[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2887-2888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1230]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 97-ACE-32]
Amendment to Class E Airspace; Columbus, NE
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This action amends the description of Class E airspace area at
Columbus, NE. The current description indicates part-time operation for
the Class E airspace area for Columbus Municipal Airport, Columbus, NE.
The actual hours of operation for the Class E airspace area are
continuous. The Class E airspace area description at Columbus, NE, is
revised to indicate that the area is in effect continuously. The
intended effect of this amendment is to indicate that the Class E
airspace area is in effect continuously and to facilitate separation of
aircraft operations under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). An editorial
revision to reflect a change in the Airport Reference Point (ARP) is
included.
DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, April 20, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before February 19, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the rule in triplicate to: Manager,
Airspace Branch, Air Traffic Division, ACE-520, Federal Aviation
Administration, Docket Number 97-ACE-32, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas
City, MO 64106.
The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Regional
Counsel for the Central Region at the same address between 9:00 a.m.
and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
An informal docket may also be examined during normal business
hours in the Air Traffic Division at the same address listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathy Randolph, Air Traffic Division, Airspace Branch, ACE-520C,
Federal Aviation Administration, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas City, MO
64106; telephone: (816) 426-3408.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 (part 71)
to revise the description of the Class E airspace area at Columbus, NE,
by removing the statement which indicates part-time status. The Class E
airspace area description does not reflect the actual hours of
operation, which are continuous. This action will correct the
description for Class E airspace area at Columbus, NE. The ARP
coordinates have been revised. The area is depicted on appropriate
aeronautical charts. Class E airspace surface areas are published in
paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9E, dated September 10, 1997, and
effective September 16, 1997, which is incorporated by reference in 14
CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document will
be published subsequently in the Order.
The Direct Final Rule Procedure
The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse
or negative comment and, therefore, is issuing it as a direct final
rule. Previous actions of this nature have not been controversial and
have not resulted in adverse comments or objections. The amendment will
enhance safety for all flight operations by designating an area where
VFR pilots may anticipate the presence of IFR aircraft at lower
altitudes, especially during inclement weather conditions. A greater
degree of safety is achieved by depicting the area on aeronautical
charts. Unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a written
notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment is received
within the comment period, the regulation will become effective on the
date specified above. After the close of the comment period, the FAA
will publish a document in the Federal Register indicating that no
adverse or negative comments were received and confirming the date on
which the final rule will become effective. If the FAA does receive,
within the comment period, an adverse or negative comment, or written
notice of intent to submit such a comment, a document withdrawing the
direct final rule will be published in the Federal Register, and a
notice of proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment
period.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn in light of
the comments received. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of this action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, aeronautical, environmental, and energy-related aspects of
the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments
submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for
comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A
report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the
substance of this action will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-ACE-32.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
[[Page 2888]]
Agency Findings
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For the reasons
discussed in the preamble, I certify that this regulation (1) is not a
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is
not a ``significant rule'' under Department of Transportation (DOT)
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact,
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part
71 as follows:
PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS
1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16,
1997, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area
for an airport
* * * * *
ACE NE E2 Columbus, NE [Revised]
Columbus Municipal Airport, NE
(Lat 41 deg.26'52''N., long. 97 deg.20'24''W.)
Columbus VOR/DME
(Lat 41 deg.27'00''N., long. 97 deg.20'27''W.)
Within a 4-mile radius of Columbus Municipal Airport and within
2.6 miles each side of the 157 deg. radial of the Columbus VOR/DME
extending from the 4-mile radius to 8.7 miles southeast of the VOR/
DME and within 2.6 miles each side of the 317 deg. radial of the
Columbus VOR/DME extending from the 4-mile radius to 7.4 miles
northwest of the VOR/DME and within 3.5 miles each side of the
360 deg. bearing from the Columbus Municipal Airport extending from
the 4-mile radius to 10.5 miles northwest of the airport.
* * * * *
Issued in Kansas City, MO, on November 13, 1997.
Christopher R. Blum,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division Central Region.
[FR Doc. 98-1230 Filed 1-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
