[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 29, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18392-18393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06324]
[[Page 18392]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1614; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-28]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D and E Airspace; Macon, GA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace,
and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
at Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Macon, GA, as a result of the
biennial airspace evaluation. This action extends the Class D airspace
and Class E surface airspace for the airport and reduces Class E
airspace upward from 700 feet above the surface surrounding Middle
Georgia Regional and Macon Downtown Airports. The extension of Class D
and Class E surface airspace at Middle Georgia Regional Airport will
not impact the Class D or Class E surface airspace boundaries of Robins
AFB.
DATES: Effective date 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 JO 7400.11
and publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the NPRM, all comments received, this final rule,
and all background material may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov
using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines
are available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365
days each year.
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) 305-5946.
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 as it amends airspace for Middle Georgia Regional
Airport, Macon, GA, to support IFR operations in the area.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No.
FAA 2022-1614 in the Federal Register (87 FR 78885; December 23, 2022),
amending Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, and Class E
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Middle
Georgia Regional Airport, Macon, GA.
Differences From the NPRM
Subsequent to the publication of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,
the FAA found the Macon Class D and Class E2 language incorrectly
described the southwest point of intersection between the Middle
Georgia Regional 4.9-mile radius, the Robins AFB 5.5-mile radius, and
the Middle Georgia Regional 210 degree bearing. These three points do
not converge together and are in excess of 300 feet. There was a
similar discrepancy found for the northeast point of intersection. The
three references do not converge together on the 65-degree bearing,
where it intersects the Robins AFB 5.5-mile radius and the Middle
Georgia 4.9-mile radius. This action updates the Macon Class D and
Class E2 descriptions with the appropriate language.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraphs
5000, 6002, and 6005 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 amends the current version of that
order, FAA Order JO 7400.11G, 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. These amendments will
be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
FAA Order JO 7400.11G lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas,
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending Class D airspace for
Middle Georgia Regional Airport by extending the airspace from a 4.1-
mile radius to a 4.9-mile radius surrounding the airport. Class E
surface airspace for Middle Georgia Regional Airport is amended by
extending the airspace from a 4.1-mile radius to a 4.9-mile radius
surrounding the airport. The Class E airspace extending upward from 700
feet above the surface is amended to within a 7.4-mile radius of Middle
Georgia Regional Airport (reduced from a 7.8-mile radius). The Class E
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is amended to
within a 7.5-mile radius of Macon Downtown Airport (reduced from an
8.8-mile radius).
In addition, this action replaces 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.
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 so minimal. Since this is a routine matter that
only affects air traffic procedures and 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 5-6.5.a. This airspace action is not expected
to cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an
environmental assessment.
[[Page 18393]]
Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
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 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 GA D Macon, GA [Amended]
Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Macon, GA
(Lat 32[deg]41'34'' N, long 83[deg]38'57'' W)
Robins AFB
(Lat 32[deg]38'25'' N, long 83[deg]35'31'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,900 feet MSL within a 4.9-mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional
Airport, excluding the portion within the 5.5-mile radius of Robins
AFB Airport that lies south of a line connecting the two points of
intersection of the 5.5-mile radius circle centered on the Robins
AFB Airport and the 4.1-mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional
Airport. 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 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.
* * * * *
ASO GA E2 Macon, GA [Amended]
Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Macon, GA
(Lat 32[deg]41'34'' N, long 83[deg]38'57'' W)
Robins AFB
(Lat 32[deg]38'25'' N, long 83[deg]35'31''W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.9-
mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional Airport, excluding the
portion within the 5.5-mile radius of Robins AFB Airport that lies
south of a line connecting the two points of intersection of the
5.5-mile radius circle centered on the Robins AFB Airport and the
4.1-mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional Airport. 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 GA E5 Macon, GA [Amended]
Middle Georgia Regional Airport, GA
(Lat 32[deg]41'34'' N, long 83[deg]38'57'' W)
Macon Downtown Airport
(Lat 32[deg]49'18'' N, long 83[deg]33'43'' W)
Robins AFB
(Lat 32[deg]38'25'' N, long 83[deg]35'31'' W)
Perry-Houston County Airport
(Lat 32[deg]30'38'' N, long 83[deg]46'02'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.4-mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional Airport, and
within a 7.5-mile radius of Macon Downtown Airport, a 7-mile radius
of Robins AFB, and a 9.8-mile radius of Perry-Houston County
Airport.
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. 2023-06324 Filed 3-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P