83 FR 39584 - Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport, MS

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 155 (August 10, 2018)

This action amends Class D airspace, and Class E surface airspace, in addition to removing the NOTAM part-time status from Class E airspace designated as an extension, and amending Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, (formerly Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport), Gulfport, MS. The geographic coordinates for these airports and the Keesler TACAN navigation aid are adjusted in the associated Class D and E airspace to match the FAA's aeronautical database. Also, this action replaces the outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with the term ``Chart Supplement'' in the Class D and Class E surface area legal descriptions. This action enhances the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 155 (Friday, August 10, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39584-39586]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17088]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0865; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASO-19]
RIN-2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Biloxi, MS, and 
Gulfport, MS

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule

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

SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace, and Class E surface 
airspace, in addition to removing the NOTAM part-time status from Class 
E airspace designated as an extension, and amending Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Keesler Air Force 
Base (AFB), Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, 
(formerly Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport), Gulfport, MS. The 
geographic coordinates for these airports and the Keesler TACAN 
navigation aid are adjusted in the associated Class D and E airspace to 
match the FAA's aeronautical database. Also, this action replaces the 
outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with the term ``Chart 
Supplement'' in the Class D and Class E surface area legal 
descriptions. This action enhances the safety and management of 
instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, November 8, 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 Ave., 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

[[Page 39585]]

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 and Class E airspace at Keesler AFB, 
Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Gulfport, MS, to 
support IFR operations at these airports.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (83 FR 8208; February 26, 2018) for Docket No. FAA-2017-0865 
to amend Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, Class E airspace 
designated as an extension to Class D surface area, and Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Keesler 
AFB, Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.
    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 and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 
5000, 6002, 6004, 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 part 71.1. The Class D and 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 D airspace, and Class E surface area 
airspace, in addition to removing the NOTAM part-time status from Class 
E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area, and 
amending Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above 
the surface at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport-Biloxi 
International Airport (formerly Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport, 
Gulfport, MS.
    This action also amends the geographic coordinates of these 
airports and the Keesler TACAN navigation aid in the noted airspace 
classes to be in concert with the FAA's aeronautical database.
    Additionally, this action notes the airport name change to 
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport from Gulfport-Biloxi Regional 
Airport.
    Finally, this action makes an editorial change to the Class D and 
Class E surface area airspace legal descriptions replacing ``Airport/
Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'' for Keesler AFB, and 
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.
    Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in 
Paragraph 5000, 6002, 6004, 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 D and E airspace 
designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order.

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).

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 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO MS D Biloxi, MS [Amended]

Keesler AFB, MS
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'38'' N, long. 88[deg]55'28'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Keesler AFB, excluding 
the portion west of long. 89[deg]00'00'' W. 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.
* * * * *

ASO MS D Gulfport, MS [Amended]

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, MS
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'26'' N, long. 89[deg]04'12'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Gulfport-Biloxi 
International Airport; excluding that portion of airspace within the 
Biloxi, MS, Class D 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.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Area Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO MS E2 Biloxi, MS [Amended]

Keesler AFB, MS
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'38'' N, long. 88[deg]55'28'' W)

    Within a 4.2-mile radius of Keesler AFB, excluding the portion 
west of long. 89[deg]00'00'' W. This Class E 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.

[[Page 39586]]

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a 
Class D Surface Area.

* * * * *

ASO MS E4 Biloxi, MS [Amended]

Keesler AFB, MS
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'38'' N, long. 88[deg]55'28'' W)
Keesler TACAN
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'26'' N, long. 88[deg]55'47'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.4 miles 
each side of the Keesler TACAN 204[deg] radial, extending from the 
4.2-mile radius of Keesler AFB to 6 miles southwest of the TACAN.
* * * * *

ASO MS E4 Gulfport, MS [Amended]

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, MS
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'26'' N, long. 89[deg]04'12'' W)
Gulfport VORTAC
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'25'' N, long. 89[deg]04'36'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3.3 miles 
each side of Gulfport VORTAC 130[deg] and 322[deg] radials, 
extending from the 4.5-mile radius of Gulfport-Biloxi International 
Airport to 7 miles southeast and northwest of the VORTAC; excluding 
that portion within the Biloxi, MS, Class D and E airspace areas.

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

* * * * *

ASO MS E5 Gulfport, MS [Amended]

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, MS
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'26'' N, long. 89[deg]04'12'' W)
Keesler AFB
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'38'' N, long. 88[deg]55'28'' W)
Keesler TACAN
    (Lat. 30[deg]24'26'' N, long. 88[deg]55'47'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport and 
within a 6.5-mile radius of Keesler AFB and within 2 miles each side 
of Keesler TACAN 204[deg] radial, extending from the 6.5-mile radius 
to 10.6 miles southwest of the TACAN.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on August 1, 2018.
Ryan W. Almasy,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2018-17088 Filed 8-9-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P