[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 240 (Friday, December 13, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 100737-100738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29317]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2084; Airspace Docket No. 24-AGL-14]
RIN 2120-AA66
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Zeeland, MI
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at Zeeland, MI. This
action is due to the development of new public instrument procedures at
the Ottawa Executive Airport, Zeeland, MI, and to support instrument
flight rule (IFR) operations.
DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, April 17, 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 each day, 365 days each year.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J, 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: Rebecca Shelby, Federal Aviation
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5857.
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 the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet
above the surface at Ottawa Executive Airport, Zeeland, MI, to support
IFR operations at this airport.
History
The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2024-2084 in the
Federal Register (89 FR 68376; August 26, 2024) proposing to establish
Class E airspace at Zeeland, MI. Interested parties were invited to
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on
the proposal to the FAA. Two comments were received by the end of the
comment period October 10, 2024. One of the anonymous commenters stated
their support for the
[[Page 100738]]
proposed development of the Class E airspace at the Ottawa Executive
Airport located in Zeeland, MI, believed that the development of a
Class Echo airspace around Ottawa Executive Airport (Z98), will be
greatly beneficial to the airport and its surrounding airports. They
felt that since there is currently no published instrument procedures,
it is unsafe for even instrumental rated pilots to attempt to navigate
around the airport. It was also stated that Z98 should receive an AWOS
system to ensure weather safety for pilots operating from the airport.
They also, believed that the establishment of a Class E airspace would
prove greatly beneficial to Ottawa Executive Airport.
The other commenter expressed their support for the proposed
development of Class E airspace at the Ottawa Executive Airport located
in Zeeland, MI. Expressed that the change will significantly improve
the safety of IFR operations at Z98. The 6.4-mile radius seems
reasonable as the boundary for the airspace as this will establish
safer approaches and departures under instrument operations. Also,
stated that Z98, would be a great alternative as an airport with
instrument procedures, if a pilot were not interested in entering the
neighboring Class C and D airports. Commenter felt this would improve
airport traffic and benefit the local economy. However, they would
consider Z98 to obtain an AWOS/ASOS for METAs as an extra precaution,
while this airport is developing a Class E. Overall, this proposal
would be efficient in improving the safety and efficiency at the Ottawa
Executive Airport in Zeeland, Michigan. The FAA only considers airports
for Class E airspace establishment to support instrument flight rule
operations at an airport.
Incorporation by Reference
Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 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 amendment to 14 CFR part 71 establishes Class E airspace
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface to within a 6.4-mile
radius of Ottawa Executive Airport, Zeeland, MI.
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
only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified
that this rule, when promulgated, does 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 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 FAA Order JO
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31,
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
AGL MI E5 Zeeland, MI [Establish]
Ottawa Executive Airport, MI, SD
(Lat. 42[deg]49'02'' N, long. 85[deg]55'41'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6.4-mile radius of the Ottawa Executive Airport.
* * * * *
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 5, 2024.
Martin A. Skinner,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2024-29317 Filed 12-12-24; 8:45 am]
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