07-6071. Establishment of Class E Airspace; Skowhegan, ME

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Direct final rule, request for comments.

SUMMARY:

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Skowhegan, ME. The existing controlled airspace from nearby Central Maine Airport does not adequately support a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed for medical flight operations. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations by providing the required controlled airspace to protect for this approach around the Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, February 14, 2008. 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 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments. Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before February 4, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments on this rule to: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey, SE., West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; Telephone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]. You must identify the Docket Number FAA-2007-0244; Airspace Docket No. 07-ANE-94, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit and review received comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

You may review the public docket containing the rule, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Daryl Daniels, System Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse or negative comments, and, therefore, issues it as a direct final rule. The FAA has determined that this rule only involves an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 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 effective date. If the FAA receives, 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 direct final rule, and was not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking dockets can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov or the Federal Register's web page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/​fr/​index.html. Communications should identify both docket numbers and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES above or you may comment through the website. 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.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. 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. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. Those 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. FAA-2007-0244; Airspace Docket No. 07-ANE-94.” The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

The Rule

This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 establishes Class E5 airspace at Skowhegan, ME providing the controlled airspace required to support the new Copter RNAV (GPS) 240 Point in Space (PinS) approach developed to facilitate helicopter arrival and departures at the Redington-Fairview General Hospital. Although Class E airspace exists near the area, it is insufficient for the protection for this approach that will serve medical flights. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is required to encompass all instrument approach procedures (IAPs) to the extent practical and for general instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. Therefore, the FAA is amending Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to establish Class E5 airspace at Skowhegan, ME. Designations for Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the Earth are published in FAA Order 7400.9R, signed August 15, 2007, effective September 15, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Class E designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

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 various levels of government. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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 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 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 establishes controlled airspace near the Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan, ME.

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(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 7400.9R, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 15, 2007, effective September 15, 2007, is amended as follows:

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

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ANE ME E5 Skowhegan, ME [NEW]

Redington-Fairview General Hospital Heliport

(Lat. 44°45′28″ N., long. 69°42′51″ W.)

Point in Space Coordinates

(Lat. 44°46′03″ N., long. 69°43′14″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the Earth within a 6-mile radius of the Point in Space coordinates (lat. 44°46′03″ N., long. 69°43′14″ W.) serving the Redington-Fairview General Hospital Heliport.

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Issued in College Park, Georgia, on December 10, 2007.

Barry A. Knight,

Acting Manager, System Support Group, Eastern Service Center.