[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 68 (Monday, April 10, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21141-21142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07194]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0503; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASO-07]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Huntsville, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E surface 
airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface in Huntsville, AL, as the result of a biennial airspace 
evaluation. This action would extend the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface surrounding Redstone Army 
Airfield (AAF) and Huntsville Executive Tom Sharp Jr. Field. The FAA 
also proposes to update terminology in the Class D and Class E surface 
airspace descriptions for Redstone AAF.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 25, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-0503 and 
Airspace Docket No. 23-ASO-07 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 for 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 anytime. 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 for 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, Office of Policy, 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 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.

[[Page 21142]]

Incorporation by Reference

    Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000, 6002, and 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 proposes an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of Redstone 
AAF by increasing the radius to 14.1 miles (previously 9.5 miles). The 
FAA also proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface of Huntsville Executive Tom Sharp Field by 
increasing the radius to 7.6 miles (previously 6.3 miles). In doing so, 
the Huntsville International-Carl T. Jones Field: RWY 36L-LOC will be 
removed from the legal description of Huntsville Executive Tom Sharp 
Field as it is no longer a necessary part of the legal description. In 
addition, this action would replace the outdated terms Airport/Facility 
Directory with the term Chart Supplement and Notice to Airmen with the 
term Notice to Air Missions in the Huntsville Class D and Class E 
surface airspace descriptions.

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 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 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO AL D Huntsville, Redstone Army Airfield, AL

Redstone Army Airfield, AL
    (Lat 34[deg]40'43'' N, long 86[deg]41'05'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to but not 
including 2,400 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of Redstone Army 
Airfield, excluding that portion within the Huntsville 
International-Carl T. Jones Field, AL, Class C airspace area. 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 AL E2 Huntsville, AL

Huntsville International-Carl T. Jones Field, AL
    (Lat 34[deg]38'14'' N, long 86[deg]46'30'' W)
Redstone AAF, AL
    (Lat 34[deg]40'43'' N, long 86[deg]41'05'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 5-mile 
radius of the Huntsville International-Carl T. Jones Field, 
excluding that airspace within a 1-mile radius of the Redstone AAF. 
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.

* * * * *

ASO AL E5 Huntsville, AL

Redstone AAF, AL
    (Lat 34[deg]40'43'' N, long 86[deg]41'05'' W)
Pryor Field Regional Airport, AL
    (Lat 34[deg]39'15'' N, long 86[deg]56'43'' W)
Huntsville Executive Tom Sharp Jr. Field, AL
    (Lat 34[deg]51'34'' N, long 86[deg]33'27'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 14.1-mile radius of Redstone AAF, within a 7-mile radius of 
Pryor Field Regional Airport, and within a 7.6-mile radius of 
Huntsville Executive Tom Sharp Jr. Field.

    Issued in College Park, GA on March 21, 2023.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2023-07194 Filed 4-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P