2023-22162. Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Philadelphia, PA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Class D and Class E surface airspace for Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia, PA, by updating the airport's description headers and making editorial changes. This action does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, November 30, 2023. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES:

FAA Order JO 7400.11H, Airspace Designations, Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments online at www.faa.gov/​air_​traffic/​publications/​. For further information, contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Goodson, 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 updates airspace descriptions. This update is an administrative change and does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

Incorporation by Reference

Class D and Class E airspace are published in paragraphs 5000 and 6002 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 annually. This document amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11H, dated August 19, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023. FAA Order JO 7400.11H is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. These amendments will be published in the next FAA Order JO 7400.11 update. FAA Order JO 7400.11H lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

This action amends the Class D airspace and Class E surface airspace for Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia, PA, by:

• Removing the word North from the first line of the header of the Class D airspace description, as it is not needed.
• Removing the city name Philadelphia from the second line of the header of the Class D airspace description, as it is not needed.
• Removing the word North from the first line of the header of the Class E Surface airspace description, as it is not needed.
• Removing the city name Philadelphia from the second line of the header of the Class E Surface airspace description, as it is not needed.

• Replacing the term Notice to Airmen with Notice to Air Missions in Class D airspace and Class E Surface airspace descriptions.

• Replacing the term Airport/Facility Directory with Chart Supplement in the descriptions of Class D airspace and Class E Surface airspace.

This action is an administrative change and does not affect the airspace boundaries or operating requirements; therefore, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary.

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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed 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

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)

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 14 CFR 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 JO 7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA PA D Philadelphia, PA [Amended]

Northeast Philadelphia Airport, PA

(Lat. 40°04′55″ N, long. 75°00′38″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,600 feet MSL within a 5.6-mile radius of the Northeast Philadelphia Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air Missions. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

* * * * *

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA PA E2 Philadelphia, PA [Amended]

Northeast Philadelphia Airport, PA

(Lat. 40°04′55″ N, long. 75°00′38″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 5.6-mile radius of the Northeast Philadelphia Airport. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air Missions. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

* * * * *

Issued in College Park, Georgia, on September 26, 2023.

Lisa E. Burrows,

Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization.