2020-24809. Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Waterloo, IA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Waterloo Regional Airport, Waterloo, IA. This action is the result of an airspace review due to the closure of runway 6/24 at Waterloo Regional Airport. The names and geographic coordinates of the airport and navigational aids are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, February 25, 2021. 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 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://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 7400.11E at NARA, email: [e-mail] or go to https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

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 the Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, Class E airspace area designated as an extension to Class D and Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Waterloo Regional Airport, IA, to support instrument flight rule operations at this airport.

History

The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (85 FR 49607; August 14, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2020-0708 to amend the Class D and Class E airspace at Waterloo Regional Airport, Waterloo, IA. 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 D and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11E, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and E airspace designations 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 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E 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:

Amends the Class D airspace at Waterloo Regional Airport, Waterloo, IA, by updating the name (previously Waterloo Municipal Airport) and geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and replaces the outdated term “Airport/Facility Directory” with “Chart Supplement”;

Amends the Class E surface area Waterloo Regional Airport by updating the name (previously Waterloo Municipal Airport) and geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and replaces the outdated term “Airport/Facility Directory” with “Chart Supplement”;

Amends the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to Class D and Class E surface airspace at Waterloo Regional Airport by removing the extensions east, south, and southwest of the VORTAC, as they are no longer needed; adds an extension within 1 mile each side of the 128° bearing from the Waterloo Regional: RWY 12-LOC extending from the 4.3-mile radius of the Waterloo Regional Airport to 4.4 miles southeast of the Waterloo Regional Airport; amends the extension north of the VOR/DME to the 356° radial (previously 351° radial); and updates the name and geographic coordinates of the Waterloo Regional Airport (previously Waterloo Municipal Airport) and the name of the Waterloo VOR/DME (previously Waterloo VORTAC) to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database;

And amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Waterloo Regional Airport by removing the extension southeast of the airport, as it is no longer needed; adds an extension 2.4 miles each side of the 313° radial of the Waterloo VOR/DME extending from the 6.8-mile radius of the Waterloo Regional Airport to 7 miles northwest of the Waterloo VOR/DME; adds an extension 2.4 miles each side of the 356° radial of the Waterloo VOR/DME extending from the 6.8-mile radius of the Waterloo Regional Airport to 7 miles northwest of the Waterloo VOR/DME; and updates the name and geographic coordinates of the Waterloo Regional Airport (previously Waterloo Municipal Airport) and the name of the Waterloo VOR/DME (previously Waterloo VORTAC) to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action is due to an airspace review caused by the closure of runway 6/24 at Waterloo Regional Airport.

FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is published yearly and effective on September 15.

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 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ACE IA D Waterloo, IA [Amended]

Waterloo Regional Airport, IA

(Lat. 42°33′26″ N, long. 92°24′01″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 3,400 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Waterloo Regional Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and times will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

ACE IA E2 Waterloo, IA [Amended]

Waterloo Regional Airport, IA

(Lat. 42°33′26″ N, long. 92°24′01″ W)

Within a 4.3-mile radius of Waterloo Regional Airport. 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 Chart Supplement.

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

* * * * *

ACE IA E4 Waterloo, IA [Amended]

Waterloo Regional Airport, IA

(Lat. 42°33′26″ N, long. 92°24′01″ W)

Waterloo Regional: RWY 12-LOC

(Lat. 42°32′55″ N, long. 92°22′53″ W)

Waterloo VOR/DME

(Lat. 42°33′23″ N, long. 92°23′56″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1 mile each side of the 128° bearing from the Waterloo Regional: RWY 12-LOC extending from the 4.3-mile radius of the Waterloo Regional Airport to 4.4-miles southeast of the Waterloo Regional Airport, and within 2.4 miles each side of the 313° radial from the Waterloo VOR/DME extending from the 4.3-mile radius of the Waterloo Regional Airport to 7 miles northwest of the Waterloo VOR/DME, and within 2.4 miles each side of the 356° radial from the Waterloo VOR/DME extending from the 4.3-mile radius of the Waterloo Regional Airport to 7 miles north of the Waterloo VOR/DME.

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

* * * * *

ACE IA E5 Waterloo, IA [Amended]

Waterloo Regional Airport, IA

(Lat. 42°33′26″ N, long. 92°24′01″ W)

Waterloo VOR/DME

(Lat. 42°33′23″ N, long. 92°23′56″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.8-mile radius of Waterloo Regional Airport, and within 2.4 miles each side of the 313° radial from the Waterloo VOR/DME extending from the 6.8-mile radius of the Waterloo Regional Airport to 7 miles northwest of the Waterloo VOR/DME, and within 2.4 miles each side of the 356° radial from the Waterloo VOR/DME extending from the 6.8-mile radius of the Waterloo Regional Airport to 7 miles north of the Waterloo VOR/DME.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 4, 2020.

Martin A. Skinner,

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