[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 240 (Friday, December 14, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64245-64247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26802]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0223; Airspace Docket No. 17-ANM-9]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and E Airspace; Casper, WY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace, and Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface, and removes 
Class E airspace designated as an extension, at Casper/Natrona County 
International Airport, Casper WY. After a biennial review, the FAA 
finds this action necessary to accommodate airspace redesign for the 
safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations 
within the National Airspace System. Also, this action updates the 
airport's name and geographic coordinates for the associated Class D 
and E airspace areas to reflect the FAA's current aeronautical 
database.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, February 28, 2019. 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 7400.11C, 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 this material 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: Bonnie Malgarini, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198-6547; telephone (206) 231-2329.

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

[[Page 64246]]

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 modifies Class D and E airspace at Casper/Natrona 
County International Airport, Casper, WY, in support of IFR operations 
at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (83 FR 4865; February 2, 2018) for Docket No. FAA-2017-0223 to 
amend Class D airspace; remove Class E airspace designated as an 
extension; reduce Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface, and remove Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 
feet above the surface, at Casper/Natrona County International Airport, 
Casper WY. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the 
FAA. One comment was received from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots 
Association (AOPA).
    AOPA stated that the NPRM did not comply with FAA guidance in Order 
7400.2, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters, because a graphic was 
not included in the docket. Additionally, AOPA encouraged the FAA to 
follow their guidance in the Order by making the action effective date 
coincidental to the sectional chart publication date.
    The FAA has determined AOPA's comments raised no substantive issues 
with respect to the proposed changes to the airspace addressed in the 
NPRM. To the extent the FAA failed to follow its policy guidance 
reference publishing graphics in the docket and establishing the Class 
D airspace effective date to match the sectional chart date, we note 
the following.
    With respect to AOPA's comment addressing graphics, FAA Order 
74002.L, para 2-3-3.c. requires the official docket to include 
available graphics. For this airspace action, a graphic was produced 
and added to the docket on February 15, 2018.
    Specific to AOPA's comment regarding the FAA already creating a 
graphical depiction of new or modified airspace overlaid on a Sectional 
Chart for quality assurance purposes, this is not correct nor required 
in all cases. During the airspace reviews, airspace graphics may be 
created, if deemed necessary, to determine if there are any terrain 
issues, or if cases are considered complex. However, in many cases when 
developing an airspace amendment proposal, a graphic is not needed. It 
was unclear if the graphic AOPA suggested was already created with a 
sectional chart background was actually the airspace graphic created by 
the Aeronautical Informational Services office in preparation of 
publishing the sectional charts. However, that graphic is normally 
created after the rulemaking determination is published.
    With respect to AOPA's comment addressing effective dates, FAA 
Order 7400.2L, para 2-3-7.a.4. states that, to the extent practicable, 
Class D airspace area and restricted area rules should become effective 
on a sectional chart date and that consideration should be given to 
selecting a sectional chart date that matches a 56-day en route chart 
cycle date. The FAA does consider publishing Class D airspace amendment 
effective dates to coincide with the publication of sectional charts, 
to the extent practicable; however, this consideration is accomplished 
after the NPRM comment period ends. Substantive comments received to 
NPRMs, flight safety concerns, management of IFR operations at affected 
airports, and immediacy of requiring proposed airspace amendments are 
some of the factors that must be taken into consideration when 
selecting the appropriate effective date. After considering all 
factors, the FAA may determine that selecting an effective date that 
conforms to a 56-day enroute chart cycle date that is not coincidental 
to sectional chart dates is better for the NAS and users than awaiting 
the next sectional chart date.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 
5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11C, dated 
August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and E airspace 
designation 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 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 
2018. FAA Order 7400.11C is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11C 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 D airspace and Class E surface area airspace at 
Casper/Natrona County International Airport (formerly Natrona County 
International Airport) to within a 4.9-mile radius (from a 4.3-mile 
radius) of the airport from the airport 294[deg] bearing clockwise to 
the airport 193[deg] bearing, and within a 7-mile radius (from a 4.3-
mile radius) of the airport from the 193[deg] bearing clockwise to the 
airport 294[deg] bearing.
    This action also removes Class E airspace designated as an 
extension to Class D or E surface area.
    Additionally, Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface is reduced to within a 9.5-mile radius of the airport (from 
a 24-mile radius) from the airport 248[deg] bearing clockwise to the 
airport 294[deg] bearing, and within a 7-mile radius from the airport 
294[deg] bearing clockwise to the airport 004[deg] bearing, with 
segments extending to 13.5 miles northeast, 10.4 miles east, 16.9 miles 
southwest. Also, Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet 
above the surface is removed since it is wholly contained within the 
larger Casper Class E en route airspace, and duplication is not needed.
    This rule also updates the airport's geographic coordinates in the 
associated Class D and E airspace to reflect the FAA's current 
aeronautical database. Lastly, this action replaces the outdated term 
``Airport/Facility Directory'' with the term ``Chart Supplement'' in 
the Class D and associated Class E airspace legal descriptions. These 
modifications are necessary for the safety and management of IFR 
operations at the airport.

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, will 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

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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 7400.11C, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and 
effective September 15, 2018, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ANM WY D Casper, WY [Amended]

Casper/Natrona County International Airport, WY
    (Lat. 42[deg]54'21'' N, long. 106[deg]27'49'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
7,800 feet MSL within a 4.9-mile radius of Casper/Natrona County 
International Airport clockwise from the airport 294[deg] bearing to 
the airport 193[deg] bearing and within a 7-mile radius of the 
airport clockwise from the airport 193[deg] bearing to the airport 
294[deg] bearing. 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 Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ANM WY E2 Casper, WY [Amended]

Casper/Natrona County International Airport, WY
    (Lat. 42[deg]54'21'' N, long. 106[deg]27'49'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.9-
mile radius of Casper/Natrona County International Airport clockwise 
from the airport 294[deg] bearing to the airport 193[deg] bearing 
and within a 7-mile radius of the airport clockwise from the airport 
193[deg] bearing to the airport 294[deg] bearing. 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 Chart 
Supplement.

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

* * * * *

ANM WY E4 Casper, WY [Removed]

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

* * * * *

ANM WY E5 Casper, WY [Amended]

Casper/Natrona County International Airport, WY
    (Lat. 42[deg]54'21'' N, long. 106[deg]27'49'' W)

    That airspace upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 
9.5-mile radius of Casper/Natrona County International Airport from 
the airport 248[deg] bearing clockwise to the airport 294[deg] 
bearing and within a 7-mile radius of the airport from the airport 
294[deg] bearing clockwise to the airport 004[deg] bearing and 
within 3.9 miles northwest and 4.8 miles southeast of the airport 
036[deg] bearing extending from the airport to 13.5 miles northeast 
of the airport and within 3.6 miles each side of the airport 
088[deg] bearing extending from the airport to 10.4 miles east of 
the airport and within 4.1 miles each side of the airport 223[deg] 
bearing extending from the airport to 17 miles southwest of the 
airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on November 30, 2018.
Shawn M. Kozica,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2018-26802 Filed 12-13-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P