[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 76 (Thursday, April 18, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27695-27697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08166]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0184; Airspace Docket No. 23-AWP-69]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Class D Airspace and Establishment of Class E 
Airspace; Sacramento Mather Airport, Sacramento, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class D airspace extending 
upward from the surface to and including 2,600 feet mean sea level 
(MSL) and establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at Sacramento Mather Airport, Sacramento, CA. 
Additionally, this action proposes administrative modifications to 
update the airport's Class D 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 June 3, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-0184 and 
Airspace Docket No. 23-AWP-69 using any of the following methods:
    * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the

[[Page 27696]]

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 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 modify Class D airspace and establish Class E airspace at 
Sacramento Mather Airport, 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

    Class D and Class E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000 and 6005, 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.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to modify the 
Class D airspace and establish Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface at Sacramento Mather Airport, Sacramento, 
CA.
    The Class D surface area is comprised of a 4.5-mile radius of the 
airport. This airspace should be modified to include an extension 
centered on the 061[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 1.8 miles 
beyond the existing radius. This extension would better contain 
departing IFR operations while utilizing the Runway (RWY) 4 Left (L) 
and 4 Right (R) obstacle departure procedures (ODP) until reaching the 
base of adjacent controlled airspace.
    Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
should be established to appropriately contain arriving IFR operations 
below 1,500 feet above the surface and departing IFR operations until 
reaching 1,200 feet above the surface at Sacramento Mather Airport. The 
airport utilizes the Sacramento very high frequency omnidirectional 
range/tactical air navigation (VORTAC) Class E airspace for some of its 
procedure containment, but that airspace is not sufficient in 
containing the Area Navigation (RNAV) (Global Positioning System [GPS]) 
RWY 22L approach at Sacramento Mather Airport. The point at which an 
arriving aircraft is expected to descend below 1,500 feet above the 
surface when flying the approach is within the hold-in-lieu of 
procedure turn holding pattern for the approach. The location of that 
point requires that the entirety of the holding area be contained 
within Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface.
    Finally, the FAA proposes administrative modifications to the 
airport's Class D legal description. The

[[Page 27697]]

location of the airspace is incorrect and should be changed to read 
``Sacramento, CA'' instead of ``Sacramento Mather Airport, CA.'' The 
geographic coordinates located on line three of the text header should 
be updated to match the FAA's database. Lastly, Sacramento Mather 
Airport has part-time Class D airspace but does not include a part-time 
statement within the legal description. Verbiage should be added to the 
legal description to properly describe the airspace as part-time.

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.

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 [Amended]

Sacramento Mather Airport, CA
    (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 Sacramento Mather 
Airport, and within 1.9 miles either side of the 061[deg] bearing 
from the airport, extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 6.3 miles 
northeast 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 6005 Class E Airspace Extending Upward From 700 Feet or 
More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

AWP CA E5 Sacramento, CA [New]

Sacramento Mather Airport, CA
    (Lat. 38[deg]33'19'' N, long. 121[deg]17'50'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.8-mile radius of the airport from the 075[deg] bearing 
clockwise to the 210[deg] bearing, and within 2.8 miles northwest 
and 2.4 miles southeast of the 054[deg] bearing extending from the 
airport to 12.7 miles northeast, and within 6 miles northwest and 9 
miles southeast of the 054[deg] bearing extending from 12.7 miles 
northeast of the airport to 24.3 miles northeast, and that airspace 
within 2.8 miles either side of the 234[deg] bearing extending from 
the airport to 10.9 miles southwest of the airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on April 11, 2024.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2024-08166 Filed 4-17-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P