[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 245 (Friday, December 22, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 88548-88550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28226]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1660; Airspace Docket No. 23-AWP-37]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Class D Airspace and Modification of Class E 
Airspace; McClellan Airfield, Sacramento, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class D airspace extending 
upward from the surface up to and including 2,600 feet at McClellan 
Airfield, Sacramento, CA. Additionally, this action proposes 
administrative modifications to update the airport's Class E airspace 
legal description. These actions would support the safety and 
management of instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules 
(VFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 5, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-1660 and 
Airspace Docket No. 23-AWP-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 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 at any time. 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 Federal holidays.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed

[[Page 88549]]

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: Nathan A. Chaffman, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3460.

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 establish Class D airspace and modify Class E airspace at 
McClellan Airfield, Sacramento, CA, to support IFR and VFR operations 
at the airport.

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.
    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.

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 
Office (see the ADDRESSES section for the address, phone number, and 
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the Northwest Mountain Regional Office of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Western 
Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S 216th Street, Des 
Moines, WA 98198.

Incorporation by Reference

    The Class D and Class E2 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000 and 6002, respectively, 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 proposes to 
amend the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11H, dated 
August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023. 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 7400.11H lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

Background

    An FAA Contract Tower is being established at the airport and the 
FAA is proposing to establish Class D airspace and modify Class E 
airspace to support and coincide with the tower's activation.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to establish 
Class D airspace and modify the Class E airspace designated as a 
surface area at McClellan Airfield, Sacramento, CA.
    The proposed Class D airspace extending from the surface up to and 
including 2,500 feet above the surface at McClellan Airfield would 
contain IFR arrival operations while between the surface and 1,000 feet 
above the surface, and IFR departure operations while between the 
surface and the base of adjacent controlled airspace. The proposed 
airspace is centered on the McClellan Airfield reference point and is 
within a 4.5-nautical mile radius of the airport.
    Finally, the FAA proposes administrative modifications to the 
airport's Class E legal description. The Class E legal description 
should be modified to correct the Sacramento Class C airspace 
exclusionary language and add exclusionary language for the Mather 
Airport Class D surface area. As such, the text header, line 3, should 
include reference to Sacramento International Airport and Sacramento 
Mather Airport, and their associated geographic coordinates.

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 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.

[[Page 88550]]

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 
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AWP CA D Sacramento, CA

McClellan Airfield, CA
    (Lat. 38[deg]40'04'' N, long. 121[deg]24'02'' W)
Sacramento International Airport
    (Lat. 38[deg]41'44'' N, long. 121[deg]35'27'' W)
Sacramento Mather Airport
    (Lat. 38[deg]33'19'' N, long. 121[deg]17'50'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of McClellan Airfield, 
excluding that airspace within the Sacramento International Airport 
Class C Airspace Area and that airspace within the Sacramento Mather 
Airport Class D Surface 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 Airspace Designated as a Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AWP CA E2 Sacramento, CA

McClellan Airfield, CA
    (Lat. 38[deg]40'04'' N, long. 121[deg]24'02'' W)
Sacramento International Airport
    (Lat. 38[deg]41'44'' N, long. 121[deg]35'27'' W)
Sacramento Mather Airport
    (Lat. 38[deg]33'19'' N, long. 121[deg]17'50'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.5-
mile radius of McClellan Airfield excluding that airspace within the 
Sacramento International Airport Class C Airspace Area and that 
airspace within the Sacramento Mather Airport Class D Surface Area.
* * * * *

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on December 18, 2023.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2023-28226 Filed 12-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P