[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44915-44917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20592]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2016-9481; Airspace Docket No. 16-ASW-18]
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Midland, TX and Establishment of
Class E Airspace; Odessa, TX and Midland, TX
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from
700 feet above the surface at Midland International Air and Space Port
Airport (formerly Midland International Airport), Midland, TX, due to
the closing of Mabee Ranch Airport, decommissioning of the Mabee non-
directional radio beacon (NDB), and cancellation of NDB approaches at
Mabee Ranch Airport. Additionally, this action establishes Class E
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Odessa
Airport-Schlemeyer Field, Odessa, TX and Midland Airpark, Midland, TX,
to accommodate special instrument approach procedures developed at
these airports to enhance the safety and management of standard
instrument approach procedures for instrument flight rules (IFR)
operations. Also, an editorial change is made to the Class E surface
area airspace legal description replacing Airport/Facility Directory
with the term Chart Supplement. In addition, the airport name is
changed to Midland International Air and Space Port Airport to coincide
with the FAA's aeronautical database.
DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 7, 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 7400.11B, 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
[[Page 44916]]
Order 7400.11B at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is
published yearly and effective on September 15.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Rebecca Shelby, Federal Aviation
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5857.
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 Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the
surface at Midland International Air Space Port Airport by removing
Mabee Ranch Airport, Midland, TX, due to closing of the airport; and
establishes Class E airspace at Odessa Airport-Schlemeyer Field,
Odessa, TX, and Midland Airpark, Midland, TX, to support special
instrument approach procedures for IFR operations at these airports.
History
On May 26, 2017, the FAA published in the Federal Register (82 FR
24266) Docket No. FAA-2016-9481, a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
to amend Class E airspace at Midland International Air and Space Port
Airport, Midland, TX; and establish Class E airspace extending upward
from 700 feet above the surface at Odessa Airport-Schlemeyer Field,
Odessa, TX, and Midland Airpark, Midland, TX. Interested parties were
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.
Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6002, and
6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11B, dated August 3, 2017, and
effective September 15, 2017, 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 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15,
2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B 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 E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above
the surface to within a 7.1-mile radius (from a 17.4-mile radius) of
Midland International Air and Space Port Airport, Midland, TX, and also
amends the airport name from Midland International Airport to Midland
International Air and Space Port Airport in this and other associated
Class E airspace areas. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to
the closing of Mabee Ranch Airport, and decommissioning and
cancellation of the Mabee NDB and NDB approaches.
This action also established Class E airspace extending upward from
700 feet above the surface within a 6.6-mile radius of both Midland
Airpark, Midland, TX and Odessa Airport-Schlemeyer Field, Odessa, TX,
to accommodate special instrument approach procedures for IFR
operations at these airports.
Additionally, this action makes an editorial change in the legal
description by replacing Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart
Supplement in the Class E surface area airspace.
Class E airspace areas are published in Paragraph 6002 and 6005,
respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11B, dated August 3, 2017, and
effective September 15, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in 14
CFR 71.1. The 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 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:
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 7400.11B,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and
effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.
* * * * *
ASW TX E2 Midland International Air and Space Port Airport, TX
[Amended]
Midland International Air and Space Port Airport, TX
(Lat. 31[deg]56'33'' N., long. 102[deg]12'07'' W.)
Within a 5-mile radius of Midland International Air and Space
Port Airport. This Class E airspace area is effective during the
specific dates and times established in
[[Page 44917]]
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will
thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
ASW TX E5 Midland, TX [Amended]
Midland International Air and Space Port Airport, TX
(Lat. 31[deg]56'33'' N., long. 102[deg]12'07'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.1-mile radius of Midland International Air and Space Port
Airport.
ASW TX E5 Midland, TX [New]
Midland Airpark, TX
(Lat. 32[deg]02'12'' N., long. 102[deg]06'05'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6.6-mile radius of Midland Airpark.
* * * * *
ASW TX E5 Odessa, TX [New]
Odessa Airport-Schlemeyer Field, TX
(Lat. 31[deg]55'17'' N., long. 102[deg]23'14'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6.6-mile radius of Odessa Airport-Schlemeyer Field Airport.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 19, 2017.
Walter Tweedy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2017-20592 Filed 9-26-17; 8:45 am]
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