[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65668-65670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25540]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-1002; Airspace Docket No. 18-AWP-23]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class E Airspace: Madera, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface at Madera Municipal Airport, Madera, 
CA, eliminates references to the Clovis and Friant Very High Frequency 
Omni-Directional Range/Tactical Air Navigation Aids (VORTAC) from the 
Airspace description, and updates the airport's geographic coordinates 
to match the FAA's aeronautical database. In addition, this action 
updates the airspace lateral dimensions to meet current requirements. 
This action supports the operation of Instrument flight Rules (IFR) 
under standard instrument approach and departure procedures in the 
National Airspace System.

[[Page 65669]]


DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, January 30, 2020. 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 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on line at https://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 7400.11D at NARA, email [email protected] 
or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal_register/cfr/ibr_locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S. 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-2245.

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 the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface at Madera Municipal Airport, Madera, CA, and updates the 
airspace lateral dimensions to meet current requirements, to support 
IFR operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (84 FR 25205; May 31, 2019) DOCKET NO. FAA-2018-1002, to 
modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface at Madera Municipal Airport, Madera, CA, and to update the 
airspace lateral dimensions to meet current requirements. Interested 
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by 
submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. The FAA 
received a single anonymous comment asking ``[h]ow will this effect 
(sic) global warming?'' The FAA does not find this a substantive 
comment to the proposal. The airspace does not control where aircraft 
fly but defines the area within which all aircraft operators are 
subject to operating rules and equipment requirements.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005 of 
FAA Order 7400.11D, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 
2019, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E 
airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in that Order. FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, is published yearly and effective on September 
15.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 
2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D 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 the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface at Madera Municipal Airport, Madera, CA, 
eliminating references to the Clovis and Friant Very High Frequency 
Omni-Directional Range/Tactical Air Navigation Aids (VORTAC) from the 
legal description, as they are no longer needed. This action also 
updates the airport's geographic coordinates to match the FAA's 
aeronautical database. Finally, this action updates the lateral 
dimensions to meet current airspace requirements by removing 4.4 miles 
of airspace extending to the southeast, adding 0.4 miles to the radius 
around the Airport Reference Point and adding a portion that extends 1 
mile each side of the 316[deg] bearing from the 4.4 mile radius to 1.5 
miles northwest. This action supports the operation of Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) under standard instrument approach and departure 
procedures in the National Airspace System.

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. Given 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 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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

[[Page 65670]]

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

* * * * *

AWP CA E5 Madera, CA [Amend]

Madera Municipal Airport, CA
    (Lat. 36[deg]59'11'' N., long. 120[deg]06'45'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 4.4-mile radius of the Madera Municipal Airport and within 
2.8 miles each side of the 112[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 6 miles southeast of the 
airport and that airspace 1.8 miles either side of the 80[deg] 
bearing from a point in space, coordinates lat. 37[deg] 01' 29'' N., 
long. 120[deg] 09' 06'' W., extending from the 4.4 mile radius to 
7.2 miles from the point in space coordinates and that airspace 1 
mile either side of the 316[deg] bearing from the Madera Municipal 
Airport extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 5.5 miles northwest.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, November 19, 2019.
Byron Chew,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2019-25540 Filed 11-27-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P