[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 4, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19895-19896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06886]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 64 / Tuesday, April 4, 2023 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 19895]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0707; Airspace Docket No. 18-AWP-28]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Benton Field Airport, Redding, 
CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Benton Field Airport. This 
action will support the airport's transition from visual flight rule 
(VFR) to instrument flight rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 19, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2020-0707 and 
Airspace Docket No. 18-AWP-18 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.
    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/.

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 would establish Class E airspace at Benton Field Airport, 
Redding, CA, to support IFR operations at the airport.

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--either electronically or 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.
    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; this is described in the 
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded 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 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

    The Class E5 airspace designation is published in paragraph 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 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.

[[Page 19896]]

Background

    The FAA published an NPRM in the Federal Register for FAA-2020-0707 
(85 FR 49985; August 17, 2020) to establish Class E airspace at the 
Benton Field Airport for the purpose of containing the Area Navigation 
(RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Runway (RWY) 16 approach and the 
RNAV (GPS) RWY 34 approach. Following the above NPRM publication, the 
two procedures were modified and renamed. The RNAV (GPS) RWY 16 
approach was modified to become a circling only approach and was 
renamed as the RNAV GPS-A approach. The RNAV (GPS) RWY 34 approach was 
modified to become a circling only approach and was renamed as the RNAV 
GPS-B approach. These revised procedures have generated the need for 
additional modifications to the airspace dimensions to appropriately 
contain the procedures at Benton Field Airport, CA. This supplemental 
SNPRM reflects those changes.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 by establishing 
Class E airspace, extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, at 
Benton Field Airport. This area is designed to accommodate arriving IFR 
operations below 1,500 feet above the surface and departing IFR 
operations until they reach 1,200 feet above the surface. The proposed 
airspace is described in relation to the airport reference point and is 
within a 3.3-mile radius of the airport, and within 4 miles east and 
2.3 miles west of the 002[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from 
3.3-miles radius to 12.4 miles north of the airport, and within 3.1 
miles each side of the 179[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 
from the 3.3-mile radius to 8.8 miles south of the airport.

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 is 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

    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 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 Redding, CA [New]

Benton Field Airport, CA
    (Lat. 40[deg]34'25'' N, long. 122[deg]24'26'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 3.3-mile radius of the airport, and within 4 miles east and 
2.3 miles west of the 002[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 
from 3.3-miles radius to 12.4 miles north of the airport, and within 
3.1 miles each side of the 179[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 3.3-mile radius to 8.8 miles south of Benton 
Field Airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on March 27, 2023.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2023-06886 Filed 4-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P