[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67886-67889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26608]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0808; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-12]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace and Amendment and 
Revocation of the Class E Airspace; Multiple Texas Towns

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D airspace at Conroe-North 
Houston Regional Airport, Conroe, TX; Scholes International Airport at 
Galveston, Galveston, TX; and Sugar Land Regional Airport, Houston, TX; 
amend Class E surface airspace at Conroe-North Houston Regional 
Airport, Scholes International Airport at Galveston, and Sugar Land 
Regional Airport; revoke the Class E airspace designated as an 
extension to a Class E surface area at Draughon-Miller Central Texas 
Regional Airport, Temple, TX; amend the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Chambers County Airport, 
Anahuac, TX; Scholes International Airport at Galveston; Conroe-North 
Houston Regional Airport; Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, Angleton/
Lake Jackson, TX; and Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport; 
and remove Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface at Wood No. 2 Airport, Brookshire, TX, and Covey Trails 
Airport, Fulshear, TX, which are contained within the Houston, TX, 
airspace legal description. The FAA is proposing this action as the 
result of the decommissioning of the Hobby and Temple VHF 
omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aids, which provided navigation 
information for the instrument procedures at these airports, as part of 
the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The geographic 
coordinates of Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, Chambers County 
Airport, and Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, and the names of 
Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, Scholes International Airport at 
Galveston, and Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport would also be updated 
to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 27, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; telephone 
(202) 366-9826, or (800) 647-5527. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0808; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-12, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. You may review the public docket containing the 
proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in 
the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except federal holidays.
    FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online 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: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.

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,

[[Page 67887]]

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 airspace at Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, Conroe, TX; 
Scholes International Airport at Galveston, Galveston, TX; and Sugar 
Land Regional Airport, Houston, TX; amend Class E surface airspace at 
Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, Scholes International Airport at 
Galveston, and Sugar Land Regional Airport; revoke the Class E airspace 
designated as an extension to a Class E surface area at Draughon-Miller 
Central Texas Regional Airport, Temple, TX; amend the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Chambers County 
Airport, Anahuac, TX; Scholes International Airport at Galveston; 
Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport; Texas Gulf Coast Regional 
Airport, Angleton/Lake Jackson, TX; and Draughon-Miller Central Texas 
Regional Airport; and remove Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface at Wood No. 2 Airport, Brookshire, TX, and Covey 
Trails Airport, Fulshear, TX, to support instrument flight rule 
operations at these airports.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in 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 and be submitted in 
triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to 
acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with 
those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the 
following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. FAA-2019-0808/
Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-12.'' 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 notice may be changed in light of the 
comments received. 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 https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at  https://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 the 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 during normal 
business hours at the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic 
Organization, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend 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 Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by:
    Amending the Class D airspace to within a 4.8-mile radius 
(increased from a 4.1-mile radius) of Conroe-North Houston Regional 
Airport, Conroe, TX; removing the Navasota VORTAC and Humble VORTAC and 
associated exclusion area from the airspace legal description; amending 
the exclusion area to ``. . . excluding that airspace from lat. 
30[deg]25'24'' N, long. 95[deg]22'11'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'32'' N, 
long. 95[deg]22'51'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'12'' N, long. 95[deg]19'51'' 
W''; updating the name and geographic coordinates of Conroe-North 
Houston Regional Airport (previously Lone Star Executive Airport) to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and replacing the 
outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amending the Class D airspace at Scholes International Airport at 
Galveston (previously Scholes INTL at Galveston), Galveston, TX, by 
updating the name of the airport to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; correcting the header of the airspace legal 
description from ``Galveston, Galveston, TX'' to ``Galveston, TX''; and 
replacing the outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart 
Supplement'';
    Amending the Class D airspace to within a 4.2-mile radius 
(decreased from a 5.8-mile radius) of Sugar Land Regional Airport, 
Houston, TX; correcting the header of the airspace legal description 
from ``Houston Sugar Land, TX'' to ``Houston, TX'' to coincide with the 
FAA's aeronautical database; removing the city associated with the 
airport from the airspace legal description to comply with FAA Order 
7400.2M, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters; and removing 
``(previously called Airport/Facility Directory)'' as it is no longer 
needed;
    Amending the Class E surface airspace to within a 4.8-mile radius 
(increased from a 4.1-mile radius) of Conroe-North Houston Regional 
Airport, Conroe, TX; removing the Navasota VORTAC and Humble VORTAC and 
associated exclusion area from the airspace legal description; amending 
the exclusion area to ``. . . excluding that airspace from lat. 
30[deg]25'24'' N, long. 95[deg]22'11'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'32'' N, 
long. 95[deg]22'51'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'12'' N, long. 95[deg]19'51'' 
W''; updating the name and geographic coordinates of Conroe-North 
Houston Regional Airport (previously Lone Star Executive Airport) to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and replacing the 
outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amending the Class E surface airspace at Scholes International 
Airport at Galveston (previously Scholes INTL at Galveston), Galveston, 
TX, by updating the name of the airport to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; and replacing the outdated term ``Airport/
Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amending the Class E surface airspace to within a 4.2-mile radius 
(decreased from a 5.8-mile radius) of Sugar Land Regional Airport, 
Houston, TX; correcting the header of the airspace legal description 
from ``Houston Sugar Land, TX'' to ``Houston, TX'' to coincide with the 
FAA's aeronautical database; removing the city associated with the 
airport from the airspace legal description to comply with FAA Order 
7400.2M,; and removing ``(previously

[[Page 67888]]

called Airport/Facility Directory)'' as it is no longer needed;
    Amending the Class E surface airspace at Draughon-Miller Central 
Texas Regional Airport, Temple, TX, by removing the city associated 
with the airport in the airspace legal description to comply with FAA 
Order 7400.2M;
    Removing the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a 
Class E surface area at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, 
Temple, TX, as it is no longer needed;
    Amending the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface to within a 6.1-mile radius (decreased from a 6.3-
mile radius) at Chambers County Airport, Anahuac, TX; removing the 
Anahuac RBN and associated extension from the airspace legal 
description; and updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database;
    Amending the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface by removing the Chambers County Airport, Anahuac, TX, 
and associated exclusion area from the Houston, TX, airspace legal 
description as it is no longer needed; to within a 6.6-mile radius 
(decreased from a 7.6-mile radius) of Scholes International Airport at 
Galveston, Galveston, TX, which is contained within the Houston, TX, 
airspace legal description; removing the city associated with the 
Scholes International Airport from the airspace legal description to 
comply with FAA Order 7400.2M; removing Woods No. 2 Airport, 
Brookshire, TX, and Covey Trails Airport, Fulshear, TX, which are 
contained within the Houston, TX, airspace legal description from the 
Houston, TX airspace legal description, and revoking the associated 
Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
at these airports as the instrument procedures at these airports have 
been cancelled and the airspace is no longer required; to within a 7.3-
mile radius (increased from a 6.6-mile radius) of Conroe-North Houston 
Regional Airport, Conroe, TX, which is contained within the Houston, 
TX, airspace legal description; and amending the airspace boundary from 
``. . . thence from lat. 29[deg]17'04'' N, long. 95[deg]00'13'' W. . . 
.'' to ``. . . thence from lat. 29[deg]16'48'' N, long. 94[deg]59'06'' 
W. . .''; updating the names of Scholes International Airport at 
Galveston (previously Scholes International at Galveston) and Conroe-
North Houston Regional Airport (previously Lone Star Executive Airport) 
to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and updating the 
geographic coordinates of Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database;
    Amending the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface to within a 6.6-mile radius (decreased from a 6.7-
mile radius) of Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, Angleton/Lake 
Jackson, TX; updating the header of the airspace legal description from 
``Lake Jackson, TX'' to ``Angleton/Lake Jackson, TX'' to coincide with 
the FAA's aeronautical database; removing the city associated with the 
airport from the airspace legal description to comply with FAA Order 
7400.2M; and updating the name and geographic coordinates of the Texas 
Gulf Coast Regional Airport (previously Brazoria County Airport) to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database;
    And amending the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional 
Airport, Temple, TX, by removing the city associated with the airport 
to comply with FAA Order 7400.2M; updating the name of the Draughon-
Miller Central Texas Regional: RWY 15-LOC (previously Draughon-Miller 
Central Texas Regional Localizer) to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; removing the Temple VOR and associated extension 
from the airspace legal description; removing the extension southwest 
of the airport as it is no longer needed; and amending the extension 
northwest of the airport to within 4 miles either side of the 343[deg] 
(previously 336[deg]) bearing of the Draughon-Miller Central Texas 
Regional: RWY 15-LOC extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 14.2 miles 
(previously 14.4 miles) northwest of the airport.
    These actions are the result of airspace reviews caused by the 
decommissioning of the Hobby and Temple VORs, which provided navigation 
information for the instrument procedures at these airports, as part of 
the VOR MON Program.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 
5000, 6002, 6004 and 6005, respectively, 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 D and E airspace designations 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule, when promulgated, would 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, 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 14 CFR 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:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASW TX D Conroe, TX [Amended]

Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 30[deg]21'12'' N, long. 95[deg]24'54'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 4.8-mile radius of Conroe-North Houston 
Regional Airport, excluding that airspace from lat. 30[deg]25'24'' 
N, long.

[[Page 67889]]

95[deg]22'11'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'32'' N, long. 95[deg]22'51'' W to 
lat. 30[deg]23'12'' N, long. 95[deg]19'51'' W. 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.
* * * * *

ASW TX D Galveston, TX [Amended]

Scholes International Airport at Galveston, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]15'55'' N, long. 94[deg]51'38'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface up to but not 
including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.1-mile radius of Scholes 
International Airport at Galveston. 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.
* * * * *

ASW TX D Houston, TX [Amended]

Sugar Land Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]37'20'' N, long. 95[deg]39'24'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Sugar Land Regional 
Airport. 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 Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Conroe, TX [Amended]

Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 30[deg]21'12'' N, long. 95[deg]24'54'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 4.8-mile radius of Conroe-North Houston 
Regional Airport, excluding that airspace from lat. 30[deg]25'24'' 
N, long. 95[deg]22'11'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'32'' N, long. 
95[deg]22'51'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'12'' N, long. 95[deg]19'51'' W. 
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.
* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Galveston, TX [Amended]

Scholes International Airport at Galveston, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]15'55'' N, long. 94[deg]51'38'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface up to but not 
including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.1-mile radius of Scholes 
International Airport at Galveston. 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.
* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Houston, TX [Amended]

Sugar Land Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]37'20'' N, long. 95[deg]39'24'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Sugar Land Regional 
Airport. 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.
* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Temple, TX [Amended]

Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 31[deg]09'07'' N, long. 97[deg]24'28''W)

    Within a 4.2-mile radius of Draughon-Miller Central Texas 
Regional Airport. 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.

* * * * *

ASW TX E4 Temple, TX [Removed]

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

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Anahuac, TX [Amended]

Chambers County Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]46'11'' N, long. 94[deg]39'49'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.1-mile radius of Chambers County Airport.
* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Houston, TX [Amended]

Point of Origin
    (Lat. 30[deg]35'01'' N, long. 95[deg]28'01'' W)
Scholes International Airport at Galveston, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]15'55'' N, long. 94[deg]51'38'' W)
    Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 30[deg]21'12'' N, long. 95[deg]24'54'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an area bounded by a line beginning at the Point of Origin to 
lat. 29[deg]45'00'' N, long. 94[deg]44'01'' W; thence from lat. 
29[deg]45'00'' N, long. 94[deg]44'01'' W to a point of tangency with 
the east arc of a 6.6-mile radius of Scholes International Airport 
at Galveston, and within a 6.6-mile radius of Scholes International 
Airport at Galveston; thence from lat. 29[deg]16'48'' N, long. 
94[deg]59'06'' W; to lat. 29[deg]30'01'' N, long. 95[deg]54'01'' W; 
to lat. 30[deg]26'01'' N, long. 95[deg]42'01'' W; to the Point of 
Origin, and within a 7.3-mile radius of Conroe-North Houston 
Regional Airport.
* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Angleton/Lake Jackson, TX [Amended]

Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]06'31'' N, long. 95[deg]27'44'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.6-mile radius of Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport.
* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Temple, TX [Amended]

Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 31[deg]09'07'' N, long. 97[deg]24'28'' W)
Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional: RWY 15-LOC
    (Lat. 31[deg]08'20'' N, long. 97[deg]24'16'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.7-mile radius of Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional 
Airport, and within 4 miles either side of the 343[deg] bearing of 
the Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional: RWY 15-LOC extending 
from the 6.7-mile radius to 14.2 miles northwest of the airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 4, 2019.
Steve Szukala,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2019-26608 Filed 12-11-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P