[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5316-5318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01568]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0598; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-16]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of the Class D and Class E Airspace; Meridian, MS

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the Class D airspace at Joe Williams NOLF, 
Meridian, MS; Key Field, Meridian, MS; and NAS Meridian/McCain Field, 
Meridian, MS; the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to 
Class D airspace at Key Field; and the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Key Field, Joe Williams NOLF, 
and NAS Meridian/McCain Field. This action is due to an airspace review 
caused by the decommissioning of the Kewanee VHF omnidirectional range 
(VOR) navigation aid, which provided navigation information for the 
instrument procedures at these airports, as part of the VOR Minimum 
Operational Network (MON) Program. The names and geographic coordinates 
of NAS Meridian/McCain Field and Joe Williams NOLF, and the geographic 
coordinates of Key Field are also being updated to coincide with the 
FAA's aeronautical database. Airspace redesign is necessary for the 
safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at 
these airports.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, May 21, 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 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, 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 D airspace at Joe Williams NOLF, Meridian, MS; 
Key Field, Meridian, MS; and NAS Meridian/McCain Field, Meridian, MS; 
the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to Class D 
airspace at Key Field; and the Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface at Key Field, Joe Williams NOLF, and NAS 
Meridian/McCain Field to support IFR operations at these airports.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (84 FR 47909; September 11, 2019) for Docket No. FAA-2019-0598 
to amend the Class D airspace at Joe Williams NOLF, Meridian, MS; Key 
Field, Meridian, MS; and NAS Meridian/McCain Field, Meridian, MS; the 
Class E airspace area designated as an extension to Class D airspace at 
Key Field; and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at Key Field, Joe Williams NOLF, and NAS Meridian/
McCain Field. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the 
FAA. One comment was received supporting the proposal. No response is 
provided.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 
5000, 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.

Differences From the NPRM

    Subsequent to publication of the NPRM, the FAA discovered a 
typographic error in the airspace legal description for the Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Key Field, 
Meridian, MS. The extension from the Meridian VORTAC 141[deg] to the 
southeast should extend from the 7-mile radius of Key Field vice the 
4.5-mile radius. That typographic error is corrected in this action.
    Additionally, the FAA discovered that the proposed airspace legal 
description for the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at Meridian, MS, left gaps in the continuity of the 
airspace. To make the airspace continuous, the following changes are 
being made: The first extension reading, ``. . . and within 1 mile each 
side of the 009[deg] bearing from Key Field extending from the 7-mile 
radius of Key Field to 12.5 miles north of Key Field . . .'' is being 
changed to, ``. . . and within 1 mile west and 1.6 miles east of the 
009[deg] bearing from Key Field extending from the 7-mile radius of Key 
Field to 12.5 miles north of Key Field . . .'' in this action; and the 
third extension reading, ``. . . and within 2 miles each side of the 
044[deg] bearing from Key Field extending from the 7-mile radius of Key 
Field to 11.6 miles northeast of Key Field. . .'' is being changed to, 
``. . . and within 2.2 miles west and 2 miles east of the 044[deg] 
bearing from Key Field extending from the 7-mile radius of Key Field to 
11.6 miles northeast of Key Field . . .'' in this action. These changes 
only fill the gaps and complete the continuity of the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Meridian, MS, and 
do not expand the airspace; therefore, these amendments to the Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Meridian, 
MS, are included in this action.

[[Page 5317]]

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

    This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71: Amends the Class D airspace at Joe Williams NOLF, Meridian, 
MS, by updating the geographic coordinates of Joe Williams NOLF to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database, and replaces the 
outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement''; 
Amends the Class D airspace to within a 4.5-mile radius (reduced from a 
5.3-mile radius) of Key Field, Meridian, MS; updates the city in the 
airspace legal description to Meridian, MS, (previously Meridian Key 
Field, MS) to comply with changes to FAA Order 7400.2M, Procedures for 
Handling Airspace Matters; removes the city listed with the airport in 
the airspace legal description to comply with changes to FAA Order 
7400.2M; updates the geographic coordinates of Key Field to coincide 
with the FAA's aeronautical database; and replaces the outdated term 
``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amends the Class D airspace to within a 5.3-mile radius (reduced 
from a 5.8-mile radius) of NAS Meridian/McCain Field, Meridian, MS; 
updates the city in the airspace legal description to Meridian, MS, 
(previously Meridian NAS-McCain Field, MS) to comply with changes to 
FAA Order 7400.2M; removes the city listed with the airport in the 
airspace legal description to comply with changes to FAA Order 7400.2M; 
updates the name and geographic coordinates of NAS Meridian/McCain 
Field (previously NAS-McCain Field) to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; adds an extension 1 mile each side of the 
009[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 5.3-mile radius to 
5.5 miles north of the airport; adds an extension 1.5 miles each side 
of the 189[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 5.3-mile 
radius to 6 miles from the airport; adds an extension 1.6 miles each 
side of the Meridian TACAN 331[deg] radial extending from the 5.3-mile 
radius to 5.6 miles northwest of the Meridian TACAN; and replaces the 
outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amends the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a 
Class D airspace at Key Field by updating the city in the airspace 
legal description to Meridian, MS, (previously Meridian/Key Field, MS) 
to comply with changes to FAA Order 7400.2M; removes the city listed 
with the airport in the airspace legal description to comply with 
changes to FAA Order 7400.2M; updates the geographic coordinates of Key 
Field and the Meridian VORTAC to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical 
database; adds an extension 1 mile each side of the 009[deg] bearing 
from the airport extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 4.9-miles north 
of the airport; adds an extension 1 mile each side of the 044[deg] 
bearing from the airport extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 4.6 
miles northeast of the airport; adds an extension 2.9 miles each side 
of the Meridian VORTAC 141[deg] radial extending from the 4.5-mile 
radius to 11 miles southeast of the Meridian VORTAC; adds an extension 
1 mile each side of the 189[deg] bearing from the airport extending 
from the 4.5-mile radius to 4.6 miles south of the airport; adds an 
extension 1 mile each side of the 224[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 4.6 miles southwest of the 
airport; removes the extension northwest of the VORTAC; and replaces 
the outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart 
Supplement'';
    And amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface to within a 7-mile radius (reduced from an 8-mile 
radius) of Key Field; adds an extension within 1 mile west and 1.6 
miles east (previously 1 mile each side) of the 009[deg] bearing from 
Key Field extending from the 7-mile radius to 12.5 miles north of the 
airport; adds an extension within 3.4 miles each side of the 009[deg] 
bearing from the Key Field: RWY 19-LOC extending from the 7-mile radius 
of the airport to 11.1 miles north of the Key Field: RWY 19-LOC; adds 
an extension within 2.2 miles west and 2 miles east (previously 2 miles 
each side) of the 044[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 
7-mile radius of the airport to 11.6 miles northeast of the airport; 
adds an extension within 3.6 miles each side of the Meridian VORTAC 
141[deg] radial extending from the 7-mile radius of the airport to 13.9 
miles southeast of the Meridian VORTAC; adds an extension within 1 mile 
each side of the 189[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 
7-mile radius of the airport to 12.6 miles south of the airport; adds 
an extension within 3.4 miles each side of the 189[deg] bearing from 
the Key Field: RWY 01-LOC extending from the 7-mile radius of the 
airport to 11.2 miles south of the Key Field: RWY 01-LOC; amends the 
extension northwest of the Meridian VORTAC to within 1.5 miles (reduced 
from 2.5 miles) each side of the Meridian VORTAC 311[deg] (previously 
315[deg]) radial extending from the 7-mile radius of the airport to 
14.3 miles (increased from 7 miles) northwest of the Meridian VORTAC; 
within a 6.7 mile radius (decreased from a 7.4-mile radius) of Joe 
Williams NOLF, Meridian, MS; within a 7.8-mile radius (decreased from 
an 8-mile radius) of NAS Meridian/McCain Field; removes the extension 
``. . . within 4 miles each side of the 020[deg] bearing from lat. 
32[deg]33'28'' N, long, 88[deg]33'33'' W, extending from the 8-mile 
radius to 20 miles north of Meridian TACAN, and within a 25-mile radius 
of the Meridian VORTAC, extending clockwise from the 341[deg] radial to 
the 040[deg] radial, and within 8 miles north and 6 miles south of the 
Kewanee VORTAC 273[deg] radial, extending from the VORTAC to long. 
88[deg]45'00'' W''; adds an extension 6.7 miles either side of a line 
from Joe William NOLF to NAS Meridian/McCain Field; updates the names 
of Joe William NOLF (previously Joe Williams OLF), and NAS Meridian/
McCain Field (previously NAS-McCain Field) and the geographic 
coordinates of Key Field, Joe Williams NOLF and NAS Meridian/McCain 
Field to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and removes the 
Meridian TACAN and Kewanee VORTAC from the airspace legal description.
    This action is the result of an airspace review caused by the 
decommissioning of the Kewanee VOR, which provided navigation 
information for the instrument procedures at these airports, as part of 
the VOR MON Program.
    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

[[Page 5318]]

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 qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 5-6.5.a. 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:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO MS D Meridian, MS [Amended]

Joe Williams NOLF, MS
    (Lat. 32[deg]47'56'' N, long. 88[deg]50'04'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,000 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Joe Williams NOLF. This 
Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and 
times established by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time 
will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

ASO MS D Meridian, MS [Amended]

Key Field, MS
    (Lat. 32[deg]19'57'' N, long. 88[deg]45'07'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,800 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Key Field. 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.

ASO MS D Meridian, MS [Amended]

NAS Meridian/McCain Field, MS
    (Lat. 32[deg]33'13'' N, long. 88[deg]33'19'' W)
Meridian TACAN
    (Lat. 32[deg]34'42'' N, long. 88[deg]32'43'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,800 feet MSL within a 5.3-mile radius of NAS Meridian/McCain 
Field, and within 1 mile each side of the 009[deg] bearing from the 
airport extending from the 5.3 mile radius to 5.5 miles north of the 
airport, and within 1.5 miles each side of the 189[deg] bearing from 
the airport extending from the 5.3-mile radius to 6 miles south of 
the airport, and within 1.6 miles each side of the Meridian TACAN 
331[deg] radial extending from the 5.3-mile radius to 5.6 miles 
northwest the Meridian TACAN. 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 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

ASO MS E4 Meridian, MS [Amended]

Key Field, MS
    (Lat. 32[deg]19'57'' N, long. 88[deg]45'07'' W)
Meridian VORTAC
    (Lat. 32[deg]22'42'' N, long. 88[deg]48'15'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1 mile 
each side of the 009[deg] bearing from Key Field extending from the 
4.5-mile radius of Key Field to 4.9 miles north of Key Field, and 
within 1 mile each side of the 044[deg] bearing from Key Field 
extending from the 4.5-mile radius of Key Field to 4.6 miles 
northeast of Key Field, and within 2.9 miles each side of the 
Meridian VORTAC 141[deg] radial extending from the 4.5-mile radius 
of Key Field to 11 miles southeast of the Meridian VORTAC, and 
within 1 mile each side of the 189[deg] bearing from Key Field 
extending from the 4.5-mile radius of Key Field to 4.6 miles south 
of Key Field, and within 1 mile each side of the 224[deg] bearing 
from Key Field extending from the 4.5-mile radius of Key Field to 
4.6 miles southwest of Key Field. 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 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ASO MS E5 Meridian, MS [Amended]

Key Field, MS
    (Lat. 32[deg]19'57'' N, long. 88[deg]45'07'' W)
Key Field: RWY 19-LOC
    (Lat. 32[deg]18'54'' N, long. 88[deg]45'25'' W)
Meridian VORTAC
    (Lat. 32[deg]22'42'' N, long. 88[deg]48'15'' W)
Key Field: RWY 01-LOC
    (Lat. 32[deg]20'52'' N, long. 88[deg]45'02'' W)
Joe Williams NOLF, MS
    (Lat. 32[deg]47'56'' N, long. 88[deg]50'04'' W)
NAS Meridian/McCain Field, MS
    (Lat. 32[deg]33'13'' N, long. 88[deg]33'19'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Key Field, and within 1 mile west and 1.6 
miles of the 009[deg] bearing from Key Field extending from the 7-
mile radius of Key Field to 12.5 miles north of Key Field, and 
within 3.4 miles each side of the 009[deg] bearing from the Key 
Field: RWY 19-LOC extending from the 7-mile radius of Key Field to 
11.1 miles north of the Key Field: RWY 19-LOC, and within 2.2 miles 
west and 2 miles east of the 044[deg] bearing from Key Field 
extending from the 7-mile radius of Key Field to 11.6 miles 
northeast of Key Field, and within 3.6 miles each side of the 
Meridian VORTAC 141[deg] radial extending from the 7-mile radius of 
Key Field to 13.9 miles southeast of the Meridian VORTAC, and within 
1 mile each side of the 189[deg] bearing from Key Field extending 
from the 7-mile radius of Key Field to 12.6 miles south of Key 
Field, and within 3.4 miles each side of the 189[deg] bearing from 
the Key Field: RWY 01-LOC extending from the 7-mile radius of Key 
Field to 11.2 miles south of the Key Field: RWY 01-LOC, and within 
1.5 miles each side of the Meridian VORTAC 311[deg] radial extending 
from the 7-mile radius of Key Field to 14.3 miles northwest of the 
Meridian VORTAC, and within a 6.7-mile radius of Joe Williams NOLF, 
and within a 7.8-mile radius of NAS Meridian/McCain Field, and 
within 6.7 miles each side of a line from Joe Williams NOLF to NAS 
Meridian/McCain Field.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 22, 2020.
Steve Szukula,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2020-01568 Filed 1-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P