[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 88 (Friday, May 6, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26980-26981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09520]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0048; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-01]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace; Gulf Shores, 
AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace and Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Gulf Shores 
International Airport/Jack Edwards Field, Gulf Shores, AL, (formerly 
Jack Edwards National Airport), by updating the airport's name, and 
adding necessary verbiage to the descriptions. Controlled airspace is 
necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules 
(IFR) operations in the area.

DATES: Effective 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 Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; Telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  John Fornito, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone (404) 305-6364.

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 amends airspace in the Gulf Shores, AL, area, to support IFR 
operations in the area.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (87 FR 10994, February 28, 2022) for Docket No. FAA-2022-0048 
to amend Class D airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface for Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack 
Edwards Field (formerly Jack Edwards National Airport), Gulf Shores, 
AL, by updating the airport's name, and amending the descriptions, by 
adding `when active' in reference to Restricted Area R-2908.
    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 and Class E 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 E airspace 
designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
FAA Order JO 7400.11F.

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 routes, and reporting 
points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by amending Class D airspace and 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for 
Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field (formerly Jack 
Edwards National Airport), Gulf Shores, AL, by updating the airport's 
name, and amending the descriptions, by adding `when active' in 
reference to Restricted Area R-2908.
    Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of 
instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.
    Class D and Class E 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 E airspace 
designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
FAA Order JO 7400.11. 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. 
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 minimal. Since this is a routine matter that only 
affects air traffic procedures an 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 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

[[Page 26981]]

significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances 
exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment.

Lists 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 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 7400.11F, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and 
effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO AL D Gulf Shores, AL [Amended]

Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field, AL
    (Lat. 30[deg]17'23' W''N, long. 87[deg]40'18'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,000 feet MSL, within a 4.3-mile radius of Gulf Shores 
International Airport/Jack Edwards Field, excluding that airspace 
within Restricted Area R-2908, when active. This Class D airspace 
area is effective during the specific dates and times established in 
advance by a Notice to Air Missions. 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.

* * * * *

ASO AL E5 Gulf Shores, AL [Amended]

Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field, AL
    (Lat. 30[deg]17'23' W''N, long. 87[deg]40'18'' W)
    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.8-mile radius of Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack 
Edwards Field, excluding that airspace within Restricted Area R-
2908, when active.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on April 28, 2022.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2022-09520 Filed 5-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P