[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 107 (Monday, June 7, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30165-30167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11767]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0044; Airspace Docket No. 19-AWP-25]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace; Bakersfield, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D airspace at Meadows Field 
Airport, Bakersfield, CA. This action also modifies the Class E 
airspace designated as a surface area and the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. Further, this action 
removes the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the 
surface. Additionally, this action updates the term ``Airport/Facility 
Directory'' to ``Chart Supplement'' in the last sentence of the Class D 
and Class E2 airspace descriptions. Finally, this action implements 
several administrative corrections to the Class D, Class E2, and Class 
E5 text headers.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, August 12, 2021. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR 
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: 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:

[[Page 30166]]

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 modifies the Class D and Class E airspace at Meadows Field 
Airport, Bakersfield, CA, to ensure the safety and management of 
instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (86 FR 13242; March 8, 2021) for Docket No. FAA-2021-0044 to 
modify the Class D and Class E airspace at Meadows Field Airport, 
Bakersfield, 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 D, E2, and E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000, 6002, and 6005, respectively, 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 D and 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

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 modifies the Class D airspace at 
Meadows Field Airport, Bakersfield, CA. The Class D is not sized 
properly to contain IFR arrivals descending below 1,000 feet above the 
surface, or IFR departures to 700 feet above the surface. To properly 
contain IFR arrivals, the circular radius should be reduced from 5 
miles to 4.5 miles. To properly contain IFR departures flying toward or 
over rising terrain, three areas should be added to the circular 
radius, one area southeast and two areas northwest of the airport.
    This action also modifies the lateral boundaries of the Class E 
airspace, designated as a surface area, to be coincident with the Class 
D airspace area.
    The action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface. The airspace is not sized properly to contain 
IFR arrivals descending below 1,500 feet above the surface, or IFR 
departures to 1,200 feet above the surface. This airspace area is 
reduced southeast of the airport and increased northwest of the 
airport.
    Further, this action removes the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 1,200 feet above the surface. This airspace area is wholly 
contained within the Los Angeles en route airspace area, and 
duplication is not necessary.
    Additionally, this action updates the last sentence in the Class D 
and Class E2 airspace descriptions by replacing the term ``Airport/
Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement.''
    Lastly, the action implements several administrative updates. The 
second line of the Class D, Class E2, and Class E5 text headers 
includes the city name ``Bakersfield''. The city name should be removed 
from this line of text. The airport's geographic coordinates listed in 
the third line of the Class D, Class E2, and Class E5 text header do 
not match the FAA's database. The coordinates should be updated to lat. 
35[deg]26'02'' N, long. 119[deg]03'28'' W.
    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

    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 the preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

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

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AWP CA D Bakersfield, CA [Amended]

Meadows Field Airport, CA
    (Lat. 35[deg]26'02'' N, long. 119[deg]03'28'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,000 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of the airport, and within 
1.8 miles each side of the 134[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 5.5 miles southeast of the 
airport, and within 1.8 miles each side of the 316[deg] bearing from 
the airport, extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 5.3 miles 
northwest of the airport, and within 1.9 miles each side of the 
331[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.5-mile 
radius to 6.8 miles northwest of Meadows Field Airport. This Class D 
airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times 
established in advance by a

[[Page 30167]]

Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be 
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

AWP CA E2 Bakersfield, CA [Amended]

Meadows Field Airport, CA
    (Lat. 35[deg]26'02'' N, long. 119[deg]03'28'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.5-
mile radius of the airport, and within 1.8 miles each side of the 
134[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.5-mile 
radius to 5.5 miles southeast of the airport, and within 1.8 miles 
each side of the 316[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from 
the 4.5-mile radius to 5.3 miles northwest of the airport, and 
within 1.9 miles each side of the 331[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 6.8 miles northwest of Meadows 
Field 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 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or more above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

AWP CA E5 Bakersfield, CA [Amended]

Meadows Field Airport, CA
    (Lat. 35[deg]26'02 '' N, long. 119[deg]03'28'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 8-mile radius of the airport, and within 3.8 miles east 
and 8.8 miles west of the 337[deg] bearing from the airport, 
beginning 3.5 miles northwest of the airport and extending to 19.6 
miles northwest of Meadows Field Airport.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May 28, 2021.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2021-11767 Filed 6-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P