[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18264-18266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06329]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0502; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASO-09]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Augusta, GA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface in Augusta, GA as the result of 
new procedures developed for the Augusta University Medical Center and 
Children's Hospital of Georgia Heliport. This action would establish 
the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6-mile

[[Page 18265]]

radius of the Augusta University Medical Center and Children's Hospital 
of Georgia. The FAA also proposes to update the geographical 
coordinates for the Emory non-directional beacon (NDB) in the Augusta 
Class E5 legal description to align with information located in the 
FAA's database.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 12, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-0502 and 
Airspace Docket No. 23-ASO-09 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.
    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: Jennifer Ledford, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; telephone: (404) 305-5649.

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 controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and 
management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

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 office of the Eastern Service Center, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Room 350, 1701 Columbia Ave., College 
Park, GA 30337.

Incorporation by Reference

    The Class E airspace designation is published in paragraph 6005 of 
FAA Order JO 7400.11, 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 to amend Class 
E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Augusta, 
GA by establishing Class E airspace extending upward from the surface 
within a 6-mile radius of the Augusta University Medical Center and 
Children's Hospital of Georgia. This airspace would allow medical 
transport helicopters to fly during inclement weather, and would be 
included in the Augusta, GA Class E5 legal description. In addition, 
this action would update the Emory NDB geographical coordinates in the 
Augusta, GA Class E5 legal description to align with the information 
found in the FAA's database.

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

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

* * * * *

ASO GA E5 Augusta, GA [Amend]

Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, GA
    (Lat. 33[deg]22'12'' N, long. 81[deg]57'52'' W)
Daniel Field
    (Lat. 33[deg]28'00'' N, long. 82[deg]02'22'' W)
Augusta University Medical Center and Children's Hospital of Georgia
    (Lat. 33[deg]28'17'' N, long. 81[deg]59'17'' W)
Emory NDB
    (Lat. 33[deg]27'46'' N, long. 81[deg]59'47'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 8.6-mile radius of Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, 
and within 3.2 miles either side of the 168[deg] bearing from the 
airport extending from the 8.6-mile radius to 12.5 miles south of 
the airport, and within a 7-mile radius of Daniel Field, and within 
a 6-mile radius of Augusta University Medical Center and Children's 
Hospital of Georgia, and within 8 miles west and 4 miles east of the 
349[deg] bearing from the Emory NDB extending from the 7-mile radius 
of Daniel Field and the 6-mile radius of Augusta University Medical 
Center and Children's Hospital of Georgia to 16 miles north of the 
Emory NDB.

    Issued in College Park, GA, on March 22, 2023.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2023-06329 Filed 3-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P