[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68827-68828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27151]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0315; Airspace Docket No. 18-ANM-3]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Astoria, OR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace area, 
designated as a surface area, at Astoria Regional Airport, Astoria, OR 
by reducing the size of the Class E surface airspace. Also, this action 
proposes to amend the Class E airspace by adding two Class E airspace 
areas, designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, 
at the airport. Additionally, this action proposes to amend the Class E 
airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface 
of the earth, by reducing the dimensions of the area and sizing it to 
properly contain IFR arrivals and departures. Further, this action 
proposes to make several administrative corrections to the airport's 
legal descriptions. This action would ensure the safety and management 
of IFR operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 31, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 
1-800-647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0315; Airspace Docket No. 18-ANM-3, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.com.
    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: Matthew Van Der Wal, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3695.

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 the Class E airspace at Astoria Regional Airport, 
Astoria, Oregon to support instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at 
the airport.

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. Persons 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-2019-0315; 
Airspace Docket No. 18-ANM-3''. 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 Northwest Mountain Regional Office of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Western Service 
Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 
98198.

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 E airspace area, 
designated as a surface area, at Astoria Regional Airport, Astoria, OR 
to properly contain IFR aircraft as follows; That airspace extending 
upward from the surface within a 4-mile radius of the airport beginning 
at the 350[deg] bearing from the airport clockwise to the 239[deg] 
bearing from the airport, thence along the 239[deg] bearing to a 5-
miles radius clockwise to the 350[deg] bearing from the airport, thence

[[Page 68828]]

along the 350[deg] bearing to the 4-miles radius of the Astoria 
Regional Airport, excluding that airspace within a 1-mile radius of the 
Camp Rilea Army Heliport.
    Also, this action proposes to amend the Class E airspace by adding 
two Class E airspace areas, designated as an extension to a Class D or 
Class E surface area. These areas would properly contain IFR arrivals 
descending below 1,000 feet above the surface of the earth as follows; 
That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.1 miles each 
side of the 095[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4-mile 
radius to 9.3 miles east of the airport, and within 2.4 miles each side 
of the 267[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 5-mile 
radius to 7.1 miles west of the Astoria Regional Airport.
    Additionally, this action proposes to amend the Class E airspace 
areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the 
earth at the airport. The proposal would reduce the overall dimensions 
of the area and properly size it to contain IFR departures and arrivals 
as follows; That airspace extending from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 8-mile radius of the airport, and within 4 miles each side of 
the 095[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 8-mile radius 
to 18.8 miles east of the airport, and 4.3 miles north and 7.8 miles 
south of the 265[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 8-
mile radius to 16.1 miles west of the Astoria Regional Airport.
    Further, this action proposes to make administrative corrections to 
the airport's Class E2 Class E5 legal descriptions. The Class E2 
airspace should be full time; the following two sentences do not 
accurately represent the time of use for the Class E2 airspace and need 
to be removed: ``This Class E airspace area is effective during 
specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. 
The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published 
in the Airport/Facility Directory.'' The action also proposes to remove 
the Seaside Municipal Airport from the Class E5 legal description 
because the Class E5 700 foot airspace no longer overlies the Seaside 
Municipal Airport.
    Class E2, Class E4 and Class E5 airspace designations are published 
in paragraphs 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 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 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ANM OR E2 Astoria, OR [Amended]

Astoria Regional Airport, Astoria, OR
    (Lat. 46[deg]09'29'' N, long. 123[deg]52'43'' W)
Camp Rilea Army Heliport
    (Lat. 46[deg]06'59'' N, long. 123[deg]55'54'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4-mile 
radius of the airport beginning at the 350[deg] bearing from the 
airport clockwise to the 239[deg] bearing from the airport, thence 
along the 239[deg] bearing to a 5-miles radius clockwise to the 
350[deg] bearing from the airport, thence along the 350[deg] bearing 
to the 4-miles radius of the Astoria Regional Airport, excluding 
that airspace within a 1-mile radius of the Camp Rilea Army 
Heliport.

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

* * * * *

ANM OR E4 Astoria, OR [New]

Astoria Regional Airport, Astoria, OR
    (Lat. 46[deg]09'29'' N, long. 123[deg]52'43'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.1 miles 
each side of the 095[deg] bearing from the airport extending from 
the 4-mile radius to 9.3 miles east of the airport, and within 2.4 
miles each side of the 267[deg] bearing from the airport extending 
from the 5-mile radius to 7.1 miles west of the Astoria Regional 
Airport.

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

* * * * *

ANM OR E5 Astoria, OR [Amended]

Astoria Regional Airport, Astoria, OR
    (Lat. 46[deg]09'29'' N, long. 123[deg]52'43'' W)

    That airspace extending from 700 feet above the surface within 
an 8-mile radius of the airport, and within 4 miles each side of the 
095[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 8-mile radius 
to 18.8 miles east of the airport, and 4.3 miles north and 7.8 miles 
south of the 265[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 8-
mile radius to 16.1 miles west of the Astoria Regional Airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on December 11, 2019.
Tom Clark,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2019-27151 Filed 12-16-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P