[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 92 (Friday, May 12, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30639-30640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-10187]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 92 / Friday, May 12, 2023 / Rules and 
Regulations  

[[Page 30639]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0070; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASO-01]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Beaufort, SC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, 
and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
at Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station (MCAF)/Merritt Field, Beaufort, 
SC, by updating the airport's geographic coordinates. This action also 
updates the name of Beaufort Executive Airport (formerly Beaufort Count 
Airport) and removes unnecessary verbiage from the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. In addition, this 
action makes the editorial changes replacing the term Notice to Airmen 
with Notice to Air Missions and replacing the term Airport/Facility 
Directory with Chart Supplement. This action does not change the 
airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, August 10, 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: FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, contact the Airspace Policy 
Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Fornito, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-6364.

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 updates airspace descriptions. This update is an administrative 
change and does not change the airspace boundaries or operating 
requirements.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class D and Class E airspace are published in paragraphs 5000, 
6002, and 6005 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, 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 amendment to 14 CFR part 71 amends the Class D airspace, Class 
E surface airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station (MCAF)/Merritt 
Field, Beaufort, SC, by updating the airport's geographic coordinates. 
This action also updates the name of Beaufort Executive Airport 
(formerly Beaufort County Airport). It removes unnecessary verbiage, 
referring to Hilton Head Island, from the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface, as it is unnecessary. In 
addition, this action makes the editorial changes replacing the term 
Notice to Airmen with Notice to Air Missions and replacing the term 
Airport/Facility Directory with Chart Supplement. This action is an 
administrative change and does not affect the airspace boundaries or 
operating requirements; therefore, notice and public procedure under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary.

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 
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

    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.

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:

[[Page 30640]]

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 Federal Aviation 
Administration 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 SC D Beaufort, SC [Amended]

Beaufort MCAS/Merritt Field, SC
    (Lat. 32[deg]28'50'' N, long. 80[deg]43'09'' W)
Beaufort Executive Airport
    (Lat. 32[deg]24'44'' N, long. 80[deg]38'04'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 5.6-mile radius of Beaufort MCAS/Merritt 
Field, excluding that airspace within a 1-mile radius of the 
Beaufort Executive 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 SC E2 Beaufort, SC [Amended]

Beaufort MCAS/Merritt Field, SC
    (Lat. 32[deg]28'50'' N, long. 80[deg]43'09'' W)
Beaufort Executive Airport
    (Lat. 32[deg]24'44'' N, long. 80[deg]38'04'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 5.6-
mile radius of Beaufort MCAS/Merritt Field, excluding that airspace 
within a 1-mile radius of the Beaufort Executive 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 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ASO SC E5 Beaufort, SC [Amended]

Beaufort MCAS/Merritt Field, SC
    (Lat. 32[deg]28'50'' N, long. 80[deg]43'09'' W)
Beaufort Executive Airport
    (Lat. 32[deg]24'44'' N, long. 80[deg]38'04'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Beaufort MCAS/Merritt Field and a 6.5-mile 
radius of Beaufort Executive Airport.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on May 2, 2023.
Lisa E. Burrows,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2023-10187 Filed 5-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P