[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28987-28989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09033]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1455; Airspace Docket No. 21-AWP-42]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Lemoore Naval Air
Station (NAS) (Reeves Field), CA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
[[Page 28988]]
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D and Class E surface airspace
at Lemoore Naval Air Station, Reeves Field. It removes the Class E
airspace designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface
area, removes the Class E airspace extending from 1,200 feet above the
surface, modifies the Class E airspace extending from 700 feet above
the surface of the earth, and it makes several administrative changes
to update the airport's legal descriptions. These actions will support
the safety and management of instrument flight rule (IFR) and visual
flight rule (VFR) operations at the airport.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, August 10, 2023. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference 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 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (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: 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 modifies Class D and Class E airspace, and revokes Class E
airspace at Lemoore NAS, Reeves Field, CA, to support IFR and VFR
operations at the airport.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No.
FAA-2022-1455 in the Federal Register (87 FR 77044; December 16, 2022),
modifying the Class D and E airspace designated as surface areas,
removing the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a
Class D or Class E surface area, modifying the Class E airspace
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, removing the Class E
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface, and
modifying the administrative portion of the Class D and Class E
airspace legal descriptions at Lemoore NAS, Reeves Field, CA.
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No
comments were received.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in
paragraphs 5000, 6002, 6004, 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 modifying the Class D airspace
at Lemoore NAS (Reeves Field), Lemoore, CA. The Class D airspace is
expanded from a 5.2-mile radius of the airport to a 5.4-mile radius to
contain IFR departure operations more appropriately while between the
surface and the base of adjacent controlled airspace.
The Class E airspace designated as a surface area is modified to be
coincident with the Class D airspace.
The Class E airspace designated as an extension to the Class D and
Class E surface areas is no longer needed and is removed. The modified
lateral boundaries of the Class D and Class E surface areas are
sufficient to contain IFR arrival operations while between the surface
and 1,000 feet above the surface.
The Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the
surface at the airport is also modified. The north and southeast
extensions of this Class E airspace are removed as the existing
airspace within a 7.9-mile radius of the airport is sufficient to
contain arriving IFR operations below 1,500 feet above the surface and
departing IFR operations until they reach 1,200 feet above the surface.
The Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the
surface at the airport is removed as the area is already contained
within the Sacramento Class E domestic en route airspace area, and
duplication is not necessary.
Finally, this action makes several administrative modifications to
the airport's legal descriptions. The city and airport name information
in the first two lines of the text headers for both the Class D and
Class E surface areas are incorrect. The term ``NAS'' is removed from
line one of those descriptions, and the airport name is corrected by
replacing the name ``LeMoore'' with ``Lemoore'' on the second line and
in the body of both legal descriptions to match the FAA's database. The
terms ``Notice to Airmen'' and ``Airport/Facility Directory'' in the
Class D and E surface area legal descriptions are updated to read
``Notice to Air Missions'' and ``Chart Supplement,'' respectively, to
match the FAA's current nomenclature. Reference to the Lemoore NAS
Tactical Air Navigation Navigational Aid is removed from the legal
description for the Class E airspace extending from 700 feet above the
surface and is replaced with the airport name and geographical
location.
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 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
[[Page 28989]]
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
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 the preparation of an
environmental assessment.
List 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.
* * * * *
AWP CA D Lemoore, CA [Amended]
Lemoore NAS (Reeves Field), CA
(Lat. 36[deg]19'59'' N, long. 119[deg]57'08'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,700 feet MSL within a 5.4-mile radius of the 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 Airspace Areas Designated as a Surface Area.
* * * * *
AWP CA E2 Lemoore, CA [Amended]
Lemoore NAS (Reeves Field), CA
(Lat. 36[deg]19'59'' N, long. 119[deg]57'08'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 5.4-
mile radius 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 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to
a Class D or Class E Surface Area.
* * * * *
AWP CA E4 Lemoore NAS, CA [Removed]
Lemoore NAS (Reeves Field), CA
(Lat. 36[deg]19'59'' N, long. 119[deg]57'08'' W)
Lemoore TACAN
(Lat. 36[deg]20'39'' N, long. 119[deg]57'59'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.8 miles
each side of the Lemoore TACAN 335[deg] and 357[deg] radials,
extending from the 5.2-mile radius of Lemoore NAS (Reeves Field) to
7 miles northwest and north of the TACAN, and within 1.8 miles each
side of the Lemoore TACAN 155[deg] radial, extending from the 5.2-
mile radius to 7 miles southeast of the TACAN.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
AWP CA E5 Lemoore, CA [Amended]
Lemoore NAS (Reeves Field), CA
(Lat. 36[deg]19'59'' N, long. 119[deg]57'08'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.9-mile radius of the airport.
* * * * *
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on April 25, 2023.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2023-09033 Filed 5-4-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P