comanche, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at Comanche, TX. 
Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate Area Navigation (RNAV) 
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Comanche County-City 
Airport. The FAA found that SIAPs were established for the airport in 
2006, but the Class E airspace area to contain it was never 
established, thereby prohibiting certain aircraft from using the 
procedures. This

[[Page 61180]]

seriously impacts the safety and management of instrument flight rules 
(IFR) operations at the airport. As a result, a Notice to Airmen 
(NOTAM) has been issued suspending the use of the procedures until the 
Class E airspace area is established.

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, November 14, 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 Worth, TX 76137; telephone 817-321-
7716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    In 2006, the RNAV (GPS) RWY 17 standard instrument approach 
procedure was established for Comanche County-City Airport, Comanche, 
TX. The FAA discovered that the Class E transitional airspace area 
required by 14 CFR 71.71(c) was not established to contain the 
procedure. As a result, a NOTAM has been issued to designate the SIAP 
as ``Not Authorized'' due to the lack of Class E airspace, prohibiting 
aircraft from using the SIAP until the required airspace can be 
established.
    Because of this, aircraft are unable to land in instrument 
meteorological conditions, which adversely impacts the utility and the 
safe and efficient use of the airport. Business aircraft based at 
Comanche County-City Airport incur added costs when diverting to 
alternate airports during poor weather conditions, and recreational and 
tourist flights have to be cancelled, creating negative effects on the 
local economy. This also restricts lifesaving aeromedical evacuation 
aircraft, which are forced to add critical flight time to their 
missions to land at alternate airports during periods of low ceilings 
and visibility as the nearest alternate airport with instrument 
approach capability is 20 miles away.
    It is in the public interest to restore IFR operations at Comanche 
County-City Airport as soon as possible to enhance the safe and 
efficient use of airspace at the airport and ensure that any critical 
medical evacuation operations are not delayed. Therefore, I find that 
notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by establishing Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface within an 8.7-mile radius of Comanche County-City 
Airport, Comanche, TX to contain aircraft executing standard instrument 
approach procedures at the airport. Controlled airspace enhances the 
safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.
    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 establishes controlled airspace at Comanche County-City Airport, 
Comanche, 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 7400.9X, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 
2013, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Comanche, TX [New]

Comanche County-City Airport, TX
    (Lat. 31[deg]55'13'' N., long. 98[deg]35'57'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 8.7-mile radius of Comanche County-City Airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 25, 2013.
Christopher L. Southerland,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-24149 Filed 10-2-13; 8:45 am]
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