[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 7, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14048-14049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04586]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1453; Airspace Docket No. 21-AWP-57]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Mefford Field Airport, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface at Mefford Field Airport, Tulare, CA. The 
establishment of Class E airspace supports the safety of instrument 
flight rules (IFR) arrival, departure, and missed approach operations 
at the airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, June 15, 2023. 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 7400.11 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 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: Keith Adams, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-2428.

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 establishes Class E airspace at Mefford Field Airport, Tulare, 
CA, to support the safety and management of IFR operations at the 
airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register for FAA-2022-1453 (87 FR 76593; December 15, 2022) to 
establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface at Mefford Field Airport, Tulare, CA. This action supports IFR 
operations at the airport. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 
2022. FAA Order 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11G lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by establishing Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Mefford Field 
Airport, Tulare, CA. The Class E airspace will be established extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface within 1.8 miles each side of 
the 142[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 6.4 miles southeast 
from the airport, and within 1.8 miles each side of the 322[deg] 
bearing from the airport, extending 6.4 miles northwest of the airport. 
This airspace is designed to contain IFR departures to 1,200 feet above 
the surface and IFR arrivals descending below 1,500 feet above the 
surface. The establishment of Class E airspace supports the safety of 
IFR operations at the airport.
    Class E5 airspace designations are published in paragraphs 6005 of 
FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 
15, 2022,

[[Page 14049]]

which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace 
designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11 is published annually and becomes 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

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

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 7400.11G, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and 
effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

AWP CA E5 Tulare, CA [New]

Mefford Field Airport, CA
    (lat. 36[deg]9'24'' N, long. 119[deg]19'36'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within 1.8 miles each side of the 142[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending to 6.4 miles southeast of the airport, and within 1.8 
miles each side of the 322[deg] bearing from the airport extending 
to 6.4 miles northwest of the airport.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on February 27, 2023.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2023-04586 Filed 3-6-23; 8:45 am]
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