[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 98 (Thursday, May 22, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21874-21876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09210]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0946; Airspace Docket No. 25-ASO-11]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D and E Airspace Over Hickory and Morganton,
NC
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E2 surface
airspace at Hickory Regional Airport, Hickory, NC, by increasing the
radius to 4.6-miles and establishing an extension to the surface area
due to standard instrument approach procedure and runway configuration
changes. Additionally, this action would amend Class E5 airspace
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Hickory Regional
Airport, Hickory, NC, by increasing the radius to 7.1 miles and adding
an extension. Lastly, this action would also amend Class E airspace
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Foothills Regional
Airport, Morganton, NC, ensuring the required protection for standard
instrument approach procedures, and would also update the airport's
name and geographic coordinates and remove Grace Hospital from the
description. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and
management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 7, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-0946 and
Airspace Docket No. 25-ASO-11 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: 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 for 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 for 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, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; Telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Stocking, Operations
Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration,
1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-
5887.
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 Class D and E airspace in Hickory and Morganton, NC.
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
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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 edits, 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
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during
regular business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center,
Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College
Park, GA, 30337.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in
paragraphs 5000, 6002, 6004, 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 in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO
7400.11J 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
This action proposes an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend the
Class D and E airspace at Hickory Regional Airport, Hickory, NC, and
Class E airspace at Foothills Regional Airport, Morganton, NC.
Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of IFR
operations in the area for existing instrument approaches.
This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E2 airspace at
Hickory Regional Airport by increasing the radius from 4.1-miles to
4.6-miles and by establishing an extension to the surface area that is
within 2 miles each side of the 235[deg] bearing of Tawba
Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB), extending from the 4.6-mile radius
of the Hickory Regional Airport to 5.2 miles southwest of the NDB.
Additionally, this action proposes to amend the Class E5 airspace by
extending the radius from 6.6-miles to 7.1 miles and adding an
extension that is within 3-miles each side of the 055[deg] bearing from
Tawba NDB, extending from the 7.1-mile radius of the Hickory Regional
Airport to 5.7 miles northeast of the NDB. The Class D and E2 airspace
area is effective during the specific days and times established in
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective days and times will
thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
Lastly, this action proposes to amend Class E5 airspace at
Foothills Regional Airport, Morganton, NC, by amending the confines,
updating the airport name and coordinates, and removing Grace Hospital
from the description to be consistent with FAA's database. The action
will update the airport name from Morganton-Lenior Airport to Foothills
Regional Airport and amend the Class E5 airspace extending upward from
700 feet above the surface within a 8-mile radius of the Foothills
Regional Airport and within 2 miles each side of the 205[deg] and
023[deg] bearing from Fiddlers NDB, extending from the 8-mile radius to
4.7-miles southwest and from the 8-mile radius to 18.2-miles northeast
of the NDB; excluding that airspace within the Hickory, NC, Class E
airspace area.
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
Department of Transportation (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 final regulatory action by the FAA.
Lists 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 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 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
ASO NC D Hickory, NC [Amended]
Hickory Regional Airport, NC
(Lat. 35[deg]44'28'' N, long. 81[deg]23'22'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3700 feet MSL within a 4.6-mile radius of Hickory Regional Airport
and within 2 miles each side of the 235[deg] bearing of Tawba NDB,
extending from a 4.6-mile radius of the Hickory Regional
[[Page 21876]]
Airport to 5.2 miles southwest of the NDB. This Class D airspace is
effective during the specific days and times established in advance
by a Notice to Airmen. The effective days and times will thereafter
be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.
* * * * *
ASO NC E2 Hickory, NC [Amended]
Hickory Regional Airport, NC
(Lat. 35[deg]44'28'' N, long. 81[deg]23'22'' W)
That airspace within a 4.6-mile radius of Hickory Regional
Airport and within 2 miles each side of the 235[deg] bearing of
Tawba NDB, extending from a 4.6-mile radius of the Hickory Regional
Airport to 5.2 miles southwest of the NDB. This Class E airspace
area is effective during the specific dates and times established in
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will
thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace.
* * * * *
ASO NC E5 Hickory, NC [Amended]
Hickory Regional Airport, NC
(Lat. 35[deg]44'28'' N, long. 81[deg]23'22'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.1-mile radius of Hickory Regional Airport, and within 3-
miles each side of the 055[deg] bearing from Tawba NDB, extending
from the 7.1-mile radius of the Hickory Regional Airport to 5.7
miles northeast of the NDB.
* * * * *
ASO NC E5 Morganton, NC [Amended]
Foothills Regional Airport, NC
(Lat. 35[deg]49'13'' N, long. 81[deg]36'41'' W)
Fiddlers NDB
(Lat. 35[deg]42'37'' N, long. 81[deg]40'17'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 8-mile radius of the Foothills Regional Airport and within
2 miles each side of the 205[deg] and 023[deg] bearing from Fiddlers
NDB, extending from the 8-mile radius to 4.7-miles southwest and
from the 8-mile radius to 18.2-miles northeast of the NDB.
* * * * *
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on May 7, 2025.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2025-09210 Filed 5-21-25; 8:45 am]
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