03-31732. Amendment of Class E Airspace; Erie, PA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends the Class E airspace at Erie, PA. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft operating into Life Star Base Heliport, Harbor Creek, PA, under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

EFFECTIVE DATE:

0901 UTC April 15, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Francis Jordan, Airspace Specialist, Airspace Branch, AEA-520, Air Traffic Division, Eastern Region, Federal Aviation Administration, 1 Aviation Plaza, Jamaica, New York 11434-4809, telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On November 14, 2003, a notice proposing to amend Part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 71) by modifying the Class E airspace area at Erie, PA was published in the Federal Register (68 FR 64575-64576). The proposed action would provide additional controlled airspace to accommodate a Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP), based on area navigation (RNAV), to the Life Star Base Heliport. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA on or before December 15, 2003. No comments to the proposal were received. The rule is adopted as proposed.

The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83. Class E airspace area designations for airspace extending upward from the surface of the earth are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9L, dated September 2, 2003, and effective September 16, 2003, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document will be published in the Order.

The Rule

This amendment to Part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 71) provides controlled Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for aircraft conducting IFR operations within a 6-mile radius of Life Star Base Heliport, Harbor Creek, PA.

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 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 will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

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—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR Part 71 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; EO 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9L, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 2, 2003, and effective September 16, 2003, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

AEA PA E5 Erie, PA (Revised)

Erie International Tom Ridge Field Airport, PA

(Lat. 42°04′55″ N., long. 80°10′34″ W.)

Life Star Base Heliport

Lat. 42°10′19″ N., long. 79°56′34″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.7-mile radius of Erie International/Tom Ridge Field Airport and within 4.4 miles each side of the 054° bearing from the airport extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 14 miles northeast of the airport and within a 6-mile radius of Life Star Base Heliport.

* * * * *

Issued in Jamaica, New York, on December 16, 2003.

John G. McCartney.

Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Eastern Region.