[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 13, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56843-56845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22195]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0804; Airspace Docket No. 20-AWP-56]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace; China Lake 
NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class D airspace at China 
Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport, China Lake, CA. This action also 
proposes to modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface. Additionally, this action proposes to remove the 
China Lake (Navy) TACAN from the Class E5 text header and airspace 
description. Lastly, this action proposes numerous administrative 
updates to the Class D and Class E5 text headers and the Class D 
airspace description. This action would ensure the safety and 
management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 29, 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; telephone: 
1-800-647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0804; Airspace Docket No. 20-AWP-56, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 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 JO 7400.11F 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:

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 modify the Class D and Class E airspace at China Lake NAWS 
(Armitage Field) Airport, China Lake, CA, to support IFR operations at 
the airport.

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. Persons 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-2021-0804; 
Airspace Docket No. 20-AWP-56''. 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.

[[Page 56844]]

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 Northwest Mountain Regional Office of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Western Service 
Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 
98198.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective 
September 15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as 
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F 
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 modifying 
the Class D airspace at China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport, China 
Lake, CA. To properly contain departing IFR aircraft flying toward or 
over rising terrain, the Class D should be extended to the southwest of 
the airport.
    This action also proposes to modify the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface. This airspace is designed to 
contain departing IFR aircraft until reaching 1,200 feet above the 
surface and arriving IFR aircraft descending below 1,500 feet above the 
surface. New IFR approach procedures to Runway 03 were recently 
established at China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport, therefore, 
additional Class E airspace is necessary to ensure proper containment 
of the procedures.
    Additionally, this action proposes to remove the China Lake (NAVY) 
TACAN from the Class E5 text header and airspace description. The 
navigational aid (NAVAID) is not needed to describe the airspace area, 
and removal of the NAVAID simplifies the airspace description.
    Lastly, this action proposes numerous administrative updates to 
Class D and Class E5 text headers and the Class D airspace description. 
The city name in the first line of the text headers should be amended 
from ``China Lake NWC'' to ``China Lake'', to match the FAA database. 
The airport name in the second line of the text headers should be 
amended from ``China Lake NWC'' to ``China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) 
Airport'', to match the FAA database. The geographic coordinates in the 
third line of the text headers should be updated to ``lat. 
35[deg]41'09'' N, long. 117[deg]41'32'' W'', to match the FAA database. 
The term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' in the last line of the Class D 
airspace description should be updated to ``Chart Supplement.''
    Class D and Class E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 
dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 2021, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E 
airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.
    FAA Order JO 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, ``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 JO 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AWP CA D China Lake, CA [Amended]

China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport, CA
    (Lat. 35[deg]41'09'' N, long. 117[deg]41'32'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
4,800 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of the airport, and within 
1.9 miles each side of the 226[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 5.3 miles southwest of the 
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.

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

* * * * *

AWP CA E5 China Lake, CA [Amended]

China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport, CA
    (Lat. 35[deg]41'09'' N, long. 117[deg]41'32'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 4.5-mile radius of the airport, and within a 7-mile radius 
of the airport from the 115[deg] bearing from the airport clockwise 
to the 271[deg] bearing from the airport, and within 2.9 miles each 
side of the 184[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 7-
mile radius to 9 miles south of the airport.


[[Page 56845]]


    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on October 6, 2021.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2021-22195 Filed 10-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P