[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 88 (Friday, May 6, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26975-26977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09241]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0057; Airspace Docket No. 21-AWA-3]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class B Airspace Description; Atlanta, GA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule, technical amendment.
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SUMMARY: This action amends the description of the Hartsfield-Jackson
Atlanta International Airport, GA, Class B airspace area by changing
the reference for defining the center point of the airspace from the
``Atlanta VORTAC'' to a ``Point of Origin.'' This action is required
because the Atlanta VORTAC is scheduled for decommissioning. The Point
of Origin is based on the same geographical coordinates as the Atlanta
VORTAC; therefore, the change is editorial only and does not alter the
currently charted boundaries, or altitudes, or the air traffic control
(ATC) procedures for the Atlanta Class B airspace area.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, July 14, 2022. 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 JO 7400.11
and publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: 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 Rules and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591;
telephone: (202) 267-8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
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
the 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 makes editorial changes to an existing Class B airspace
description to maintain accuracy.
History
The Atlanta, GA, Class B airspace area was established as a
``Terminal Control Area (TCA)'' on June 15, 1970 (35 FR 7784, May 21,
1970). In 1993, as part of the Airspace Reclassification Final Rule (56
FR 65638, December 17, 1991), the term ``terminal control area'' was
replaced by ``Class B airspace area.'' The Atlanta Class B airspace
area was last modified on March 3, 2013 (78 FR 1742, January 9, 2013).
Currently, the Atlanta VORTAC serves as the reference point for
defining the center of the Class B airspace area. The Atlanta VORTAC is
also used in defining the boundaries of seven of the ten subareas that
make up the Class B airspace area. The Atlanta VORTAC is scheduled to
be decommissioned, so the FAA is establishing a ``Point of Origin'' to
replace references to the Atlanta VORTAC in the Atlanta Class B
description. The Point of Origin has the same latitude and longitude
coordinates as the Atlanta VORTAC therefore, there is no change to the
existing charted boundaries of the Atlanta Class B airspace area. All
references to the Atlanta VORTAC in the Atlanta Class B airspace
description (as published in FAA Order JO 7400.11F) are replaced by
``Point of Origin.'' This practice is consistent with other Class B
airspace
[[Page 26976]]
locations that do not have a suitable navigation aid located on the
airport.
Class B airspace areas are published in paragraph 3000 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 B airspace
area listed in this document will be published subsequently in FAA
Order JO 7400.11.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document amends 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 Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by editing the description of the
Atlanta, GA, Class B airspace area (as published in FAA Order JO
7400.11F) to replace references to the ``Atlanta VORTAC'' with a
``Point of Origin.'' This action is necessary because the Atlanta
VORTAC is scheduled to be decommissioned. The ``Point of Origin'' uses
the same latitude/longitude position as the current Atlanta VORTAC
location. The descriptions of the following seven Atlanta Class B
airspace subareas are affected by the change: A, B, F, G, H, I, and J.
The FAA is taking this action so that the currently charted boundaries
of the Atlanta Class B airspace area are not affected by the
decommissioning of the Atlanta VORTAC and for accuracy.
Because this action is an editorial change that does not alter the
currently charted boundaries and altitudes, or the ATC procedures for
the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, notice and public
procedure under 5 U.S.C. Sec. 553(b) are unnecessary and contrary to
the public interest.
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.
Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule''
under Department of Transportation (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, does 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 of amending the description
of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, GA, Class B
airspace area by changing the reference for defining the center point
of the airspace from the ``Atlanta VORTAC'' to a ``Point of Origin'',
qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental
Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at
40 CFR part 1500, and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F,
Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5-6.5a, which
categorically excludes from further environmental impact review
rulemaking actions that designate or modify classes of airspace areas,
airways, routes, and reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation
of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes;
and Reporting Points). As such, this action is an editorial change that
is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental
impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding
Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for
factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded
action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further
analysis. The FAA has determined no extraordinary circumstances exist
that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment or
environmental impact study.
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 JO
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 10,
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 3000 Subpart B Class B Airspace.
* * * * *
ASO GA B Atlanta, GA
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Primary Airport)
(Lat. 33[deg]38'12'' N, long. 84[deg]25'40'' W)
Point of Origin
(Lat. 33[deg]37'45'' N, long. 84[deg]26'06'' W)
Boundaries
Area A. That airspace extending upward from the surface to and
including 12,500 feet MSL, bounded on the east and west by a 7-mile
radius of the Point of Origin, on the south by a line 4 miles south
of and parallel to the Runway 10/28 localizer courses, and on the
north by a line 4 miles north of and parallel to the Runway 08L/26R
localizer courses; excluding the Atlanta Fulton County Airport-Brown
Field, GA, Class D airspace area.
Area B. That airspace extending upward from 2,500 feet MSL to
and including 12,500 feet MSL, bounded on the east and west by a 12-
mile radius of the Point of Origin, on the south by a line 4 miles
south of and parallel to the Runway 10/28 localizer courses, and on
the north by a line 4 miles north of and parallel to the Runway 08L/
26R localizer courses; excluding the Atlanta Fulton County Airport-
Brown Field, GA, Class D airspace area and that airspace contained
in Area A.
Area C. That airspace extending upward from 3,000 feet MSL to
and including 12,500 feet MSL, bounded on the east by long.
84[deg]00'32'' W, on the west by long. 84[deg]51'38'' W, on the
south by a line 8 miles south of and parallel to the Runway 10/28
localizer courses, and on the north by a line 4 miles north of and
parallel to the Runway 08L/26R localizer courses; excluding that
airspace contained in Areas A and B.
Area D. That airspace extending upward from 3,500 feet MSL to
and including 12,500 feet MSL, bounded on the east by long.
84[deg]00'32'' W, on the west by long. 84[deg]51'38'' W, on the
south by a line 4 miles north of and parallel to the Runway 08L/26R
localizer courses, and on the north by a line 8 miles north of and
parallel to the Runway 08L/26R localizer courses.
Area E. That airspace extending upward from 4,000 feet MSL to
and including 12,500 feet MSL, bounded on the east by long.
[[Page 26977]]
83[deg]54'04'' W, on the west by long. 84[deg]57'41'' W, on the
south by a line 12 miles south of and parallel to the Runway 10/28
localizer courses and on the north by a line 8 miles north of and
parallel to the Runway 08L/26R localizer courses; excluding that
airspace contained in Areas A, B, C, and D.
Area F. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to
and including 12,500 feet MSL, within a 30-mile radius of the Point
of Origin and bounded on the east by long. 83[deg]54'04'' W, on the
south by a line 8 miles north of and parallel to the Runway 08L/26R
localizer courses, on the west by long. 84[deg]57'41'' W, and on the
north by a line 12 miles north of and parallel to the Runway 08L/26R
localizer courses.
Area G. That airspace extending upward from 6,000 feet MSL to
and including 12,500 feet MSL bounded on the north by a line 12
miles south of and parallel to the Runway 10/28 localizer courses,
on the east by a line from lat. 33[deg]25'21'' N, long.
84[deg]16'49'' W direct to lat. 33[deg]15'33'' N, long.
84[deg]01'55'' W, on the south by a 30-mile radius of the Point of
Origin, and on the west by a line from lat. 33[deg]25'25'' N, long.
84[deg]33'32'' W direct to lat. 33[deg]18'26'' N, long.
84[deg]42'56'' W and thence south via long. 84[deg]42'56'' W.
Area H. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to
and including 12,500 feet MSL, within a 30-mile radius of the Point
of Origin south of a line 12 miles south of and parallel to the
Runway 10/28 localizer courses, bounded on the west by long.
84[deg]57'41'' W and on the east by long. 83[deg]54'04'' W.
excluding that airspace within the lateral limits of area G.
Area I. That airspace extending upward from 7,000 feet MSL to
and including 12,500 feet MSL bounded on the north by the 30-mile
radius of the Point of Origin, on the east by a line from lat.
33[deg]50'59'' N, long. 84[deg]16'38'' W direct to lat.
34[deg]04'20'' N, long. 84[deg]09'24'' W, on the south by a line 12
miles north of and parallel to the Runway 08L/26R localizer courses,
and on the west by a line from lat. 33[deg]50'59'' N, long.
84[deg]34'14'' W direct to lat. 34[deg]01'40'' N, long.
84[deg]47'55'' W.
Area J. That airspace extending upward from 6,000 feet MSL to
and including 12,500 feet MSL bounded on the north by a 30-mile
radius of the Point of Origin, on the east by long. 83[deg]54'04''
W, on the south by a line 12 miles north of and parallel to the
Runway 08L/26R localizer courses, and on the west by long.
84[deg]57'41'' W, excluding that airspace within the lateral limits
of area I.
* * * * *
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-09241 Filed 5-5-22; 8:45 am]
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