[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 234 (Thursday, December 5, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 96520-96521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28378]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2062; Airspace Docket No. 24-ASO-27]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Class D Airspace and Amendment of Class E 
Airspace; Auburn, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class D airspace and amends Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Auburn 
University Regional Airport, Auburn, AL, as a new air traffic control 
tower services the airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the 
safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in 
the area.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, February 20, 2025. 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: 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 a day, 365 days a year.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations, and Reporting Points, 
as well as subsequent amendments, can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the 
Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Scott Stuart, Operations 
Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 
1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; telephone: (404) 305-
5926.

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 establishes Class D airspace at Auburn University Regional 
Airport, Auburn, AL.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA 2024-2062 in the Federal Register (89 FR 78832; September 26, 
2024), proposing to establish Class D airspace and amend Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Auburn 
University Regional Airport, Auburn, AL. Interested parties were 
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written 
comments on the proposal to the FAA. Three favorable comments 
supporting the establishment of controlled airspace at Auburn 
University Regional Airport were received.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class D and Class E airspace are published in paragraphs 5000 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 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 
2024. FAA Order JO 7400.11J 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 7400.11J 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 establishing Class D airspace 
for Auburn University Regional Airport, Auburn, AL, as a new air 
traffic control tower services the airport. Also, an airspace 
evaluation resulted in an amendment to decrease the size of the 
existing Class E

[[Page 96521]]

airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.9-
mile radius by removing the extension of 1.6 miles on each side of the 
237[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 6.9-mile radius 
to 11 miles southwest of the airport.

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 5-6.5a. 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.

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:

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 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO AL D Auburn, AL [New]

Auburn University Regional Airport, AL
    (Lat. 32[deg]36'54'' N, long. 85[deg]26'02'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of Auburn University 
Regional 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 Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ASO AL E5 Auburn, AL [Amended]

Auburn University Regional Airport, AL
    (Lat. 32[deg]36'54'' N, long. 85[deg]26'02'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.9-mile radius of Auburn University Regional Airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on November 26, 2024
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2024-28378 Filed 12-4-24; 8:45 am]
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