[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5905-5906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02037]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-7492; Airspace Docket No. 15-AGL-27]


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Rapid City, SD

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the legal description of the Class E 
airspace area at Rapid City Regional Airport, Rapid City, SD, 
eliminating the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status of the Class 
E surface area airspace, and Class E airspace designated as an 
extension, at the airport. This is an administrative change to coincide 
with the FAA's aeronautical database.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, March 31, 2016. 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 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 
FAA Order 7400.9Z 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: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX, 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.

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 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 Rapid City Regional Airport, Rapid 
City, SD.

History

    In a review of the airspace, the FAA found the airspace for Rapid 
City Regional Airport, Rapid City, SD, as published in FAA Order 
7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, does not require 
part time status. This is an administrative change removing the part 
time NOTAM information from the legal description for the airport.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6002 and 
6004 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 designations 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 action amends Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by eliminating the NOTAM information that reads, ``This Class E 
airspace 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.'' from the regulatory text of Class E surface area airspace, 
and Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D, at Rapid 
City Regional Airport, Rapid City, SD.
    This is an administrative change amending the description for Rapid 
City Regional Airport to be in concert with the FAA's aeronautical 
database, and does not affect the boundaries, or operating requirements 
of the airspace; therefore, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b) are unnecessary.

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 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 5-6.5.a. 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:

[[Page 5906]]

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, 
effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace designated as surface areas.

* * * * *

AGL SD E2 Rapid City, SD (Amended)

Rapid City Regional Airport, SD
    (Lat. 44[deg]02'43'' N., long. 103[deg]03'27'' W.)
Ellsworth AFB, SD
    (Lat. 44[deg]08'42'' N., long. 103[deg]06'13'' W.)
Rapid City VORTAC
    (Lat. 43[deg]58'34'' N., long. 103[deg]00'44'' W.)

    Within a 4.4-mile radius of the Rapid City Regional Airport, 
excluding the portion north of a line between the intersection of 
the Rapid City Regional Airport 4.4-mile radius and the Ellsworth 
AFB 4.7-mile radius, and that airspace extending upward from the 
surface within 2.6 miles each side of the Rapid City VORTAC 
155[deg]/335[deg]. radials extending from the 4.4-mile radius of the 
Rapid City Regional Airport to 7 miles southeast of the VORTAC, 
excluding that airspace within the Rapid City, SD, Class D airspace 
area.
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

AGL SD E4 Rapid City, SD (Amended)

Rapid City Regional Airport, SD
    (Lat. 44[deg]02'43'' N., long. 103[deg]03'27'' W.)
Rapid City VORTAC
    (Lat. 43[deg]58'34'' N., long. 103[deg]00'44'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 2.6 miles 
each side of the Rapid City VORTAC 155[deg]/335[deg] radials 
extending from the 4.4-mile radius of the Rapid City Regional 
Airport to 7 miles southeast of the VORTAC, excluding that airspace 
within the Rapid City, SD, Class D airspace area.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 27, 2016.
Robert W. Beck,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2016-02037 Filed 2-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P