[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21772-21773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08394]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-7487; Airspace Docket No. 15-ACE-7]


Proposed Amendment of Class D and E Airspace and Revocation of 
Class E Airspace; Sioux City, IA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D and E airspace at Sioux 
Gateway/Col. Bud Day Field, Sioux City, IA, due to the decommissioning 
of the Gateway non-directional radio beacon (NDB) and cancellation of 
the NDB approaches at the airport. The Class E airspace area designated 
as an extension would be removed as it is no longer needed. Advances in 
Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities have made this action 
necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules 
(IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would update the 
geographic coordinates for Martin Field, NE, to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 31, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590; 
telephone (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2015-
7487; Airspace Docket No. 15-ACE-7, at the beginning of your comments. 
You may also submit 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/air_traffic/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: 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 would amend Class D and E airspace at Sioux Gateway/Col. Bud Day 
Field, Sioux City, IA.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking 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 and be submitted in 
triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to 
acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with 
those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the 
following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. FAA-2015-7487/
Airspace Docket No. 15-ACE-7.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at 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 the address and phone number) 
between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. An informal

[[Page 21773]]

docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Central Service 
Center, Operations Support Group, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, 
TX 76177.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRMs should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, 
for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application 
procedure.

Availability and Summary of Documents Proposed for Incorporation by 
Reference

    This document would 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 proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) Part 71 by modifying Class E surface area airspace 
and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
at Sioux Gateway/Col. Bud Day Field, Sioux City, IA. The Class E 
airspace area designated as an extension also would be removed as the 
extension is no longer needed. Decommissioning of the Gateway NDB and 
cancellation of the NDB approaches due to advances in GPS capabilities 
have made airspace reconfiguration is necessary at this airport. The 
geographic coordinates noted in Class D and E surface area airspace for 
South Sioux City, Martin Field, NE, also would be adjusted.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 
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 71.1. The Class E airspace designations listed 
in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this 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.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, 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 14 CFR 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.

* * * * *

ACE IA D Sioux City, IA [Amended]

Sioux City, Sioux Gateway/Col. Bud Day Field, IA
    (lat. 42[deg]24'09'' N., long. 96[deg]23'04'' W.)
South Sioux City, Martin Field, NE
    (lat. 42[deg]27'19'' N., long. 96[deg]28'20'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,600 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Sioux Gateway/Col. Bud 
Day Field, excluding that airspace within a 1-mile radius of South 
Sioux City, Martin Field. 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.

* * * * *

ACE IA E2 Sioux City, IA [Amended]

Sioux City, Sioux Gateway/Col. Bud Day Field, IA
    (Lat. 42[deg]24'09'' N., long. 96[deg]23'04'' W.)
South Sioux City, Martin Field, NE
    (Lat. 42[deg]27'19'' N., long. 96[deg]28'20'' W.)

    Within a 4.3-mile radius of Sioux Gateway/Col. Bud Day Field, 
excluding that airspace within a 1-mile radius of the South Sioux 
City, Martin 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 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

ACE IA E4 Sioux City, IA [Removed]

* * * * *

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

* * * * *

ACE IA E5 Sioux City, IA [Amended]

Sioux City, Sioux Gateway Airport/Col. Bud Day Field, IA
    (Lat. 42[deg]24'09'' N., long. 96[deg]23'04'' W.)
Sioux City VORTAC
    (Lat. 42[deg]20'40'' N., long. 96[deg]19'25'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.8-mile radius of Sioux Gateway Airport/Col. Bud Day 
Field, and within 3.9 miles each side of the 319 [deg] radial of the 
Sioux City VORTAC extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 14.4 miles 
northwest of the VORTAC, and within 4 miles each side of the 001 
[deg] bearing from Sioux Gateway Airport/Col. Bud Day Field 
extending from the 6.8-mile radius of the airport to 12 miles 
northwest of the airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 4, 2016.
Robert W. Beck,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2016-08394 Filed 4-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P