82 FR 24241 - Amendment of Class D Airspace; Kingsville, TX

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 101 (May 26, 2017)

This action amends the legal description of Class D airspace extending up to 2,500 feet above the surface at Kingsville Naval Air Station (NAS), Kingsville, TX. This action is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Kingsville radio beacon (RBN), and cancellation of the RBN approach, and enhances the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of Kingsville Naval Air Station, Kingsville, TX, to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 101 (Friday, May 26, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24241-24242]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10429]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9511; Airspace Docket No. 16-ASW-20]


Amendment of Class D Airspace; Kingsville, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the legal description of Class D airspace 
extending up to 2,500 feet above the surface at Kingsville Naval Air 
Station (NAS), Kingsville, TX. This action is necessary due to the 
decommissioning of the Kingsville radio beacon (RBN), and cancellation 
of the RBN approach, and enhances the safety and management of 
instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action 
also updates the geographic coordinates of Kingsville Naval Air 
Station, Kingsville, TX, to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical 
database.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, September 14, 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 online 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

[[Page 24242]]

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: Ron Laster, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Contract Support, Operations Support Group, Central 
Service Center, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 
(817) 222-5879.

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 controlled airspace at Kingsville NAS, Kingsville, TX.

History

    On March 27, 2017, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to modify Class D airspace at 
Kingsville NAS, Kingsville, TX (82 FR 15172). 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 D airspace designations are published in paragraph 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 designation 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

    The FAA is finalizing this amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by modifying Class D airspace extending up 
to and including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Kingsville 
NAS by removing the area within two miles each side of the 200 degree 
bearing from the Kingsville RBN extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 
4.9 miles south of the airport. This action also updates the geographic 
coordinates of the airport to be in concert with the FAA's aeronautical 
database.
    Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of 
the RBN and cancellation of the RBN approach, and enhances the safety 
and management of standard instrument approach procedures for 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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule, when promulgated, would 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.

List 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 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 7400.11A, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and 
effective September 15, 2016, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6000 Class D Airspace Areas.

* * * * *

ASW TX D Kingsville, TX [Amended]

Kingsville Naval Air Station (NAS), TX
    (Lat. 27[deg]30'16'' N., long. 97[deg]48'30'' W.)
Kingsville TACAN
    (Lat. 27[deg]29'57'' N., long. 97[deg]48'20'' W.)

    That airspace extends upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Kingsville NAS, and 
within 1.3 miles each side of the 191[deg] radial of the Kingsville 
TACAN extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 4.9 miles south of the 
airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on May 11, 2017.
Walter Tweedy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2017-10429 Filed 5-25-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P