[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 144 (Friday, July 28, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35058-35060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15867]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9474; Airspace Docket No. 16-AWP-24]


Amendment of Class E Airspace Areas, and Establishment of Class E 
Airspace; Bishop, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E surface area airspace, and Class 
E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Bishop 
Airport (formerly Eastern Sierra Regional Airport), Bishop, CA. This 
action also establishes Class E surface area airspace designated as an 
extension at this airport. After a review, the FAA found these 
modifications are necessary for the safety and management of Instrument 
Flight Rules aircraft operations at the airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, October 12, 2017. 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 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on line 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 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 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Clark, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4511.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 35059]]

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 Class E airspace at Bishop Airport, Bishop, CA, to support 
standard instrument approach procedures for IFR operations at the 
airport.

History

    On March 23, 2017, the FAA published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register (82 FR 14841) Docket No. FAA-
2016-9474 to modify Class E surface area airspace, and Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and establish Class E 
surface area airspace designated as an extension at Bishop Airport, 
Bishop, CA. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the 
FAA. No comments were received.
    After publication of the NPRM, the FAA determined the proposed 
reduction to Class E airspace upward from 1,200 feet included an error 
in the proposed legal description. The airspace area should be reduced 
northwest of the airport, but should continue to extend to 18.7 miles 
southeast of the airport, instead of reduced to 10.4 miles southeast, 
as stated in the NPRM. This action corrects the error.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6002, 6004 
and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11A dated August 3, 2016, and 
effective September 15, 2016, 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.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 
2016. FAA Order 7400.11A is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11A lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by modifying Class E surface area airspace, modifying Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and 
establishing Class E surface area airspace designated as an extension, 
at Bishop Airport, Bishop, CA.
    Class E surface area airspace is modified to within a 5-mile radius 
(from a 4.2-mile radius) of Bishop Airport, with 2 segments extending 
from the 5-mile radius to 6.9 miles northwest of the airport, and 9.6 
miles north-northwest of the airport, respectively.
    Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
is modified to within a 6.7-mile radius of Bishop Airport, with a 7.2-
mile wide segment extending to 11.5 miles northeast of the airport. 
Also, the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the 
surface is reduced northwest of the airport, as this area largely 
duplicates the Coaldale, NV, Class E en route airspace area, but 
retains a small area southeast of the airport to support current IFR 
operations. Additionally, Class E airspace extending upward from 12,500 
feet MSL is removed, as this airspace supports no current IFR 
operations.
    These airspace modifications are necessary for the safety and 
management of IFR operations in standard instrument approach and 
departure procedures at the airport. Additionally, the airport name is 
changed from Eastern Sierra Regional Airport to Bishop Airport, to be 
in concert with the FAA's aeronautical database.

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 5-6.5a. 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 7400.11A, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and 
effective September 15, 2016, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

AWP CA E2 Bishop, CA [Modified]

Bishop Airport, CA
    (Lat. 37[deg]22'23'' N., long. 118[deg]21'49'' W.)

    Within a 5-mile radius of Bishop Airport.

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

* * * * *

AWP CA E4 Bishop, CA [New]

Bishop Airport, CA
    (Lat. 37[deg]22'23'' N., long. 118[deg]21'49'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.2 miles 
each side of a 315[deg] bearing from Bishop Airport extending from 
the 5-mile radius of the airport to 6.9 miles northwest of the 
airport, and within 1.2 miles each side of a 337[deg] bearing from 
the airport

[[Page 35060]]

extending from the 5-mile radius of the airport to 9.6 miles 
northwest of the airport.

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

* * * * *

AWP CA E5 Bishop, CA [Modified]

Bishop Airport, CA
    (Lat. 37[deg]22'23'' N., long. 118[deg]21'49'' W.)

    That airspace upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 
6.7-mile radius of Bishop Airport, and within 4 miles west and 3.2 
miles east of a 337[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 
6.7-mile radius of the airport to 15.2 miles northwest of the 
airport. That airspace upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within 3 miles southwest and 11.5 miles northeast of a 157[deg] 
bearing from Bishop Airport extending from the airport to 18.7 miles 
southeast of the airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on July 19, 2017.
Sam S.L. Shrimpton,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2017-15867 Filed 7-27-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P