[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 188 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67126-67127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21180]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1899; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASO-37]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, and Establishment of 
Class E Airspace; Winston Salem, NC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D and Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Smith Reynolds 
Airport, Winston Salem, NC. This action would also establish Class E 
airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area and amend 
verbiage in the Class D description.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 13, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-1899 and 
Airspace Docket No. 23-ASO-37 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.
    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 7400.11H 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:  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 would amend Class D and Class E airspace in Winston Salem, NC.

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 once 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 and 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 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 editing, 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.

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 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 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College 
Park, GA 30337.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in 
Paragraphs 5000, 6004, and 6005 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference 
in 14 CFR 71.1 annually. This document proposes to amend the current 
version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11H, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2023, and effective September 15, 
2023. These updates would be published in the next FAA Order JO 7400.11 
update. FAA Order JO 7400.11H is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this

[[Page 67127]]

document. FAA Order JO 7400.11H 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 D 
airspace for Smith Reynolds Airport, Winston Salem, NC, by adding an 
extension from the 4.2-mile radius of the airport to 5.8 miles 
northwest of the airport. The Class E airspace extending from 700 feet 
above the surface radius would increase to 9-miles (previously 6.6-
miles), and all extensions removed. Moreover, the action would remove 
REENO NDB from the airspace description as it has been decommissioned. 
This action would also establish Class E airspace designated as an 
extension to a Class D surface area from the 4.2-mile radius to 6.5 
miles southeast of the airport. In addition, this action would also 
remove the city name from the airport description header as per the 
7400.2, as well as replacing the terms Notice to Airmen with Notice to 
Air Missions and Airport/Facility Directory with Chart Supplement in 
the Class D airspace description. Controlled airspace is necessary for 
the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations 
in the area.

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 
Department of Transportation (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.

Lists 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 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 
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO NC D Winston Salem, NC [Amended]

Smith Reynolds Airport, NC
    (Lat 36[deg]08'01'' N, long 80[deg]13'19'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,500 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of the Smith Reynolds 
Airport and 1 mile on each side of the 325[deg] bearing of the 
airport, extending from the 4.2-mile radius to 5.8 miles northwest 
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 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to Class 
D or E Surface Area.

* * * * *

ASO NC E4 Winston Salem, NC [Established]

Smith Reynolds Airport, NC
    (Lat 36[deg]08'01'' N, long 80[deg]13'19'' W)

    That airspace extends upward from the surface within 1 mile on 
each side of the 145[deg] bearing from Smith Reynolds Airport, 
extending from the 4.2-mile radius of the airport to 6.5 miles 
southeast. 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 NC E5 Winston Salem, NC [Amended]

Smith Reynolds Airport, NC
    (Lat 36[deg]08'01'' N, long 80[deg]13'19'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 9-mile radius of Smith Reynolds Airport.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on September 21, 2023.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2023-21180 Filed 9-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P