2018-23399. Amendment of Class E Airspace, Augusta, GA, and Establishment of Class E Airspace, Waynesboro, GA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Augusta, GA, by recognizing the name change of Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field (formerly Augusta Regional at Bush Field Airport); removing Burke County Airport and Millen Airport from the airspace designation and establishing these two airports under Waynesboro, GA, designation; and updating the geographic coordinates of Daniel Field, Augusta, GA, and Millen Airport, Waynesboro, GA. This action accommodates airspace reconfiguration due to the decommissioning of the Millen non-directional radio beacon (NDB) and cancellation of the NDB approach at Millen Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, January 3, 2019. 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 7400.11C, 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 7400.11C at NARA, call [phone], 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 [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, at Augusta, GA, and establishes Class E airspace at Waynesboro, GA, to support airspace reconfiguration due to the decommissioning of the Millen non-directional radio beacon (NDB) and cancellation of the NDB approach at Millen Airport.

History

The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (83 FR 39384, August 9, 2018) for Docket No. FAA-2018-0369 to amend Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface, and establish Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface at Burke County Airport and Millen Airport, Waynesboro, GA as the Millen NDB has been decommissioned and the NDB approach cancelled.

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 6005, of FAA Order 7400.11C dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, 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 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018. FAA Order 7400.11C is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11C 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) amends part 71 by amending Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Augusta, GA, by recognizing the name change of Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field (formerly Augusta Regional at Bush Field Airport); removing Burke County Airport and Millen Airport from the airspace designation and establishing these two airports under Waynesboro, GA, designation due to the cancellation of the Millen NDB and cancellation of the associated approach; and updating the geographic coordinates of Daniel Field, Augusta, GA, to be in concert with the FAA's aeronautical database.

Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is established at Burke County Airport, Waynesboro, GA, within a 6.7-mile (increased from a 6.6-mile) radius of the airport.

Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is established at Millen airport within a 7.4-mile (increased from a 7.3-mile) radius of the airport. The geographic coordinates are adjusted to be in concert with the FAA's aeronautical database.

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. 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 5-6.5a. 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

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 Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

ASO GA E5 Augusta, GA [Amended]

Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, GA

(Lat. 33°22′12″ N, long. 81°57′52″ W)

Daniel Field

(Lat. 33°28′00″ N, long. 82°02′22″ W)

Emory NDB

(Lat. 33°27′46″ N, long. 81°59′49″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within an 8.6-mile radius of Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, and within 3.2 miles either side of the 168° bearing from the airport extending from the 8.6-mile radius to 12.5 miles south of the airport, and within a 7-mile radius of Daniel Field, and within 8 miles west and 4 miles east of the 349° bearing from the Emory NDB extending from the 7-mile radius to 16 miles north of the Emory NDB.

ASO GA E5 Waynesboro, GA [New]

Burke County Airport, GA

(Lat. 33°02′29″ N, long. 82°00′10″ W)

Millen Airport

(Lat. 32°53′35″ N, long. 81°57′55″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.7-mile radius of Burke County Airport, and within a 7.4-mile radius of Millen Airport.

Issued in College Park, Georgia, on October 17, 2018.

Ken Brissenden,

Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization.