82 FR 44511 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Brainerd, MN

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 184 (September 25, 2017)

This action modifies Class E airspace extending up to 700 feet above the surface at Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (formerly Brainerd-Crow Wing County Regional Airport), Brainerd, MN. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Brainerd (BRD) VHF omnidirectional radio range tactical air navigation aid (VORTAC), and cancellation of the VOR approach. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport and the airport name in the Class E airspace. Additionally, an editorial change is made to the Class E surface area airspace legal description replacing Airport/ Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44511-44512]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20330]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0188; Airspace Docket No. 17-AGL-8]


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Brainerd, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E airspace extending up to 700 feet 
above the surface at Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (formerly 
Brainerd-Crow Wing County Regional Airport), Brainerd, MN. Airspace 
reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Brainerd 
(BRD) VHF omnidirectional radio range tactical air navigation aid 
(VORTAC), and cancellation of the VOR approach. This action also 
updates the geographic coordinates of the airport and the airport name 
in the Class E airspace. Additionally, an editorial change is made to 
the Class E surface area airspace legal description replacing Airport/
Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 7, 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 7400.11B, 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 National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11B 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: Walter Tweedy, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support

[[Page 44512]]

Group, Central Service Center, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone (817) 222-5900.

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 Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, 
Brainerd, MN, to support instrument flight rules operations at the 
airport.

History

    The FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) (82 FR 22091, May 12, 2017) Docket No. FAA-2017-0188 
to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface and associated Class E airspace at Brainerd Lakes Regional 
Airport, Brainerd, MN. An editorial correction is made to the heading 
for para 6002, removing excess language. 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 and 
6005 respectfully of FAA Order 7400.11B, dated August 3, 2017, and 
effective September 15, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 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 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 
2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B 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 modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface within a 7.1-mile (from a 7.9-mile) radius of Brainerd 
Lakes Regional Airport (formerly Brainerd-Crow Wing County Regional 
Airport), MN, with a segment extending 2 miles each side of the 
233[deg] bearing extending from the 7.1-mile radius to 9.1 miles 
southwest of the airport.
    Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of 
the Brainerd VORTAC and cancellation of the VOR approaches, and for the 
safety and management of the standard instrument approach procedures 
for IFR operations at the airport. This action also updates the 
geographic coordinates of the airport.
    Additionally, this action replaces the outdated term Airport/
Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in Class E surface 
area airspace, as well as updates the airport name from Brainerd-Crow 
Wing County Regional Airport to Brainerd Lakes Regional 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 7400.11B, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and 
effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:
* * * * *

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AGL MN E2 Brainerd, MN [Amended]

Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, MN
    (Lat. 46[deg]24'15'' N., long. 94[deg]08'02'' W.)

    Within a 4.3-mile radius of Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport. 
This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates 
and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective dates and times will thereafter be continuously published 
in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Extending Upward From 700 Feet or 
More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

AGL MN E5 Brainerd, MN [Amended]

Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, MN
    (Lat. 46[deg]24'15'' N., long. 94[deg]08'02'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.1-mile radius of Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, MN and 
within 2 miles each side of the 233[deg] bearing extending from the 
7.1-mile radius to 9.1 miles southwest of the airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on September 14, 2017.
Vonnie Royal,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2017-20330 Filed 9-22-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P