[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]


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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.

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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