[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11136-11139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04491]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-7203; Airspace Docket No. 15-ASO-14]


Proposed Establishment of Class D Airspace: Destin, FL; Duke 
Field, Eglin AFB, FL; Proposed Revocation of Class D Airspace; Eglin AF 
Aux No 3 Duke Field, FL; and Proposed Amendment of Class D and E 
Airspace; Eglin Air Force Base, FL; Eglin Hurlburt Field, FL; and 
Crestview, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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[[Page 11137]]

SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class D airspace at Destin, 
FL, providing the controlled airspace required for the Air Traffic 
Control Tower at Destin Executive Airport, (formerly Destin-Fort Walton 
Beach Airport). Additionally, this action would remove Eglin AF Aux No 
3 Duke Field from the Class D designation, and establish Duke Field, 
Eglin AFB, FL in its place. Controlled airspace is necessary for the 
safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at 
the airport. This action also would amend existing Class D and Class E 
airspace by recognizing the airport's name change. This action also 
would change the existing Class D airspace designation at Duke Field, 
Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), FL, and would adjust the geographic 
coordinates of Eglin AFB, Destin Executive Airport, Duke Field, and 
Hurlburt Field, to stay in concert with the FAA's database.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 
Bldg. Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; Telephone: 
1-800-647-5527; Fax: 202-493-2251. You must identify the Docket Number 
FAA-2015-7203; Airspace Docket No. 15-ASO-14, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit and review received comments through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. You may review the public 
docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any final 
disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office 
(telephone 1-800-647-5527), is on the ground floor of the building at 
the above address.
    FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/airtraffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the 
Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 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: John Fornito, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. 
Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-6364.

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 would establish Class D airspace at Destin Executive Airport, 
Destin, FL, and Duke Field Eglin AFB, FL; and remove Class D airspace 
at Eglin AF Aux No 3 Duke Field; and amend Class D and Class E airspace 
at Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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-2015-7203; Airspace Docket No. 15-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-2015-7203; Airspace Docket No. 15-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 8:00 a.m. and 
4:30 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.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend 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 Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to establish Class D airspace up to and 
including 1,600 feet within a 4.4 mile radius of at Destin Executive 
Airport, Destin, FL, providing the controlled airspace required to 
support the Air Traffic

[[Page 11138]]

Control Tower. Additionally, this action would remove the Class D 
designator for Eglin AF Aux No 3 Duke Field, FL, and replace it with 
Duke Field, Eglin AFB, FL. This action would also adjust the geographic 
coordinates in Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, and 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for 
Eglin Air Force Base, FL, Destin Executive Airport, Duke Field, and 
Hurlburt Field, to stay in concert with the FAA's database. Also, 
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport would be changed to Destin Executive 
Airport.
    Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in 
Paragraphs 5000, 6002, 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 71.1. The Class D and Class E 
airspace designation listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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, will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    This proposal would be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``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(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 Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated August 6, 2015, effective September 15, 2015, is amended 
as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO FL D Destin, FL [New]

Destin Executive Airport, FL
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'00'' N., long. 86[deg]28'17'' W.)
Eglin Air Force Base, FL
    (Lat. 30[deg]29'00'' N., long. 86[deg]31'34'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
1,600 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of Destin Executive Airport, 
excluding that portion north of the triangle beginning at lat. 
30[deg]23'39'' N., long. 86[deg]23'13'' W., to lat. 30[deg]27'00'' 
N., long. 86[deg]30'19'' W., to lat. 30[deg]20'54'' N., long. 
86[deg]31'56'' W. This Class D airspace is effective during the 
operating hours of the Destin Executive Airport tower published in 
the Airport/Facility Directory. The airspace is incorporated into 
the Eglin Air Force Base, FL Class D airspace when the tower is 
closed.

ASO FL D Eglin Air Force Base, FL [Amended]

Eglin Air Force Base, FL
    (Lat. 30[deg]29'00'' N., long. 86[deg]31'34'' W.)
Destin Executive Airport
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'00'' N., long. 86[deg]28'17'' W.)
Duke Field
    (Lat. 30[deg]38'55'' N., long. 86[deg]31'19'' W.)
Hurlburt Field
    (Lat. 30[deg]25'44'' N., long. 86[deg]41'20'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 5.5-mile radius of Eglin AFB, and within a 
4.4-mile radius of Destin Executive Airport, excluding the portion 
north of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection within a 
5.2-mile radius centered on Duke Field; excluding the portion 
southwest of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection within a 
5.3-mile radius of Hurlburt Field; excluding a portion east of a 
line beginning at lat. 30[deg]30'43'' N., long. 86[deg]26'21'' W. 
extending east to the 5.5-mile radius of Eglin AFB. When the tower 
at Destin Executive Airport is operational, it excludes Destin's 
Class D airspace defined as that airspace south of the triangle 
beginning at lat. 30[deg]23'39'' N., long. 86[deg]23'13'' W. to lat. 
30[deg]27'00'' N., long. 86[deg]30'19'' W. to lat. 30[deg]20'54'' 
N., long. 86[deg]31'56'' W. from the surface to and including 1,600 
feet MSL.

ASO FL D Eglin AF Aux No 3 Duke Field, FL [Removed]

ASO FL D Duke Field Eglin AFB, FL [New]

Duke Field, FL
    (Lat. 30[deg]38'55'' N., long. 86[deg]31'19'' W.)
Crestview, Bob Sikes Airport
    (Lat. 30[deg]46'44'' N., long. 86[deg]31'20'' W.)
Eglin AFB
    (Lat. 30[deg]29'00'' N., long. 86[deg]31'34'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 5.2-mile radius of Duke Field; excluding the 
portion north of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection with 
a 4.2-mile radius circle centered on Bob Sikes Airport; excluding 
the portion south of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection 
with a 5.5-mile radius circle centered on Eglin AFB. 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.

ASO FL D Eglin Hurlburt Field, FL [Amended]

Eglin, Hurlburt Field, FL
    (Lat. 30[deg]25'44'' N., long. 86[deg]41'20'' W.)
Eglin AFB
    (Lat. 30[deg]29'00'' N., long. 86[deg]31'34'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface, to and 
including 2,500 feet MSL within a 5.3-mile radius of Hurlburt Field; 
excluding the portion northeast of a line connecting the 2 points of 
intersection with a 5.5-mile radius circle centered on Eglin AFB. 
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 Surface Area Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO FL E2 Crestview, FL [Amended]

Bob Sikes Airport, FL
    (Lat. 30[deg]46'44'' N., long. 86[deg]31'20'' W.)
Duke Field, Eglin AFB
    (Lat. 30[deg]38'55'' N., long. 86[deg]31'19'' W.)

    Within a 4.2-mile radius of Bob Sikes Airport; excluding the 
portion south of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection with 
a 5.2-mile radius circle centered on Duke Field This Class E 
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 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ASO FL E5 Eglin Air Force Base, FL [Amended]

Eglin Air Force Base, FL
    (Lat. 30[deg]29'00'' N., long. 86[deg]31'34'' W.)
Destin Executive Airport
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'00'' N., long. 86[deg]28'17'' W.)

[[Page 11139]]

Duke Field
    (Lat. 30[deg]38'55'' N., long. 86[deg]31'19'' W.)
Hurlburt Field
    (Lat. 30[deg]25'44'' N., long. 86[deg]41'20'' W.)
Fort Walton Beach Airport
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'23'' N., long. 86[deg]49'45'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Eglin Air Force Base, and within a 7.8-
mile radius of Destin Executive Airport, and within a 7-mile radius 
of Duke Field, and within a 7-mile radius of Hurlburt Field, 
excluding a 1.5-mile radius of Fort Walton Beach Airport.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on February 23, 2016.
Ryan W. Almasy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2016-04491 Filed 3-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P