[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 121 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28981-28983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13375]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 73
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0470; Airspace Docket No. 18-ASW-2]
RIN 2120-AA66
Modification to Restricted Area R-5601F and Establishment of
Restricted Area R-5601J; Fort Sill, OK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule, technical amendment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action amends the restricted areas at Fort Sill, OK, to
subdivide R-5601F into two subareas, R-5601F and R-5601J, make a minor
correction to one boundary point in R-5601G, and to update and
standardize the using agency information for each restricted area in
the Fort Sill restricted area complex. The FAA is taking this action to
allow for more efficient use of the airspace during periods when
military activities only require the eastern portions of the restricted
area complex. The airspace modifications are fully contained within the
existing lateral and vertical boundaries of the Fort Sill, OK,
restricted airspace. The using agency information update to each of the
restricted areas in the Fort Sill complex is editorial only.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 13, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy Group,
Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
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
the 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 existing restricted area R-5601F by subdividing
it into R-5601F and R-5601J, and updates the using agency information
for each of the restricted areas at Fort Sill, OK.
History
R-5601F is an irregularly shaped restricted area in the Fort Sill,
OK, restricted area complex used to contain hazardous activities. It
connects the Military Operations Areas located to the north with the R-
5601 gunnery ranges located to the south and stretches the entire
length of the Fort Sill restricted area complex laterally from west to
east, from 500 feet above ground level (AGL) to Flight Level 400 in
altitude. The United States (U.S.) Army normally trains in the eastern
restricted areas, R-5601A, R-5601B, and R-5601F, while the U.S. Air
Force normally trains in the western areas, R-5601C, R-5601D, R-5601E,
R-5601F, and R-5601G. When the using agency only requires the eastern
areas to support its hazardous training activities, it results in the
R-5601F restricted area being activated across the entire northern
boundary of the restricted areas being activated, and creates a 14-mile
extension of restricted area airspace that is not needed for the
training activities being conducted.
The activation of R-5601F, and the unintended consequences of the
14-mile extension of restricted area airspace extending westward beyond
the eastern Fort Sill restricted areas, primarily impacts the high
altitude commercial air carriers inbound to the Dallas-Fort Worth
metroplex area. Routing aircraft to overfly the R-5601F restricted area
results in descent delays that take aircraft off their optimized
descent profiles, and vectoring aircraft to circumnavigate the R-5601F
restricted area laterally to the west adds miles and flight time to
each aircraft. Additionally, these mitigations to overcome the unneeded
extension of the R-5601F restricted area when only the eastern Fort
Sill restricted areas are required also increases air traffic
complexity and controller workload.
In December 2017, the FAA supported a U.S. Army laser air defense
exercise conducted at Fort Sill, OK, using existing permanent
restricted areas and two temporary restricted areas established
overhead the Fort Sill restricted area complex. As part of a lessons
learned review of the exercise, the FAA determined that subdividing the
existing R-5601F restricted area laterally into two restricted areas,
activated independently, would lessen aeronautical impacts to air
traffic operating in the central United States.
Further, subdividing the existing R-5601F laterally into two
separate restricted areas enhances the efficient
[[Page 28982]]
use of the National Airspace System by providing for activation of the
minimum amount of restricted area airspace needed for hazardous
military training activities and releases unneeded restricted areas for
access by other airspace users.
Lastly, while staffing this airspace action to subdivide R-5601F
laterally, the FAA also determined that one geographic point in the R-
5601G boundary information needed to be adjusted and the using agency
information needed to be updated in all of the restricted areas in the
R-5601 complex. The minor R-5601G boundary point change was deemed
necessary to ensure the accuracy of the shared boundaries with the two
new subdivided restricted areas and the using agency editorial updates
was necessary for clarity and standardization in all of the restricted
areas in the R-5601 complex.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 73 by subdividing restricted area R-
5601F in the Fort Sill, OK, restricted area complex into two subareas,
R-5601F (amended) and R-5601J (new), divided laterally by a shared
boundary extending from lat. 34[deg]45'03'' N, long. 98[deg]29'44'' W
to lat. 34[deg]43'30'' N, long. 98[deg]35'40'' W. The subarea portion
of the current R-5601F established west of the shared boundary will
continue to be designated R-5601F, and the subarea portion established
east of the shared boundary will be designated R-5601J. This action
does not alter the existing lateral or vertical boundaries of the
restricted area airspace or the operations currently conducted in that
airspace. The subdivision of the current R-5601F restricted area
minimizes impacts to high altitude commercial air carriers inbound to
the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area unnecessarily when only the
eastern R-5601 complex restricted areas are required for training by
the using agency at Fort Sill, OK.
This action also makes a minor change to one geographic point in
the boundaries information listed in the R-5601G description due to
improved digital charting capabilities. This change ensures the
accuracy of the shared boundaries between restricted areas R-5601F and
R-5601J with R-5601G, and that all three restricted areas meet at the
same shared boundary point.
Additionally, this action makes editorial changes to the using
agency information listed in each of the Fort Sill restricted area
descriptions for clarity and standardization. The using agency is
unchanged, but simply amended in the descriptions to reflect the
military unit responsible for ensuring the restricted areas are used
for their designated purpose, scheduling the restricted areas, and
coordinating the restricted area airspace use with the controlling
agency. The Fort Sill using agency concurs with this editorial update.
These modifications do not change the current lateral boundaries,
designated altitudes, times of designation, or activities conducted
within the Fort Sill restricted area complex; therefore, notice and
public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.
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.
It, therefore: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under
Department of Transportation (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 of amending the internal
subdivision of restricted area R-5601F within the Fort Sill, OK,
complex qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National
Environmental Policy Act and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F,
Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5-6.5.d,
``Modification of the technical description of special use airspace
(SUA) that does not alter the dimensions, altitudes, or times of
designation of the airspace (such as changes in designation of the
controlling or using agency, or correction of typographical errors).''
This airspace action is an administrative change to the internal
subdivision of an existing restricted area within the Fort Sill, OK,
restricted area complex. It does not alter the dimensions, altitudes,
time of designation, or use of the airspace. Therefore, this airspace
action is not expected to result in any significant environmental
impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding
Extraordinary Circumstances, this action has been reviewed for factors
and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded action may
have a significant environmental impact requiring further analysis, and
it is determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant
preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact
study.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73
Airspace, Prohibited areas, Restricted areas.
The Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 14 CFR part 73 as follows:
PART 73--SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE
0
1. The authority citation for part 73 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. 73.56 [Amended]
0
2. Sec. 73.56 is amended as follows:
R-5601A Fort Sill, OK [Amended]
* * * * *
By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S.
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill,
OK,'' and adding in its place:
Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.
R-5601B Fort Sill, OK [Amended]
* * * * *
By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S.
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill,
OK,'' and adding in its place:
Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.
R-5601C Fort Sill, OK [Amended]
* * * * *
By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S.
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill,
OK,'' and adding in its place:
Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.
R-5601D Fort Sill, OK [Amended]
* * * * *
By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S.
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE)
[[Page 28983]]
and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, OK,'' and adding in its place:
Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.
R-5601E Fort Sill, OK [Amended]
* * * * *
By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S.
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill,
OK,'' and adding in its place:
Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.
R-5601F Fort Sill, OK [Amended]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 34[deg]46'24'' N, long.
98[deg]52'00'' W; thence clockwise via the 49 NM arc of the Wichita
Falls VORTAC to lat. 34[deg]46'39'' N, long. 98[deg]50'53'' W; to lat.
34[deg]43'46'' N, long. 98[deg]49'55'' W; thence clockwise via the 46
NM arc of the Wichita Falls VORTAC to lat. 34[deg]45'03'' N, long.
98[deg]29'44'' W; to lat. 34[deg]43'30'' N, long. 98[deg]35'40'' W; to
lat. 34[deg]45'00'' N, long. 98[deg]40'31'' W; to lat. 34[deg]42'15''
N, long. 98[deg]50'01'' W; to the point of beginning. Excluding that
airspace below 5,500 feet MSL beginning at lat. 34[deg]44'28'' N, long.
98[deg]46'16'' W; thence clockwise via the 46 NM arc of the Wichita
Falls VORTAC to lat. 34[deg]45'03'' N, long. 98[deg]29'44'' W; to lat.
34[deg]43'30'' N, long. 98[deg]35'40'' W; to lat. 34[deg]45'00'' N,
long. 98[deg]40'31'' W; to lat. 34[deg]43'09'' N, long. 98[deg]46'56''
W; to the point of beginning.
Designated altitudes. 500 feet AGL to FL 400. Times of designation.
Sunrise to 2200 local time, Monday-Friday; other times by NOTAM.
Controlling agency. FAA, Fort Worth ARTCC. Using agency. U.S. Army,
U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.
R-5601G Fort Sill, OK [Amended]
* * * * *
By removing the boundary geographic point ``lat. 34[deg]45'03'' N,
long. 98[deg]29'46'' W'' and adding in its place ``lat. 34[deg]45'03''
N, long. 98[deg]29'44'' W.''
By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S.
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill,
OK,'' and adding in its place:
Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.
R-5601H Fort Sill, OK [Amended]
* * * * *
By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S.
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill,
OK,'' and adding in its place:
Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.
R-5601J Fort Sill, OK [New]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 34[deg]45'03'' N, long.
98[deg]29'44'' W; to lat. 34[deg]46'15'' N, long. 98[deg]25'01'' W; to
lat. 34[deg]47'00'' N, long. 98[deg]17'46'' W; to lat. 34[deg]46'45''
N, long. 98[deg]17'01'' W; to lat. 34[deg]46'06'' N, long.
98[deg]17'01'' W; to lat. 34[deg]46'06'' N, long. 98[deg]21'01'' W; to
lat. 34[deg]43'45'' N, long. 98[deg]21'01'' W; to lat. 34[deg]43'30''
N, long. 98[deg]21'21'' W; to lat. 34[deg]43'30'' N, long.
98[deg]35'40'' W; to the point of beginning. Excluding that airspace
below 5,500 feet MSL beginning at lat. 34[deg]43'30'' N, long.
98[deg]35'40'' W; to lat. 34[deg]44'48'' N, long. 98[deg]30'45'' W; to
lat. 34[deg]43'30'' N, long. 98[deg]30'00'' W; to the point of
beginning; and that airspace below 3,500 feet MSL within a 1 NM radius
of lat. 34[deg]46'46'' N, long. 98[deg]17'46'' W.
Designated altitudes. 500 feet AGL to FL 400. Times of designation.
Sunrise to 2200 local time, Monday-Friday; other times by NOTAM.
Controlling agency. FAA, Fort Worth ARTCC. Using agency. U.S. Army,
U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 13, 2018.
Scott J. Gardner,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-13375 Filed 6-21-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P