81 FR 90976 - Amendment of Class D Airspace for St. Petersburg, FL

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 242 (December 16, 2016)

This action amends the ceiling of the Class D Airspace area at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, St. Petersburg, FL. This would allow the Tampa International Airport Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) to carry out Letter of Agreement procedures between St. Petersburg Air Traffic Control Tower and Tampa Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) for the safety and management of standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs), and for Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations in the area.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 90976-90977]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29634]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9375; Airspace Docket No. 16-ASO-16]


Amendment of Class D Airspace for St. Petersburg, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action amends the ceiling of the Class D Airspace area at 
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, St. Petersburg, FL. 
This would allow the Tampa International Airport Air Traffic Control 
Tower (ATCT) to carry out Letter of Agreement procedures between St. 
Petersburg Air Traffic Control Tower and Tampa Terminal Radar Approach 
Control (TRACON) for the safety and management of standard instrument 
approach procedures (SIAPs), and for Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) 
operations in the area.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, January 5, 2017. 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 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on line at http://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. 
The Order is also available for inspection at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of 
FAA Order 7400.11A at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, 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: 

[[Page 90977]]

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 D airspace at St. Petersburg-Clearwater 
International Airport, St. Petersburg, FL.

History

    In a review of the airspace, the FAA found the Class D airspace 
description for St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, St. 
Petersburg, FL, published in FAA Order 7400.11A, describes the ceiling 
as extending upward from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL. 
The Tampa International Airport Class B airspace area has control of 
aircraft operating at and above 1,800 feet MSL in the St. Petersburg, 
FL, Class D airspace area.
    The FAA is lowering the Class D airspace area to 1,600 feet MSL to 
avoid the overlap of controlled airspace between the two airports. To 
avoid confusion on the part of pilots overflying the St. Petersburg, 
FL, area, the FAA finds that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b) are impracticable and contrary to the public interest. To be 
consistent with the FAA's safety mandate when an unsafe condition 
exists, the FAA finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making 
this amendment effective in less than 30 days to promote the safe and 
efficient handling of air traffic in the area.
    Class D airspace designations are published in paragraphs 5000 of 
FAA Order 7400.11A dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 
2016, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Class 
D 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 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 
2016. FAA Order 7400.11A is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11A lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by lowering the ceiling of the Class D airspace area from 2,500 
feet MSL to upward from the surface to and including 1,600 feet MSL at 
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, St. Petersburg, FL. 
The Letter of Agreement between Tampa TRACON and St. Petersburg-
Clearwater International Airport ATCT, established February 13, 2015, 
states that Tampa TRACON shall control aircraft operating at or above 
1,800 feet MSL in the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport 
Class D airspace area. This airspace change eliminates confusion on the 
part of pilots operating aircraft at or above 1,600 feet MSL in the St. 
Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport Class D airspace area. 
Also, an adjustment to the geographic coordinates of St. Petersburg-
Clearwater International Airport is made to be in concert with the 
FAA's aeronautical database.

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 5-6.5a. 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 7400.11A, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, 
effective September 15, 2016, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO FL D St. Petersburg, FL [Amended]

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, FL
    (Lat. 27[deg]54'31'' N., long. 82[deg]41'11'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
1,600 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of St. Petersburg-Clearwater 
International Airport; excluding that portion within the Tampa 
International Airport, FL, Class B airspace area. This Class D 
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 (previously called Airport/Facility Directory).

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on December 1, 2016.
Ryan W. Almasy,
Manager, Operations Support Group Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2016-29634 Filed 12-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P