[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5750-5751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02140]



[[Page 5750]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1061; Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-20]


Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace, and 
Removal of Class E Airspace; Binghamton, NY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E 
surface airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface; and remove Class E airspace designated as an 
extension to a Class D surface area; at Greater Binghamton Airport/
Edwin A. Link Field (formerly Binghamton Regional Airport/Edwin A. Link 
Field), Binghamton, NY. This action would accommodate airspace 
reconfiguration due to the decommissioning of the Binghamton VHF omni-
directional radio range tactical air navigation aid (VORTAC), and 
cancellation of the VOR approaches. Controlled airspace is necessary 
for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) 
operations at the airport. This action also would update the geographic 
coordinates of the airport, and correct the airport's name. 
Additionally, this action would replace the outdated term ``Airport/
Facility Directory'' with the term ``Chart Supplement'' in Class D and 
E surface airspace descriptions.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; Telephone: 
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify the Docket No. 
FAA-2017-1061; Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-20, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    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 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: John Fornito, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 
Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 30337; 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 amend Class D and Class E airspace at Greater Binghamton 
Airport/Edwin A. Link Field, Binghamton, NY, to support IFR operations 
at the airport.

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on 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 (Docket No. FAA-
2017-1061 and Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-20) and be submitted in 
triplicate to DOT Docket Operations (see ADDRESSES section for the 
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 FAA 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1061; Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-20.'' 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 document may be changed in light of the 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. 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 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/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, GA 30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend 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 Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend Class D airspace, Class E surface

[[Page 5751]]

airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more 
above the surface at Greater Binghamton Airport/Edwin A. Link Field, 
Binghamton, NY (formerly Binghamton Regional Airport/Edwin A. Link 
Field), due to the decommissioning of the Binghamton VORTAC, and 
cancellation of the VOR approaches. These changes would enhance the 
safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.
    The Class D airspace area would be amended to within a 4.4-mile 
radius (from a 4.3-mile radius) of Greater Binghamton Airport/Edwin A. 
Link Field.
    The Class E surface area airspace would be amended to within a 4.4-
mile radius (increased from a 4.3-mile radius) of Greater Binghamton 
Airport/Edwin A. Link Field. The Binghamton VORTAC would be removed as 
it is being decommissioned. The SMITE LOM, and ILS Runway 34 Localizer 
navigation aids are no longer needed in the airspace redesign.
    The Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D 
surface area would be removed as this airspace was only necessary for 
the cancelled approaches. Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface would be amended to within a 7-mile radius 
(initially from a boundary line formed by the geographic coordinates) 
of the airport. The exclusionary language contained in the legal 
description would be removed to comply with FAA Order 7400.2L, 
Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters. Also, an editorial change 
would be made by adding the airport's geographic coordinates to the 
airspace designation.
    The geographic coordinates of the airport also would be adjusted in 
the classes of airspace listed above to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database, and the airport name would be updated to Greater 
Binghamton Airport/Edwin A. Link Field, formerly Binghamton Regional 
Airport/Edwin A. Link Field.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 5000, 
6002, 6004, 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.

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 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.

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 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA NY D Binghamton, NY [Amended]

Greater Binghamton Airport/Edwin A. Link Field, NY
    (Lat. 42[deg]12'30'' N, long. 75[deg]58'47'' W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
4,100 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of Greater Binghamton 
Airport/Edwin A. Link Field. This Class D airspace area is effective 
during the specific days and times established in advance by a 
Notice to Airmen. The effective days and times will thereafter be 
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Area Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA NY E2 Binghamton, NY [Amended]

Greater Binghamton Airport/Edwin A. Link Field, NY
    (Lat. 42[deg]12'30'' N, long. 75[deg]58'47'' W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.4-mile 
radius of Greater Binghamton Airport/Edwin A. Link Field. This Class 
E airspace area is effective during the specific days and times 
established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective days and 
times will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart 
Supplement.

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

* * * * *

AEA NY E4 Binghamton, NY [Removed]

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

* * * * *

AEA NY E5 Binghamton, NY [Amended]

Greater Binghamton Airport/Edwin A. Link Field, NY
    (Lat. 42[deg]12'30'' N, long. 75[deg]58'47'' W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Greater Binghamton Airport/Edwin A. Link 
Field.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on January 29, 2018.
Ryan W. Almasy,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2018-02140 Filed 2-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P