[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 23, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 83763-83764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28219]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-1001; Airspace Docket No. 18-AWP-24]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revocation of Class E3 Airspace; Fresno, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action removes the Class E airspace extending upward from 
the surface designated as an extension to a Class C surface area at 
Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, CA, as it is no longer 
needed. This action will support the operation of Instrument Flight 
Rules (IFR) under standard instrument approach and departure procedures 
in the National Airspace System.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, February 25, 2021. 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 7400.11E, 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 7400.11E 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 (U.S.C.). 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 will remove Class E airspace extending upward from the 
surface designated as an extension to a Class C surface area for the 
Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, CA, to support IFR 
operations in standard instrument approach and departure procedures at 
this airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (85 FR 64424; October 13, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2018-1001 
to remove the Class E airspace extending upward from the surface 
designated as an extension to a Class C surface area for the Fresno 
Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, CA. Interested parties were 
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written 
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.
    Class E3 airspace designations are published in paragraph 6003 of 
FAA Order 7400.11E, dated July 21, 2020 and effective September 15, 
2020, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E 
airspace designation listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 
2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by removing the Fresno Yosemite 
International Airport Class E3 airspace extending upward from the 
surface of the earth. The Clovis VORTAC was decommissioned and requires 
the legal descriptions in FAA Order 7400.11E be rewritten to eliminate 
reference to this navigational aid. In addition, during review of the 
Class E airspace extending upward from the surface as an extension to 
the Class C surface area, it was identified that the airspace is no 
longer needed to support approaches into the airport. This action will 
support the operation of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) under standard 
instrument approach and departure procedures in the National Airspace 
System.
    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 (E.O.) 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 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.

[[Page 83764]]

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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July, 21, 2020 and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6003. Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension.

    The Class E airspace areas listed below consist of airspace 
extending upward from the surface designated as an extension to a 
Class C surface area.
* * * * *

AWP CA E3 Fresno, CA [Remove]

Fresno Air Terminal, CA
    (Lat. 36[deg]46'34'' N, long. 119[deg]43'06'' W)

Clovis VORTAC
    (Lat. 36[deg]53'04'' N, long. 119[deg]48'55'' W)


    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on December 14, 2020.
Byron Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2020-28219 Filed 12-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P