[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 164 (Friday, August 27, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48088-48090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18360]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0674; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-14]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment Class D and Class E Airspace; Ardmore, OK

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 and Class E airspace 
at Ardmore, OK. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of 
airspace reviews due to the decommissioning of the Arbuckle non-
directional beacon (NDB). The geographic coordinates of the airport 
would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 12, 2021.

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-2021-0674/Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-14, at the beginning of your 
comments. You 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 7400.11E, 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: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support

[[Page 48089]]

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 airspace area 
designated as an extension to Class D airspace, and Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ardmore Municipal 
Airport, Ardmore, OK, and the Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface at Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport, 
Ardmore, OK, 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-2021-0674/
Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-14.'' 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 7400.11E, 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 is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 by:
    Amending the Class D airspace to within a 4.3-mile (increased from 
a 4.2-mile) radius of Ardmore Municipal Airport, Ardmore, OK; updating 
the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; and replacing the outdated term ``Airport/
Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amending the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to 
Class D airspace at Ardmore Municipal Airport within 1.4 (increased 
from 1.3) miles each side of the Ardmore VORTAC 050[deg] (previously 
056[deg]) radial extending from the 4.3-mile (increased from 4.2-mile) 
radius of airport to 7.4 (decreased from 8.4) miles southwest of 
airport; updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide 
with the FAA's aeronautical database; and replacing the outdated term 
``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    And amending the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at Ardmore Municipal Airport by adding an extension 
within 1.5 miles each side of the Ardmore VORTAC 050[deg] radial 
extending from the 6.8-mile radius of the airport to 8.4 miles 
southwest of the airport; within 1.1 miles each side of the 315[deg] 
bearing from the airport extending from the 6.8-mile radius of the 
airport to 7 (increased from 6.9) miles northwest of the airport; 
updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the 
FAA's aeronautical database; and removing the extension northwest of 
the Ardmore VORTAC as it is no longer required.
    These actions are the result of airspace reviews caused by the 
decommissioning of the Arbuckle NDB which provided guidance to 
instrument procedures at these airports.
    Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in 
paragraph 5000, 6004, 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 
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 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,

[[Page 48090]]

``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.


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.

* * * * *

ASW OK D Ardmore, OK [Amended]

Ardmore Municipal Airport, OK
    (Lat. 34[deg]18'14'' N, long. 97[deg]01'14'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,300 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Ardmore Municipal 
Airport. 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.

6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to a Class D 
or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

ASW OK E4 Ardmore, OK [Amended]

Ardmore Municipal Airport, OK
    (Lat. 34[deg]18'14'' N, long. 97[deg]01'14'' W)
Ardmore VORTAC
    (Lat. 34[deg]12'42'' N, long. 97[deg]10'06'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.4 miles 
each side of the Ardmore VORTAC 050[deg] radial extending from the 
4.3-mile radius of Ardmore Municipal Airport to 7.4 miles southwest 
of the airport, and within 1 mile each side of the 315[deg] bearing 
from Ardmore Municipal Airport extending from the 4.3-mile radius of 
the airport to 5.3 miles northwest of the 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.

* * * * *

ASW OK E5 Ardmore, OK [Amended]

Ardmore Municipal Airport, OK
    (Lat. 34[deg]18'14'' N, long. 97[deg]01'14'' W)
Ardmore VORTAC
    (Lat. 34[deg]12'42'' N, long. 97[deg]10'06'' W)
Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport, OK
    (Lat. 34[deg]08'49'' N, long. 97[deg]07'22'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the 700 feet above the 
surface within a 6.8-mile radius of Ardmore Municipal Airport, and 
within 1.5 miles each side of the Ardmore VORTAC 050[deg] radial 
extending from the 6.8-mile radius of Ardmore Municipal Airport to 
8.4 miles southwest of the airport, and within 1.1 miles each side 
of the 315[deg] bearing from the Ardmore Municipal Airport extending 
from the 6.8-mile radius of the airport to 7 miles northwest of the 
airport, and within a 6.5-mile radius of Ardmore Downtown Executive 
Airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 23, 2021.
Martin A. Skinner,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2021-18360 Filed 8-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P