[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 58 (Monday, March 27, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18101-18103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06111]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0533; Airspace Docket No. 22-ANM-64]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Class E Airspace; Pullman/Moscow Regional 
Airport, Pullman/Moscow, WA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace designated 
as a surface area, modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface, and remove the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Pullman/Moscow Regional 
Airport, Pullman/Moscow, WA. Additionally, this action proposes 
administrative amendments to update the airport's existing Class E 
airspace legal descriptions. These actions would support the safety and 
management of instrument flight rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 11, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. [FAA-2022-0533] 
and Airspace Docket No. [22-ANM-64] using any of the following methods:
    * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    * Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West 
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in 
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    * Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
    Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments 
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

[[Page 18102]]

    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for 
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of 
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and 
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathan A. Chaffman, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3460.

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 would modify Class E airspace to support IFR operations 
at Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport, Pullman/Moscow, WA.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most 
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain 
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or 
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments 
are filed in writing.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before 
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed 
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light 
of the comments it receives.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at 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 
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and 
hours of operations). 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class E2 and E5 airspace designations are published in paragraphs 
6002 and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference 
in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This document proposes to amend the 
current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 
2022 and effective September 15, 2022. These updates would be published 
in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. That order 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.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 that would 
modify the Class E airspace designated as a surface area, modify the 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and 
remove Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the 
surface at Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport, Pullman/Moscow, WA.
    The existing Class E surface area is comprised of a 4-mile radius 
around the airport. This area should be expanded to better contain 
departing IFR operations until they reach the base of adjacent 
controlled airspace on the Runway (RWY) 23 Obstacle Departure Procedure 
(ODP). A 4.5-mile radius around the airport would fully contain this 
procedure and appropriately contain IFR arrival operations between the 
surface and 1,000 feet above the surface. The existing extension 
northeast of the surface area centered on the airport's 046[deg] 
bearing should be centered on the 058[deg] bearing instead. It should 
also be widened on either side of the bearing--from 1.7 miles to 2.3 
miles--to better contain departing IFR operations until they reach the 
base of adjacent controlled airspace on the RWY 5 ODP. The existing 
southwest extension to the surface area is no longer needed and should 
be removed.
    The existing Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface should be expanded 1.1 miles to the east to better contain 
arriving IFR operations below 1,500 feet above the surface on the Area 
Navigation (RNAV) Required Navigation Performance (RNP) Z RWY 23 
approach. The existing Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface should be greatly reduced from the southeast 
clockwise through the northeast as the airspace is no longer needed. 
The existing Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above 
the surface should be removed, as the area is already within the 
Spokane en route domestic airspace area.
    Finally, the FAA proposes administrative modifications to the 
airport's legal descriptions. The city name on line 1 of the text 
headers in both legal descriptions should be updated from ``Pullman'' 
to ``Pullman/Moscow'' to match the FAA's database. The geographic 
coordinates located on line 3 of the text headers in both legal 
descriptions should be updated to match the FAA's database. The Class E 
surface area legal description should be updated to replace the 
outdated use of the phrases ``Notice to Airmen'' and ``Airport/Facility 
Directory.'' These phrases should read ``Notice to Air Missions'' and 
``Chart Supplement,'' respectively, to align with the FAA's current 
nomenclature.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical

[[Page 18103]]

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.

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

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

ANM WA E2 Pullman/Moscow, WA [Amended]

Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport, WA
    (Lat. 46[deg]44'30'' N, long. 117[deg]06'42'' W)

    That airspace within a 4.5-mile radius of the airport, and 
within 2.3 miles each side of the 058[deg] bearing extending from 
the 4.5-mile radius to 7 miles northeast of the 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.

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

* * * * *

ANM WA E5 Pullman/Moscow, WA [Amended]

Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport, WA
    (Lat. 46[deg]44'30'' N, long. 117[deg]06'42'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
bounded by a line beginning at a point on the 055[deg] bearing, 11.1 
miles from the airport, then clockwise along the airport's 11.1-mile 
radius to the 122[deg] bearing, then to the 212[deg] bearing at 6.4 
miles, then to the 243[deg] bearing at 7.3 miles, then to the 
358[deg] bearing at 6.6 miles, thence to the point of beginning.
* * * * *

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on March 20, 2023.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2023-06111 Filed 3-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P