2010-25220. Amendment of Class E Airspace; Kwajalein Island, Marshall Islands, RMI

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule, technical amendment.

SUMMARY:

This action removes the reference to the Kwajalein Tactacial Air Navigation (TACAN) System from the legal description of the Class E airspace areas for Kwajalein Island, Bucholz AAF, Marshall Islands, RMI. The U.S. Army notified the FAA that the Kwajalein TACAN was decommissioned. This action corrects the legal descriptions for the Class E airspace areas in the vicinity of the Marshall Islands.

DATES:

Effective date 0901 UTC, January 13, 2011. 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 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules Group, Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Rule

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by removing the reference to the Kwajalein TACAN, as it has been decommissioned, from the legal description of Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area, and Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth at Kwajalein Island, Bucholz AAF, Marshall Islands, RMI. Therefore, notice and public procedures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.

Class E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 6004 and 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9U signed August 18, 2010, and effective September 15, 2010, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

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. Therefore, 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) 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.

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 the 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 Kwajalein Island, Marshall Island, RMI.

Environmental Review

The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with 311a., FAA Order 1050.1E, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures.” 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.

List 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 14 CFR 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.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the FAA Order 7400.9U Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 18, 2010, and effective September 15, 2010, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

AWP RM E4 Kwajalein Island, Marshall Islands, RMI [Amended]

Kwajalein Island, Bucholz AAF, RMI

(Lat. 08°43′00″ N., long. 167°44′00″ E.)

Kwajalein RBN

(Lat. 08°43′15″ N., long. 167°43′39″ E.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within 2.2 miles each side of the Bucholz AAF 249° bearing, extending from the 4.3-mile radius of Bucholz AAF to 5.2 miles west of the Bucholz AAF, and within 3 miles each side of the 077° bearing from the Kwajalein RBN, extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 9.6 miles east of the RBN. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Pacific Chart Supplement.

* * * * *

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

* * * * *

AWP RM E5 Kwajalein Island, Marshall Islands, RMI [Amended]

Kwajalein Island, Bucholz AAF, RM

(Lat. 08°43′00″ N., long. 167°44′00″ E.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 12-mile radius of Bucholz AAF. That airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 100-mile radius of Bucholz AAF.

Issued in Washington, DC, September 29, 2010.

Edith V. Parish,

Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.