[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 200 (Friday, October 16, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62447-62449]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25991]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1136; Airspace Docket No. 15-ANM-12]


Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, Revocation of Class E 
Airspace; Mountain Home, ID

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class D airspace, Class E surface area 
airspace, Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface, and removes Class E surface area airspace designated as an 
extension at Mountain Home AFB, Mountain Home, ID. The FAA found it 
necessary to amend the airspace area by increasing the Class D airspace 
and reducing the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules 
(IFR) operations for arriving and departing aircraft at the airport and 
to change from navigation aids to geographic coordinate references in 
the legal description. This action updates the geographic coordinates 
of Mountain Home Municipal Airport, Mountain Home, ID.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 10, 2015. 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.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy and ATC Regulations Group, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 29591; 
telephone: 202-267-8783. The Order is also available for inspection at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-
6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Haga, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA, 98057; telephone (425) 203-4500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 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

[[Page 62448]]

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 Mountain Home AFB, 
ID.

History

    On July 28, 2015, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to modify Class D airspace, Class 
E surface area airspace, Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface, and remove Class E surface area airspace 
designated as an extension at Mountain Home AFB, Mountain Home, ID, (80 
FR 44896). Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the 
FAA. One comment was received from Mr. Ted Thompson expressing concern 
about the reduction of Class E airspace to the west of Mountain Home 
Municipal airport if an instrument approach is established from the 
west. In accordance with FAA Joint Order 7400.2K, airspace is 
established based upon existing procedures. Any changes to airspace 
that would be required by the development of a new instrument procedure 
would be addressed at that time. Subsequent to publication, the FAA 
found slight changes were necessary in the geographic coordinates noted 
in the legal description of the Class E airspace extending upward from 
1,200 feet above surface.
    Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in 
paragraph 5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 
7400.9Z, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 2015, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Class E airspace 
designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.9Z, airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 
2015. FAA Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists Class A, B, 
C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting 
points.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 modifies Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class 
E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and 
removes Class E surface area airspace as an extension at Mountain Home 
AFB, Mountain Home, ID. After a review, the FAA found an increase of 
the Class D airspace necessary to protect instrument arrival procedures 
at the airport. Class D airspace is extended upward from the surface to 
and including 5,500 feet within a 5-mile radius of Mountain Home AFB, 
extending to 6.5 miles to the southeast and northwest of the airport. 
Class E surface area airspace extends upward from the surface within a 
5-mile radius of Mountain Home AFB, extending to 6.5 miles to the 
southeast and northwest of the airport. Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface is modified to within a 7.7-mile 
radius northeast of Mountain Home AFB, extending to 12.4 miles to the 
northeast, and 17.7 miles to the east. The lateral boundary for that 
Class E airspace extending from 1,200 feet above the surface is defined 
utilizing latitude and longitude reference points instead of Federal 
airway reference, and does not change the lateral boundaries or 
operating requirements of the 1,200 foot airspace. This action also 
updates the geographic coordinates of Mountain Home Municipal Airport, 
Mountain Home, ID.

 Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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 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.

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(f), 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 FAA Order 7400.9Z, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and 
effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace

* * * * *

ANM ID D Mountain Home, ID [Modified]

Mountain Home AFB, ID
    (Lat. 43[deg]02'37'' N., long. 115[deg]52'21'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
5,500 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of the Mountain Home AFB and 
within 2 miles each side of the 135[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 5-mile radius to 6.5 miles southeast of the 
airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 315[deg] bearing from 
the airport extending from the 5-mile radius to 6.5 miles northwest 
of the 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 ID E2 Mountain Home, ID [Modified]

Mountain Home AFB, ID
    (Lat. 43[deg]02'37'' N., long. 115[deg]52'21'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 5-mile 
radius of the Mountain Home AFB, and within 2 miles each side of the 
135[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 5-mile radius 
to 6.5 miles southeast of the airport, and within 2 miles each side 
of the 315[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 5-mile 
radius to 6.5 miles northwest of the airport.

[[Page 62449]]

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

ANM ID E4 Mountain Home, ID [Removed]

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth

* * * * *

ANM ID E5 Mountain Home, ID [Modified]

Mountain Home AFB, ID
    (Lat. 43[deg]02'37'' N., long. 115[deg]52'21'' W.)
Mountain Home Municipal Airport
    (Lat. 43[deg]07'54'' N., long. 115[deg]43'50'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
bounded by a line beginning at lat. 43[deg]06'48'' N., long. 
115[deg]28'39'' W.; to lat. 43[deg]02'06'' N., long. 115[deg]31'12'' 
W.; to lat. 43[deg]03'25'' N., long. 115[deg]36'21'' W.; to lat. 
42[deg]54'24'' N., long. 115[deg]48'41'' W.; to lat. 42[deg]54'24'' 
N., long. 115[deg]56'47'' W.; to lat. 43[deg]00'12'' N., long. 
116[deg]04'42'' W.; to lat. 43[deg]06'51'' N., long. 116[deg]01'24'' 
W.; to lat. 43[deg]09'22'' N., long. 115[deg]57'57'' W.; to lat. 
43[deg]12'54'' N., long. 115[deg]42'51'' W., thence to point of 
beginning, that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the 
surface bounded by a line beginning at lat. 43[deg]33'06'' N., long. 
116[deg]11'32'' W.; to lat. 42[deg]48'43'' N., long. 115[deg]00'21'' 
W.; to lat. 42[deg]23'58'' N., long. 115[deg]00'21'' W.; to lat. 
42[deg]23'58'' N., long. 115[deg]18'28'' W.; thence clockwise along 
the 46.0-mile radius of Mountain Home AFB to lat. 43[deg]09'17'' N., 
long. 116[deg]54'28'' W.; thence to point of beginning.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on October 1, 2015.
Christopher Ramirez,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2015-25991 Filed 10-15-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P