[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 89 (Thursday, May 7, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27174-27176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09466]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0361; Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-9]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of the Class D and Class E Airspace and 
Revocation of Class E Airspace; Erie and Corry, PA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class D airspace, Class E 
surface area airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface at Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field, 
Erie, PA; revoke the Class E airspace area designated as an extension 
to Class D and Class E surface area at Erie International Airport/Tom 
Ridge Field; and amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface at Corry-Lawrence Airport, Corry, PA. The FAA is 
proposing this action as the result of airspace reviews due to the 
decommissioning of the Tidioute 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.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 22, 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-2020-0361/Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-9, at the beginning of your 
comments. You

[[Page 27175]]

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, 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 D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, 
and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
at Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field, Erie, PA; revoke the 
Class E airspace area designated as an extension to Class D and Class E 
surface area at Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field; and amend 
the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
at Corry-Lawrence Airport, Corry, PA, 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-2020-0361/
Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-9.'' 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 4.3-mile (increased from 
a 4.2-mile) radius of Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field, Erie, 
PA;
    Amending the Class E surface area airspace to within a 4.3-mile 
(increased from a 4.2-mile) radius of Erie International Airport/Tom 
Ridge Field;
    Removing the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to 
Class D and Class E surface areas at Erie International Airport/Tom 
Ridge Field as it is no longer required;
    Amending the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface to within a 6.4-mile (decreased from a 7.4-mile) radius of 
the Corry-Lawrence Airport, Corry, PA; and removing the extension 
southeast of the airport as it is no longer required;
    And amending the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface to within a 6.8-mile (increased from a 6.7-mile) 
radius of Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field; amending the 
extension to within 3.6 miles (decreased from 4.4 miles) each side of 
the 054[deg] bearing from the Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge 
Field: RWY 24-LOC (previously the airport) extending from the 6.8- mile 
(increased from 6.7-mile) radius of the airport to 11.6 miles 
(decreased from 14 miles) northeast of the airport.
    This action is the result of airspace reviews caused by the 
decommissioning of the Tidioute VOR, 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.

[[Page 27176]]

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.

* * * * *

AEA PA D Erie, PA [Amended]

Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field, PA
    (Lat. 42[deg]04'59'' N, long. 80[deg]10'26'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,200 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Erie International 
Airport/Tom Ridge Field. This Class D airspace area is effective 
during the specific days and times established in advance by a 
Notice to Airmen. The effective days and times will thereafter be 
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AEA PA E2 Erie, PA [Amended]

Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field, PA
    (Lat. 42[deg]04'59'' N, long. 80[deg]10'26'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.3-
mile radius of Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field. This 
Class E airspace area is effective during the specific days and 
times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective 
days and times 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.

* * * * *

AEA PA E4 Erie, PA [Removed]

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

* * * * *

AEA PA E5 Corry, PA [Amended]

Corry-Lawrence Airport, PA
    (Lat. 41[deg]54'27'' N, long. 79[deg]38'28'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.4-mile radius of Corry-Lawrence Airport.
* * * * *

AEA PA E5 Erie, PA [Amended]

Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field, PA
    (Lat. 42[deg]04'59'' N, long. 80[deg]10'26'' W)
Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field: RWY 24-LOC
    (Lat. 42[deg]04'32'' N, long. 80[deg]11'12'' W)
St. Vincent Health Center Heliport, PA
    (Lat. 42[deg]06'43'' N, long. 80[deg]04'51'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.8-mile radius of Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge 
Field, and within 3.6 miles each side of the 054[deg] bearing from 
the Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field: RWY 24-LOC extending 
from the 6.8-mile radius to 11.6 miles northeast of the airport, and 
within a 6-mile radius of St. Vincent Health Center Heliport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 27, 2020.
Steven Phillips,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2020-09466 Filed 5-6-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P