[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 138 (Thursday, July 22, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38617-38619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15452]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0532; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-19]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Chester, SC, Lancaster, 
SC, Waxhaw, NC, and Lincolnton, NC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface for Chester Catawba Regional 
Airport, Chester, SC; Lancaster County-McWhirter Field Airport, 
Lancaster, SC; JAARS-Townsend Airport, Waxhaw, NC; and Lincolnton-
Lincoln County Regional Airport, Lincolnton, NC. The FAA is proposing 
this action as a result of the Charlotte Class B Biennial Review. This 
action would also update the airport's names of Chester Catawba 
Regional Airport, (previously Chester Municipal Airport); JAARS-
Townsend Airport, (previously Waxhaw, JAARS-Townsend Airport); and 
Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport, (previously Lincolnton, 
Lincoln County Airport). In addition, this action would also update the 
geographic coordinates of Lancaster County-McWhirter Field Airport and 
Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport to coincide with the FAA's 
database. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and 
management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 7, 2021.

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 20590-0001; 
Telephone: (800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify the 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0532; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-19, at the 
beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    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: John Goodson, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone (404) 305-5966.

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 Class E airspace in Chester, SC; Lancaster, SC; 
Waxhaw, NC; and Lincolnton, NC, to support IFR operations in the area.

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on 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 (Docket No. FAA-
2021-0532 and Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-19) and be submitted in 
triplicate to DOT Docket Operations (see ADDRESSES section for the 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    Persons wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on 
this action must submit with those

[[Page 38618]]

comments a self-addressed stamped postcard on which the following 
statement is made: ``Comments to FAA Docket No. FAA-2021-0532; Airspace 
Docket No. 21-ASO-19.'' 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 document may be changed in light of the 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. 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 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 between 8:00 a.m. and 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays, at the 
office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Room 350, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend 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 Proposal

    The FAA proposes an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at:
    The Chester Catawba Regional Airport, Chester, SC radius would 
increase to 9.0 miles, (previously 7.0 miles). In addition, this action 
would update the airport's name to Chester Catawba Regional Airport, 
(previously Chester Municipal Airport).
    The radius of the Lancaster County-McWhirter Field Airport, 
Lancaster, SC, would increase to 8.3 miles, (previously 7.0 miles) and 
within 4.0 miles each side of the 059[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 8.3-mile radius to 10.9 miles northeast of the 
airport. This action would also update the geographical coordinates of 
the Lancaster County-McWhirter Field Airport to coincide with the FAA's 
database.
    The radius of the JAARS-Townsend Airport, Waxhaw, NC, would 
increase to 9.3 miles, (previously 7 miles). In addition, this action 
would update the name to JAARS-Townsend Airport, (previously Waxhaw, 
JAARS-Townsend Airport).
    The radius of the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport, 
Lincolnton, NC would increase to 8.5 miles, (previously 6.4 miles). In 
addition, this action would update the airport name to Lincolnton-
Lincoln County Regional Airport, (previously Lincolnton, Lincoln County 
Airport). This action would also update the geographical coordinates of 
the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport to coincide with the 
FAA's database.
    Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraph 6005, 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 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 proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
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 proposed 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.

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.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, 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 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 Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, is 
amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

ASO SC E5 Chester, SC [Amended]

Chester Catawba Regional Airport, SC
    (Lat. 34[deg]47'22'' N, long. 81[deg]11'45'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the 
surface of the earth within a 9.0-mile radius of Chester Catawba 
Regional Airport.
* * * * *

ASO SC E5 Lancaster, SC [Amended]

Lancaster County-McWhirter Field Airport, SC
    (Lat. 34[deg]43'22'' N, long. 80[deg]51'17'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 8.3-mile radius of Lancaster County-McWhirter Field 
Airport, within 4 miles each side of the 059[deg] bearing from the 
airport extending from the 8.3-mile radius to 10.9 miles northeast 
of the airport.
* * * * *

[[Page 38619]]

ASO NC E5 Waxhaw, NC [Amended]

JAARS-Townsend Airport, NC
    (Lat. 34[deg]51'50'' N, long. 80[deg]44'53'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 9.3-mile radius of JAARS-Townsend Airport.
* * * * *

ASO NC E5 Lincolnton, NC [Amended]

Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional, NC
    (Lat. 35[deg]28'59'' N, long. 81[deg]09'41'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 8.5-mile radius of Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional 
Airport.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on July 15, 2021.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2021-15452 Filed 7-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P