[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 44 (Friday, March 7, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11498-11500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03606]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2529; Airspace Docket No. 24-ASW-14]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Mineral Wells, TX
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Mineral
Wells, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of airspace
reviews conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Mineral Wells
non directional beacon (NDB). This action would also update the
geographic coordinates of the airport and the Millsap Very High
Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VORTAC). The name of the airport would
also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This
action will bring the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and
support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 21, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2529 and
Airspace Docket No. 24-ASW-14 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instruction 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.
[[Page 11499]]
Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or go 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.
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,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 would amend: the Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Mineral Wells
Regional Airport, Mineral Wells, TX; to support instrument flight rule
operations at this 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 received 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 dely. 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 post 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-14FDMS), 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 Federal Aviation Administration, Air
Traffic Organization, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group,
10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
Incorporation by Reference
Class E airspace is published in paragraphs 6002, 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 proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order
JO 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024.
These updates would be published subsequently 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 7400.11J 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 by:
Modifying the Class E surface airspace to within a 4.3-mile
(increase from a 4.0-mile) radius of Mineral Wells Regional Airport,
Mineral Wells, TX; removing the Mineral Wells NDB and associated
extensions from the airspace legal description; and updating the name
of the airport (previously Mineral Wells Airport) to coincide with the
FAA's aeronautical database; and replacing the outdated terms ``Notice
to Airmen'' and ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Notice to Air
Missions'' and ``Chart Supplement''.
Modifying the Class E surface airspace at Mineral Wells Regional
Airport by updating the name of the airport (previously Mineral Wells
Airport) to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; extending
upward from 700 feet above the surface to within a 6.8 mile-radius
(increased from 6.5 mile) radius of the airport; removing the Mineral
Wells NDB and associated extension from the airspace legal description
as it is no longer required; adding an extension 2.5 miles each side of
the 138[deg] bearing from the Millsap VORTAC extending from the 6.8-
mile radius to 7.0 miles southeast from the Millsap VORTAC; updating
the geographic coordinates of the airport and VORTAC to coincide with
the FAA's aeronautical database.
This action is the result of an airspace review conducted as part
of the decommissioning of the Mineral Wells NDB and supports IFR
operations at this airport.
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 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
[[Page 11500]]
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), 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 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.
* * * * *
ASW TX E2 Mineral Wells, TX [Amended]
Mineral Wells Regional Airport, TX
(Lat. 32[deg]46'54'' N, long. 98[deg]03'37'' W)
Within a 4.3-mile radius of Mineral Wells Regional Airport. This
Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and
times established in advance by a Notice to Air Missions. The
effective dates and times 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.
* * * * *
ASW TX E5 Mineral Wells, TX [Amended]
Mineral Wells Regional Airport, TX
(Lat. 32[deg]46'54'' N, long. 98[deg]03'37'' W)
Millsap VORTAC
(Lat. 32[deg]43'34'' N, long. 97[deg]59'51'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6.8-mile radius of Mineral Wells Regional Airport; and
within 2.5 miles each side of the 316[deg] bearing from the Millsap
VORTAC extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 7.0 miles southeast
from the Millsap VORTAC.
* * * * *
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 3, 2025.
Martin A. Skinner,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2025-03606 Filed 3-6-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P