83_FR_29101 83 FR 28980 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Altoona, PA

83 FR 28980 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Altoona, PA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 121 (June 22, 2018)

Page Range28980-28981
FR Document2018-13373

This action amends amend Class E surface area airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface at Altoona-Blair County Airport, Altoona, PA. This action accommodates airspace reconfiguration due to the decommissioning of Altoona VHF omnidirectional range navigation system (VOR) and cancellation of the VOR approaches. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 121 (Friday, June 22, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 121 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28980-28981]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13373]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0129; Airspace Docket No. 18-AEA-4]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Altoona, PA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends amend Class E surface area airspace and 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the 
surface at Altoona-Blair County Airport, Altoona, PA. This action 
accommodates airspace reconfiguration due to the decommissioning of 
Altoona VHF omnidirectional range navigation system (VOR) and 
cancellation of the VOR approaches. Controlled airspace is necessary 
for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) 
operations at this airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, September 13, 2018. 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 https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/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, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; 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 Altoona-Blair County Airport, Altoona, 
PA, to ensure the efficient use of airspace within the National 
Airspace System.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (83 FR 11446, March 15, 2018) for Docket No. FAA-2018-0129 to 
amend Class E surface area airspace, and Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Altoona-Blair County Airport, 
Altoona, PA. 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, respectively, 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 action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by amending Class E surface area airspace, and Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface due to the 
decommissioning of the Altoona VOR and cancelation of associated 
approaches at Altoona-Blair County Airport, Altoona, PA.
    The Class E surface area airspace is amended to within a 4.7-mile 
(from a 4-mile) radius of the airport, with a segment 1.0-mile each 
side of the 026[deg] bearing from the airport to 8.7 miles northeast. 
The Altoona VOR segment is removed.
    The Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface is amended to within an 11.2-mile (from a 6.5-mile) radius of 
the airport. These changes enhance the 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. 
Therefore, this regulation: (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).

[[Page 28981]]

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 Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated August 3, 2017, effective September 15, 2017, is amended 
as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Area Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA PA E2 Altoona, PA [Amended]

Altoona-Blair County Airport, PA
    (Lat. 40[deg]17'47'' N, long. 78[deg]19'12'' W)

    Within a 4.7-mile radius of Altoona-Blair County Airport, and 
within 1.0 mile each side of the 026[deg] bearing from the airport 
to 8.7 miles northeast of the airport.

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

* * * * *

AEA PA E5 Altoona, PA [Amended]

Altoona-Blair County Airport, PA
    (Lat. 40[deg]17'47'' N, long. 78[deg]19'12'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 11.2-mile radius of Altoona-Blair County Airport.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on June 14, 2018.
Ken Brissenden,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2018-13373 Filed 6-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

28980 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Issued in Washington, DC, on June 13, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John The Rule 2018. Fornito, Operations Support Group, Scott J. Gardner, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation This action amends Title 14 Code of Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group. Administration, 1701 Columbia Avenue, Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by [FR Doc. 2018–13376 Filed 6–21–18; 8:45 am] College Park, GA 30337; telephone (404) amending Class E surface area airspace, BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 305–6364. and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: due to the decommissioning of the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Authority for This Rulemaking Altoona VOR and cancelation of The FAA’s authority to issue rules associated approaches at Altoona-Blair Federal Aviation Administration regarding aviation safety is found in County Airport, Altoona, PA. Title 49 of the United States Code. The Class E surface area airspace is 14 CFR Part 71 Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the amended to within a 4.7-mile (from a 4- [Docket No. FAA–2018–0129; Airspace authority of the FAA Administrator. mile) radius of the airport, with a Docket No. 18–AEA–4] Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, segment 1.0-mile each side of the 026° RIN 2120–AA66 describes in more detail the scope of the bearing from the airport to 8.7 miles agency’s authority. This rulemaking is northeast. The Altoona VOR segment is Amendment of Class E Airspace; promulgated under the authority removed. Altoona, PA described in Subtitle VII, Part A, The Class E airspace area extending Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that upward from 700 feet above the surface AGENCY: Federal Aviation section, the FAA is charged with Administration (FAA), DOT. is amended to within an 11.2-mile (from prescribing regulations to assign the use a 6.5-mile) radius of the airport. These ACTION: Final rule. of airspace necessary to ensure the changes enhance the safety and safety of aircraft and the efficient use of SUMMARY: This action amends amend management of IFR operations at the airspace. This regulation is within the Class E surface area airspace and Class airport. scope of that authority as it amends E airspace extending upward from 700 Class E airspace at Altoona-Blair County Regulatory Notices and Analyses feet or more above the surface at Airport, Altoona, PA, to ensure the Altoona-Blair County Airport, Altoona, efficient use of airspace within the The FAA has determined that this PA. This action accommodates airspace National Airspace System. regulation only involves an established reconfiguration due to the body of technical regulations for which decommissioning of Altoona VHF History frequent and routine amendments are omnidirectional range navigation The FAA published a notice of necessary to keep them operationally system (VOR) and cancellation of the proposed rulemaking in the Federal current. Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is VOR approaches. Controlled airspace is Register (83 FR 11446, March 15, 2018) not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ necessary for the safety and for Docket No. FAA–2018–0129 to under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not management of instrument flight rules amend Class E surface area airspace, a ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT (IFR) operations at this airport. and Class E airspace extending upward Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, September from 700 feet above the surface at FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) 13, 2018. The Director of the Federal Altoona-Blair County Airport, Altoona, does not warrant preparation of a Register approves this incorporation by PA. Interested parties were invited to regulatory evaluation as the anticipated reference action under title 1, Code of participate in this rulemaking effort by impact is so minimal. Since this is a Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to submitting written comments on the routine matter that only affects air traffic the annual revision of FAA Order proposal to the FAA. No comments procedures and air navigation, it is 7400.11 and publication of conforming were received. certified that this rule, when amendments. Class E airspace designations are promulgated, does not have a significant ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11B, published in paragraph 6002 and 6005, economic impact on a substantial Airspace Designations and Reporting respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11B number of small entities under the Points, and subsequent amendments can dated August 3, 2017, and effective criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/ September 15, 2017, which is air_traffic/publications/. For further incorporated by reference in 14 CFR Environmental Review information, you can contact the 71.1. The Class E airspace designations The FAA has determined that this Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation listed in this document will be action qualifies for categorical exclusion Administration, 800 Independence published subsequently in the Order. Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; under the National Environmental Availability and Summary of Policy Act in accordance with FAA telephone: (202) 267–8783. The Order is Documents for Incorporation by Order 1050.1F, ‘‘Environmental also available for inspection at the Reference Impacts: Policies and Procedures,’’ National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For This document amends FAA Order paragraph 5–6.5a. This airspace action information on the availability of FAA 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and is not expected to cause any potentially Order 7400.11B at NARA, call (202) Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, significant environmental impacts, and 741–6030, or go to https:// and effective September 15, 2017. FAA no extraordinary circumstances exist daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ Order 7400.11B is publicly available as that warrant preparation of an ibr-locations.html. listed in the ADDRESSES section of this environmental assessment. FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace document. FAA Order 7400.11B lists Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71 Designations and Reporting Points, is Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, published yearly and effective on air traffic service routes, and reporting Airspace, Incorporation by reference, September 15. points. Navigation (air). VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:09 Jun 21, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\22JNR1.SGM 22JNR1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 28981 Adoption of the Amendment DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 5601J, and updates the using agency information for each of the restricted In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration areas at Fort Sill, OK. Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows: 14 CFR Part 73 History R–5601F is an irregularly shaped PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, [Docket No. FAA–2018–0470; Airspace restricted area in the Fort Sill, OK, Docket No. 18–ASW–2] B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR restricted area complex used to contain TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND RIN 2120–AA66 hazardous activities. It connects the REPORTING POINTS Military Operations Areas located to the Modification to Restricted Area R– north with the R–5601 gunnery ranges ■ 1. The authority citation for part 71 5601F and Establishment of Restricted located to the south and stretches the Area R–5601J; Fort Sill, OK entire length of the Fort Sill restricted continues to read as follows: AGENCY: Federal Aviation area complex laterally from west to east, Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103, from 500 feet above ground level (AGL) 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, Administration (FAA), DOT. to Flight Level 400 in altitude. The 1959–1963 Comp., p. 389. ACTION: Final rule, technical United States (U.S.) Army normally amendment. § 71.1 [Amended] trains in the eastern restricted areas, R– SUMMARY: This action amends the 5601A, R–5601B, and R–5601F, while ■ 2. The incorporation by reference in restricted areas at Fort Sill, OK, to the U.S. Air Force normally trains in the 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation subdivide R–5601F into two subareas, western areas, R–5601C, R–5601D, R– Administration Order 7400.11B, R–5601F and R–5601J, make a minor 5601E, R–5601F, and R–5601G. When Airspace Designations and Reporting correction to one boundary point in R– the using agency only requires the Points, dated August 3, 2017, effective 5601G, and to update and standardize eastern areas to support its hazardous September 15, 2017, is amended as the using agency information for each training activities, it results in the R– follows: restricted area in the Fort Sill restricted 5601F restricted area being activated area complex. The FAA is taking this across the entire northern boundary of Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Area action to allow for more efficient use of the restricted areas being activated, and Airspace. the airspace during periods when creates a 14-mile extension of restricted military activities only require the area airspace that is not needed for the * * * * * eastern portions of the restricted area training activities being conducted. AEA PA E2 Altoona, PA [Amended] complex. The airspace modifications are The activation of R–5601F, and the Altoona-Blair County Airport, PA fully contained within the existing unintended consequences of the 14-mile (Lat. 40°17′47″ N, long. 78°19′12″ W) lateral and vertical boundaries of the extension of restricted area airspace Fort Sill, OK, restricted airspace. The extending westward beyond the eastern Within a 4.7-mile radius of Altoona-Blair Fort Sill restricted areas, primarily County Airport, and within 1.0 mile each using agency information update to each impacts the high altitude commercial air side of the 026° bearing from the airport to of the restricted areas in the Fort Sill carriers inbound to the Dallas-Fort 8.7 miles northeast of the airport. complex is editorial only. Worth metroplex area. Routing aircraft Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, to overfly the R–5601F restricted area Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More September 13, 2018. results in descent delays that take Above the Surface of the Earth. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: aircraft off their optimized descent * * * * * Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy Group, profiles, and vectoring aircraft to Office of Airspace Services, Federal circumnavigate the R–5601F restricted AEA PA E5 Altoona, PA [Amended] Aviation Administration, 800 area laterally to the west adds miles and Altoona-Blair County Airport, PA Independence Avenue SW, Washington, flight time to each aircraft. Additionally, (Lat. 40°17′47″ N, long. 78°19′12″ W) DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783. these mitigations to overcome the That airspace extending upward from 700 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: unneeded extension of the R–5601F feet above the surface within an 11.2-mile restricted area when only the eastern Authority for This Rulemaking radius of Altoona-Blair County Airport. Fort Sill restricted areas are required The FAA’s authority to issue rules also increases air traffic complexity and Issued in College Park, Georgia, on June 14, regarding aviation safety is found in controller workload. 2018. Title 49 of the United States Code. In December 2017, the FAA supported Ken Brissenden, Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the a U.S. Army laser air defense exercise Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, authority of the FAA Administrator. conducted at Fort Sill, OK, using Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, existing permanent restricted areas and Organization. describes in more detail the scope of the two temporary restricted areas [FR Doc. 2018–13373 Filed 6–21–18; 8:45 am] agency’s authority. This rulemaking is established overhead the Fort Sill BILLING CODE 4910–13–P promulgated under the authority restricted area complex. As part of a described in Subtitle VII, Part A, lessons learned review of the exercise, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that the FAA determined that subdividing section, the FAA is charged with the existing R–5601F restricted area prescribing regulations to assign the use daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES laterally into two restricted areas, of the airspace necessary to ensure the activated independently, would lessen safety of aircraft and the efficient use of aeronautical impacts to air traffic airspace. This regulation is within the operating in the central United States. scope of that authority as it amends Further, subdividing the existing R– existing restricted area R–5601F by 5601F laterally into two separate subdividing it into R–5601F and R– restricted areas enhances the efficient VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:09 Jun 21, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\22JNR1.SGM 22JNR1


Document Created: 2018-11-06 09:50:36
Document Modified: 2018-11-06 09:50:36
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, September 13, 2018. 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.
ContactJohn Fornito, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; telephone (404) 305-6364.
FR Citation83 FR 28980 
RIN Number2120-AA66
CFR AssociatedAirspace; Incorporation by Reference and Navigation (Air)
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