[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66636-66638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23877]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1161; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-18]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Greenville, 
Spartanburg, and Greer, SC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E 
surface airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface in the Greenville, Spartanburg, and Greer, SC areas 
due to the decommissioning of the Fairmont non-directional beacon (NDB) 
and cancellation of associated approaches into Spartanburg Downtown 
Memorial Airport/Simpson Field, as well as updating the airport's name 
and geographic coordinates. Additionally, Greenville Spartanburg 
International Airport, Greenville Downtown Airport, and Donaldson Field 
Airport each require the name and geographic coordinate updates, as 
well as airspace updates. 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 December 19, 2022.

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 Docket 
No. FAA-2022-1161; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-18 at the beginning of 
your comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G Airspace Designations and Reporting Points 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at 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 would amend airspace in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Greer, SC, 
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-
2021-1161 and Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-18) 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 www.regulations.gov.
    Persons wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on 
this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped 
postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to FAA 
Docket No. FAA-2021-1161; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-18.'' The postcard 
will be dated/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 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 
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 on federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined between 8:00 a.m. and 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for 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 JO 7400.11G, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective 
September 15, 2022. FAA Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as 
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11G 
lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service 
routes, and reporting points.

[[Page 66637]]

The Proposal

    The FAA proposes an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Class D 
airspace, Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface in the Greenville, Spartanburg, 
and Greer, SC area due to the decommissioning of the Fairmont NDB and 
cancellation of associated approaches into Spartanburg Downtown 
Memorial Airport/Simpson Field (formerly Spartanburg Downtown Memorial 
Airport. The Class D airspace for Greenville Spartanburg International 
Airport would be increased to 4.5 miles (previously 4.4 miles), and the 
geographic coordinates would be updated to coincide with the FAA's 
database. Also, the southwest extension of the Class E surface airspace 
for Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport/Simpson Field would be 
removed due to the cancellation of the NDB approaches. This action 
would also update the airport's name and geographic coordinates to 
coincide with the FAA's database and remove the city name from the 
airspace header per order FAA 7400.2. Also, this action would update 
the airport names of the following airports: Greenville Spartanburg 
International Airport (formerly Greenville-Spartanburg Airport) and 
Donaldson Field Airport (formerly Donaldson Center Airport), as well as 
updating the geographic coordinates of both airports. In addition, this 
action would replace the outdated terms Airport/Facility Directory with 
the term Chart Supplement and Notice to Airmen with the term Notice to 
Air Missions in the airspace descriptions.
    Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 5000, 
6002, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated August 
19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022, 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 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 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 JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO SC D Greenville, SC [Amended]

Greenville Downtown Airport, SC
    (Lat. 34[deg]50'53'' N, long. 82[deg]21'00'' W)
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
    (Lat. 34[deg]53'44'' N, long. 82[deg]13'08'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,500 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Greenville Downtown 
Airport, excluding that airspace within the Greenville-Spartanburg 
International Airport, Class C airspace area. This Class D airspace 
area is effective during the specific days and times established in 
advance by a Notice to Air Missions. The effective days and times 
will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

ASO SC D Greenville Donaldson Field Airport, SC [Amended]


    Greenville, Donaldson Field Airport, SC
    (Lat. 34[deg]45'30'' N, long. 82[deg]22'35'' W)
Greenville Downtown Airport
    (Lat. 34[deg]50'53'' N, long. 82[deg]21'00'' W)
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
    (Lat. 34[deg]53'44'' N, long. 82[deg]13'08'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,500 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Donaldson Field Airport, 
excluding that airspace within the Greenville Downtown Airport Class 
D airspace area and excluding that airspace within the Greenville-
Spartanburg International Airport Class C airspace area. 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 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO SC E2 Greer, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, SC 
[Amended]

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, SC
    (Lat. 34[deg]53'44'' N, long. 82[deg]13'08'' W)

    That airspace extending upwards from the surface within a 5-mile 
radius of the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. This 
Class E 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.

ASO SC E2 Spartanburg, SC [Amended]

Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport/Simpson Field, SC
    (Lat. 34[deg]54'59'' N, long. 81[deg]57'21'' W)
Spartanburg VORTAC
    (Lat. 35[deg]02'01'' N, long. 81[deg]55'37'' W)

    That airspace extending upwards from the surface within a 4.3-
mile radius of Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport/Simpson Field 
and within 1.8 miles each side of Spartanburg VORTAC 192[deg] 
radial, extending from the 4.3-mile radius to the VORTAC, excluding 
the portion within the Greer Greenville-Spartanburg Airport, SC, 
Class C airspace area. This Class E 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 SC E5 Greenville, SC [Amended]

Greenville Downtown Airport, SC
    (Lat.34[deg]50'53'' N, long. 82[deg]21'00'' W)
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
    (Lat. 34[deg]53'44'' N, long. 82[deg]13'08'' W)
Donaldson Field Airport
    (Lat. 34[deg]45'30'' N, long. 82[deg]22'35'' W)
DYANA NDB
    (Lat. 34[deg]41'28'' N, long. 82[deg]26'37'' W)


[[Page 66638]]


    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 9.3-mile radius of Greenville Downtown Airport, and within 
a 10-mile radius of Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, 
and within a 6.7-mile radius of Donaldson Field Airport and within 4 
miles northwest and 8 miles southeast of the 224[deg] bearing from 
the DYANA NDB extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 16 miles 
southwest of Donaldson Field Airport.

ASO SC E5 Spartanburg, SC

Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport/Simpson Field, SC
    (Lat. 34[deg]54'59'' N, long. 81[deg]57'21'' W)
Spartanburg VORTAC
    (Lat. 35[deg]02'01'' N, long. 81[deg]55'37'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport/
Simpson Field and within 3.1 miles on each side of Spartanburg 
VORTAC 012[deg] radial, extending from the 7-mile radius to 7 miles 
north of the VORTAC and within 2 miles each side of Spartanburg 
localizer southwest course, extending from the 7-mile radius to 15.1 
miles south of the VORTAC.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on October 28, 2022.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2022-23877 Filed 11-3-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P