2017-00287. Amendment of Class E Airspace for the Following Wisconsin Towns; Antigo, WI; Ashland, WI; Black River Falls, WI; Cable Union, WI; Cumberland, WI; Eagle River, WI; Hayward, WI; and Wausau, WI; and Revocation of Class E Airspace; Wausau, WI

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Langlade County Airport, Antigo, WI; John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport, Ashland, WI; Black River Falls Area Airport, Black River Falls, WI; Cable Union Airport, Cable Union, WI; Cumberland Municipal Airport, Cumberland, WI; Eagle River Union Airport, Eagle River, WI; Sawyer County Airport, Hayward, WI; and Wausau Downtown Airport, Wausau, WI. Decommissioning of non-directional radio beacon (NDB), cancellation of NDB approaches, and implementation of area navigation (RNAV) procedures have made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the above airports. This action also removes Class E surface area airspace at Wausau Municipal Airport (Wausau Downtown Airport), Wausau, WI, as a review has determined that the airport no longer meets the requirements for this airspace. Additionally, the geographic coordinates at Langlade County Airport, John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport, Cumberland Municipal Airport, Eagle River Union Airport, and Wausau Downtown Airport (formerly Wausau Municipal Airport) are adjusted to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, April 27, 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: [phone]. The Order is also available for inspection at the 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:

Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone [phone].

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 extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Langlade County Airport, Antigo, WI; John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport, Ashland, WI; Black River Falls Area Airport, Black River Falls, WI; Cable Union Airport, Cable Union, WI; Cumberland Municipal Airport, Cumberland, WI; Eagle River Union Airport, Eagle River, WI; Sawyer County Airport, Hayward, WI; and Wausau Downtown Airport, Wausau, WI; and removes Class E surface area airspace at Wausau Downtown Airport (formerly Wausau Municipal Airport), Wausau, WI.

History

On August 11, 2016, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), (81 FR 53093) Docket No. FAA-2016-8557, to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Langlade County Airport, Antigo, WI; John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport, Ashland, WI; Black River Falls Area Airport, Black River Falls, WI; Cable Union Airport, Cable Union, WI; Cumberland Municipal Airport, Cumberland, WI; Eagle River Union Airport, Eagle River, WI; Sawyer County Airport, Hayward, WI; and Wausau Downtown Airport, Wausau, WI, and to remove Class E surface area airspace at Wausau Municipal Airport (Wausau Downtown Airport), Wausau, WI. 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 7400.11A, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Class E 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

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 at the following airports:

Within a 6.5-mile radius (increasing from the previous 6.4-mile radius) of Langlade County Airport, Antigo, WI, removing the extension to the north of the airport, and updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database;

Within a 7.0-mile radius (increasing from the previous 6.5-mile radius) of John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport, Ashland, WI, with an extension southwest of the airport from the 7.0-mile radius to 8.2 miles, removing extensions to the southwest and southeast of the airport, and updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database;

Within a 7.1-mile radius (increasing from the previous 6.4-mile radius) of Black River Falls Area Airport, Black River Falls, WI, with an extension southwest of the airport from the 7.1-mile radius to 11.7 miles, with an extension northeast of the airport from the 7.1-mile radius to 11.4 miles;

Within a 6.9-mile radius (increasing from the previous 6.4-mile radius) of Cable Union Airport, Cable Union, WI, and removing the extension to the southwest of the airport;

Within a 6.4-mile radius of Cumberland Municipal Airport, Cumberland, WI, with extensions from the 6.4-mile radius to 10.2 miles west and east; and updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database;

Within a 6.5-mile radius (reducing from the previous 6.6-mile radius) of Eagle River Union Airport, Eagle River, WI, with an extension southwest of the airport from the 6.5-mile radius to 9.2 miles, and updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database;

Within a 6.6-mile radius (increasing from the previous 6.5-mile radius) of Sawyer County Airport, Hayward, WI, with an extension northeast of the airport from the 6.6-mile radius to 8.5 miles;

And within a 6.8-mile radius (increasing from the previous 6.5-mile radius) of Wausau Downtown Airport, Wausau, WI, and updating the name and geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The Class E airspace designated as a surface area at Wausau Municipal Airport, Wausau, WI, is removed as the airport no longer meets the requirements for this airspace.

These airspace reconfigurations are necessary due to the decommissioning of NDBs, cancellation of NDB approaches, or implementation of RNAV standard instrument procedures at these airports. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of standard instrument approach procedures for IFR operations at these airports.

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 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 5-6.5.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.

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

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.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

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 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AGL WI E2 Wausau, WI [Removed]

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

* * * * *

AGL WI E5 Antigo, WI [Amended]

Langlade County Airport, WI

(Lat. 45°09′14″ N., long. 89°06′38″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.5-mile radius of Langlade County Airport.

AGL WI E5 Ashland, WI [Amended]

John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport, WI

(Lat. 46°32′55″ N., long. 90°55′08″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.0-mile radius of John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport, and within 2.9 miles each side of the 201° bearing from the airport extending from the 7.0-mile radius to 8.2 miles southwest of the airport.

* * * * *

AGL WI E5 Black River Falls, WI [Amended]

Black River Falls Area Airport, WI

(Lat. 44°15′03″ N., long. 90°51′19″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.1-mile radius of Black River Falls Area Airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 081° bearing from the airport extending from the 7.1-mile radius to 11.4 miles east of the airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 260° bearing from the airport extending from the 7.1-mile radius to 11.7 miles west of the airport.

* * * * *

AGL WI E5 Cable Union, WI [Amended]

Cable Union Airport, WI

(Lat. 46°11′42″ N., long. 91°14′54″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.9-mile radius of Cable Union Airport.

* * * * *

AGL WI E5 Cumberland, WI [Amended]

Cumberland Municipal Airport, WI

(Lat. 45°30′22″ N., long. 91°58′51″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.4-mile radius of Cumberland Municipal Airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 091° bearing from the airport extending from the 6.4-mile radius to 10.2 miles east of the airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 270° bearing from the airport extending from the 6.4-mile radius to 10.2 miles west of the airport.

* * * * *

AGL WI E5 Eagle River, WI [Amended]

Eagle River Union Airport, WI

(Lat. 45°55′56″ N., long. 89°16′06″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.5-mile radius of Eagle River Union Airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 225° bearing from the airport extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 9.2 miles southwest of the airport.

* * * * *

AGL WI E5 Hayward, WI [Amended]

Sawyer County Airport, WI

(Lat. 46°01′31″ N., long. 91°26′39″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.6-mile radius of Sawyer County Airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 025° bearing from the airport extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 8.5 miles northeast of the airport.

* * * * *

AGL WI E5 Wausau, WI [Amended]

Wausau Downtown Airport, WI

(Lat. 44°55′35″ N., long. 89°37′37″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.8-mile radius of Wausau Downtown Airport.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 28, 2016.

Thomas L. Lattimer,

Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.