80_FR_62649 80 FR 62449 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Ponce, PR

80 FR 62449 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Ponce, PR

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 200 (October 16, 2015)

Page Range62449-62450
FR Document2015-25853

This action amends Class E Airspace at Ponce, PR, as the PONCE VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid, (VORTAC) has been decommissioned, requiring airspace redesign at Mercedita Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 200 (Friday, October 16, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 200 (Friday, October 16, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62449-62450]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25853]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0967; Airspace Docket No. 14-ASO-19]


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Ponce, PR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E Airspace at Ponce, PR, as the PONCE 
VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid, (VORTAC) 
has been decommissioned, requiring airspace redesign at Mercedita 
Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 10, 2015. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on line at http://www.faa.gov/airtraffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 20591; 
telephone: 202-267-8783. The Order is also available for inspection at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-
6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Fornito, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. 
Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-6364.

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 amends Class E airspace at Mercedita Airport, Ponce, PR.

 History

    On July 16, 2015, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class E surface area 
airspace at Mercedita Airport, Ponce, PR, due to the decommissioning of 
the Ponce VORTAC (80 FR 42068). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6002 of 
FAA Order 7400.9Z dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 
2015, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Class 
E airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.9Z, airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 
2015. FAA Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists Class A, B, 
C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting 
points.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 amends Class E surface area airspace at Mercedita Airport, 
Ponce, PR.
    Airspace reconfiguration to within a 4.1-mile radius of the airport 
is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Ponce VORTAC and 
cancellation of the VOR approach, and for continued safety and 
management of IFR operations at 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, 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 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

[[Page 62450]]

under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA 
Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures,'' 
paragraph 311a. 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 Part 71:

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of 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 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 7400.9Z, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, 
effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas

* * * * *

ASO PR E2 Ponce, PR [Amended]

Mercedita Airport, PR
    (Lat. 18[deg]00'30'' N., long. 66[deg]33'47'' W.)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of Mercedita Airport. This Class E 
airspace 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 Airport/
Facility Directory.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on October 2, 2015.
Gerald E. Lynch,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2015-25853 Filed 10-15-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 200 / Friday, October 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 62449 Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December invited to participate in this rulemaking Designated as an Extension to a Class D or 10, 2015. The Director of the Federal effort by submitting written comments Class E Surface Area. Register approves this incorporation by on the proposal to the FAA. No * * * * * reference action under title 1, Code of comments were received. ANM ID E4 Mountain Home, ID [Removed] Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to Class E airspace designations are the annual revision of FAA Order published in paragraph 6002 of FAA Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace areas 7400.9 and publication of conforming Order 7400.9Z dated August 6, 2015, extending upward from 700 feet or more amendments. and effective September 15, 2015, which above the surface of the earth ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Z, is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR * * * * * part 71.1. The Class E airspace Airspace Designations and Reporting ANM ID E5 Mountain Home, ID [Modified] Points, and subsequent amendments can designations listed in this document Mountain Home AFB, ID be viewed on line at http:// will be published subsequently in the (Lat. 43°02′37″ N., long. 115°52′21″ W.) www.faa.gov/airtraffic/publications/. Order. Mountain Home Municipal Airport For further information, you can contact Availability and Summary of (Lat. 43°07′54″ N., long. 115°43′50″ W.) the Airspace Policy and Regulations Documents for Incorporation by That airspace extending upward from 700 Group, Federal Aviation Reference feet above the surface bounded by a line Administration, 800 Independence beginning at lat. 43°06′48″ N., long. This document amends FAA Order Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 20591; 7400.9Z, airspace Designations and 115°28′39″ W.; to lat. 43°02′06″ N., long. 115°31′12″ W.; to lat. 43°03′25″ N., long. telephone: 202–267–8783. The Order is Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, 115°36′21″ W.; to lat. 42°54′24″ N., long. also available for inspection at the and effective September 15, 2015. FAA 115°48′41″ W.; to lat. 42°54′24″ N., long. National Archives and Records Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as 115°56′47″ W.; to lat. 43°00′12″ N., long. Administration (NARA). For listed in the ADDRESSES section of this 116°04′42″ W.; to lat. 43°06′51″ N., long. information on the availability of this document. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists 116°01′24″ W.; to lat. 43°09′22″ N., long. material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, 115°57′57″ W.; to lat. 43°12′54″ N., long. Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, or go to http://www.archives.gov/ air traffic service routes, and reporting 115°42′51″ W., thence to point of beginning, federal_register/code_of_federal- that airspace extending upward from 1,200 points. regulations/ibr_locations.html. feet above the surface bounded by a line beginning at lat. 43°33′06″ N., long. FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace The Rule 116°11′32″ W.; to lat. 42°48′43″ N., long. Designations and Reporting Points, is This amendment to Title 14, Code of 115°00′21″ W.; to lat. 42°23′58″ N., long. published yearly and effective on Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 115°00′21″ W.; to lat. 42°23′58″ N., long. September 15. amends Class E surface area airspace at 115°18′28″ W.; thence clockwise along the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Mercedita Airport, Ponce, PR. 46.0-mile radius of Mountain Home AFB to Fornito, Operations Support Group, Airspace reconfiguration to within a lat. 43°09′17″ N., long. 116°54′28″ W.; thence Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation 4.1-mile radius of the airport is to point of beginning. Administration, P.O. Box 20636, necessary due to the decommissioning Issued in Seattle, Washington, on October Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) of the Ponce VORTAC and cancellation 1, 2015. 305–6364. of the VOR approach, and for continued Christopher Ramirez, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: safety and management of IFR Manager, Operations Support Group, Western operations at the airport. Service Center. Authority for This Rulemaking [FR Doc. 2015–25991 Filed 10–15–15; 8:45 am] The FAA’s authority to issue rules Regulatory Notices and Analyses BILLING CODE 4910–13–P regarding aviation safety is found in The FAA has determined that this Title 49 of the United States Code. regulation only involves an established Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the body of technical regulations for which DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION authority of the FAA Administrator. frequent and routine amendments are Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, necessary to keep them operationally Federal Aviation Administration describes in more detail the scope of the current, is non-controversial and agency’s authority. This rulemaking is unlikely to result in adverse or negative 14 CFR Part 71 promulgated under the authority comments. It, therefore, (1) is not a described in Subtitle VII, Part, A, ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under [Docket No. FAA–2014–0967; Airspace Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a Docket No. 14–ASO–19] section, the FAA is charged with ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT Amendment of Class E Airspace; prescribing regulations to assign the use Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 Ponce, PR of airspace necessary to ensure the FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) safety of aircraft and the efficient use of does not warrant preparation of a AGENCY: Federal Aviation airspace. This regulation is within the Regulatory Evaluation as the anticipated Administration (FAA), DOT. scope of that authority as it amends impact is so minimal. Since this is a ACTION: Final rule. Class E airspace at Mercedita Airport, routine matter that only affects air traffic Ponce, PR. procedures and air navigation, it is SUMMARY: This action amends Class E certified that this rule, when asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES Airspace at Ponce, PR, as the PONCE History promulgated, does not have a significant VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range On July 16, 2015, the FAA published economic impact on a substantial Tactical Air Navigation Aid, (VORTAC) in the Federal Register a notice of number of small entities under the has been decommissioned, requiring proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. airspace redesign at Mercedita Airport. Class E surface area airspace at This action enhances the safety and Mercedita Airport, Ponce, PR, due to the Environmental Review management of Instrument Flight Rules decommissioning of the Ponce VORTAC The FAA has determined that this (IFR) operations at the airport. (80 FR 42068). Interested parties were action qualifies for categorical exclusion VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:45 Oct 15, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\16OCR1.SGM 16OCR1

62450 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 200 / Friday, October 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations under the National Environmental DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION authority of the FAA Administrator. Policy Act in accordance with FAA Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, Order 1050.1E, ‘‘Environmental Federal Aviation Administration describes in more detail the scope of the Impacts: Policies and Procedures,’’ agency’s authority. This rulemaking is paragraph 311a. This airspace action is 14 CFR Part 71 promulgated under the authority not expected to cause any potentially [Docket No. FAA–2015–2270; Airspace described in Subtitle VII, Part A, significant environmental impacts, and Docket No. 12–AWP–11] Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that no extraordinary circumstances exist section, the FAA is charged with that warrant preparation of an Establishment of Class E Airspace, prescribing regulations to assign the use environmental assessment. Cottonwood, AZ of airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71: AGENCY: Federal Aviation airspace. This regulation is within the Administration (FAA), DOT. scope of that authority as it establishes Airspace, Incorporation by reference, ACTION: Final rule. controlled airspace at Cottonwood, AZ. Navigation (air). SUMMARY: This action establishes Class History Adoption of the Amendment E airspace at Cottonwood Airport, On August 5, 2015, the FAA Cottonwood, AZ, to accommodate new published in the Federal Register a In consideration of the foregoing, the Standard Instrument Approach notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) Federal Aviation Administration Procedures (SIAP) at the airport. The amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows: to establish Class E airspace extending FAA found establishment of controlled upward from 700 feet above the surface airspace necessary for the safety and at Cottonwood Airport, Cottonwood, PART 71 —DESIGNATION OF CLASS management of Instrument Flight Rules AZ, (80 FR 46525). Interested parties A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; (IFR) operations. were invited to participate in this AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December rulemaking effort by submitting written REPORTING POINTS 10, 2015. The Director of the Federal comments on the proposal to the FAA. Register approves this incorporation by No comments were received. ■ 1. The authority citation for Part 71 reference action under title 1, Code of Class E airspace designation is continues to read as follows: Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to published in paragraph 6005, of FAA Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103, the annual revision of FAA Order Order 7400.9Z, dated August 6, 2015, 40113, 40120, E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 7400.9 and publication of conforming and effective September 15, 2015, which 1959–1963 Comp., p. 389. amendments. is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Z, part 71.1. The Class E airspace § 71.1 [Amended] designation listed in this document will Airspace Designations and Reporting ■ 2. The incorporation by reference in Points, and subsequent amendments can be published subsequently in the Order. 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9Z, be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/ Availability and Summary of Airspace Designations and Reporting air_traffic/publications/. For further Documents for Incorporation by Points, dated August 6, 2015, effective information, you can contact the Reference September 15, 2015, is amended as Airspace Policy and ATC Regulations This document amends FAA Order follows: Group, Federal Aviation 7400.9Z, airspace Designations and Administration, 800 Independence Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, Avenue SW., Washington, DC 29591; Designated as Surface Areas and effective September 15, 2015. FAA telephone: 202–267–8783. The Order is Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as * * * * * also available for inspection at the listed in the ADDRESSES section of this National Archives and Records ASO PR E2 Ponce, PR [Amended] document. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists Administration (NARA). For Mercedita Airport, PR Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, information on the availability of this (Lat. 18°00′30″ N., long. 66°33′47″ W.) air traffic service routes, and reporting material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, points. Within a 4.1-mile radius of Mercedita or go to http://www.archives.gov/ Airport. This Class E airspace is effective federal_register/code_of_federal- The Rule during the specific dates and times regulations/ibr_locations.html. This amendment to Title 14, Code of established in advance by a Notice to FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 Airmen. The effective date and time will Designations and Reporting Points, is establishes Class E airspace extending thereafter be continuously published in the published yearly and effective on upward from 700 feet above the surface Airport/Facility Directory. September 15. at Cottonwood Airport, Cottonwood, Issued in College Park, Georgia, on October FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: AZ. New standard instrument approach 2, 2015. Steve Haga, Federal Aviation procedures have been developed for IFR Gerald E. Lynch, Administration, Operations Support operations at the airport. The Class E Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Group, Western Service Center, 1601 airspace is established to within a 4- Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA, 98057; mile radius of Cottonwood Airport, with asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES Organization. telephone (425) 203–4500. a segment extending from the 4-mile [FR Doc. 2015–25853 Filed 10–15–15; 8:45 am] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: radius to 15 miles southeast of the airport. BILLING CODE 4910–13–P Authority for This Rulemaking The FAA’s authority to issue rules Regulatory Notices and Analyses regarding aviation safety is found in The FAA has determined that this Title 49 of the United States Code. regulation only involves an established Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the body of technical regulations for which VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:45 Oct 15, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\16OCR1.SGM 16OCR1


Document Created: 2015-12-14 15:23:55
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 15:23:55
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesEffective 0901 UTC, December 10, 2015. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.
ContactJohn Fornito, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-6364.
FR Citation80 FR 62449 
CFR AssociatedAirspace; Incorporation by Reference and Navigation (air)
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