[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 115 (Thursday, June 15, 1995)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 31425-31426] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-14653] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 14 CFR Part 73 [Airspace Docket No. 93-AWP-8] Proposed Modification of Restricted Areas R-2303A and R-2303B, and Establishment of R-2303C, Fort Huachuca, AZ
Agency
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
Action
Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
This supplemental notice proposes to amend special use airspace at Fort Huachuca, AZ, as proposed in a prior notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend Restricted Area R-2303A to exclude the Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport from the restricted area and provide airspace for visual flight rules (VFR) access to the airport when R-2303A is in use. Based upon comments received in response to the NPRM the FAA is considering increasing the airport exclusion and VFR access to the airport by increasing the ceiling from 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) to 7,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) (2,284 AGL). These changes are proposed to accommodate increased training requirements and to return unneeded special use airspace to the National Airspace System (NAS).
Dates
Comments must be received on or before June 30, 1995.
Addresses
Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air Traffic Division, AWP-500, Docket No. 93-AWP-8, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 92007, Worldway Postal Center, Los Angeles, CA 90009. The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of the Chief Counsel, Room 916, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division.
For Further Information Contact
James R. Robinson, Military Operations Program Office (ATM-420), Office of Air Traffic System Management, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20591; telephone: (202) 493-4050.
Supplementary Information
Comments Invited
Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. Communications should identify the airspace docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 93-AWP-8.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter. Send comments on environmental and land use aspects to: Commander, U.S. Army Garrison, Attn: Mr. John Murray ATZS-EHB, Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613-6000. All communications received on or before the specified closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available for examination in the Rules Docket both before and after the closing date for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.
Availability of NPRM's
Any person may obtain a copy of this Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-220, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-3485. Communications must identify the notice number of this SNPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, which describes the application procedure.
Background
The FAA previously published an NPRM proposing to amend R-2303B by relocating the northern boundary 3 miles south of its existing position. This would better accommodate hang gliding activity that takes place just outside of the northwest corner of existing R-2303B. R-2303B would also be subdivided to designate the southeastern section as a separate restricted area, R-2303C. This NPRM also proposed to lower the floor of R-2303B from 15,000 feet MSL to 8,000 feet MSL, excluding that airspace within R-2303A when activated, in order to accommodate unmanned aerial vehicle training profiles. This amendment of R-2303B prevents the airspace between 8,000 and 15,000 feet within the lateral confines of R-2303A from simultaneously being reflected in both restricted areas, R-2303A and R-2303B. The ceiling of R-2303B would be lowered from FL 450 to FL 300. The U.S. Army has determined that there is no longer a requirement for restricted airspace above FL 300, therefore, that airspace would be returned to the NAS. Lastly, the times of designation for R-2303A and R-2303B would be reduced from ``Monday-Saturday, 0700-1600 local time; other times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance,'' to ``Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.'' Activation of R-2303C would be intermittent by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance. Designation of R-2303C is proposed to accommodate hang gliding activities that occur just outside of the southeastern corner of existing R-2303B.
The Proposal
The FAA is considering an amendment to part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 73) to amend R-2303A, R-2303B, and establish R-2303C at Fort Huachuca, AZ. The FAA published an earlier NPRM concerning these restricted areas on July 21, 1994 (59 FR 37188). As a result of comments received in response to the NPRM, the FAA is considering increasing the ceiling of the airport exclusion and VFR access corridor at the Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport. R- 2303A would be amended to exclude from the restricted area the airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL, within a 3-nautical-mile radius of the Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport. The airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within 1-nautical-mile either side of U.S. Highway 90 would also be excluded. This would provide VFR access to the airport when R-2303A is in use. Comments received in response to the NPRM and this SNPRM will be addressed in the final disposition of the rule. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83. Section 73.23 of part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations was republished in FAA Order 7400.8B dated March 9, 1994. The FAA has determined that this proposed 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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Environmental Review
An environmental review of the proposal will be conducted by the U.S. Army and the FAA prior to an FAA final decision on the proposal. The results of the review will be addressed in any subsequent rulemaking action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73
Airspace, Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 73 as proposed in the Federal Register on July 21, 1994, (59 FR 37188; July 21, 1994) as follows:
PART 73--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 73 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 14 CFR 11.69.
2. Section 73.23 is amended as follows:
Sec. 73.23 [Amended]
R-2303A Fort Huachuca, AZ [Revised]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.40'40'' N., long. 110 deg.11'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.08'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.22'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.33'00'' N., long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., long. 110 deg.41'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.43'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.38'30'' N., long. 110 deg.42'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.38'30'' N., long. 110 deg.39'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00'' N., long. 110 deg.33'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00'' N., long. 110 deg.12'02'' W.; to the point of beginning.
Altitudes. Surface to 15,000 feet MSL, excluding the airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within a 3-nautical-mile radius of the Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport, AZ, and excluding the airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within 1- nautical-mile either side of U.S. Highway 90. Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance. Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC. Using agency. U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ. R-2303B Fort Huachuca, AZ [Revised] Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.45'00'' N., long. 110 deg.20'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00''N., long. 110 deg.12'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.40'40'' N., long. 110 deg.11'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.08'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.22'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.33'00'' N., long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00'' N., long. 110 deg.45'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.45'00'' N., long. 110 deg.45'52'' W.; to the point of beginning.
Altitudes. 8,000 feet MSL to FL 300, excluding that airspace within R-2303A when activated. Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance. Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC. Using agency, U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
R-2303C Fort Huachuca, AZ [New]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.35'00'' N., long. 110 deg.00'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00'' N., long. 110 deg.00'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat. 31029'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.33'00'' N., long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.22'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.08'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.40'40'' N., long. 110 deg.11'02'' W.; to the point of beginning.
Altitudes. 15,000 feet MSL to FL 300. Time of designation. Intermittent by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance. Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC. Using agency. U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 7, 1995. Harold W. Becker, Manager, Airspace--Rules and Aeronautical Information Division. [FR Doc. 95-14653 Filed 6-14-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U