[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4211]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 96-ASW-29]
Revocation of Class D Airspace; Blytheville, AR
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This action revokes the Class D airspace at Blytheville, AR.
The decommissioning of the Blytheville, Arkansas International Airport
control tower removes the need for Class D airspace extending upward
from the surface to, but not including, 2,800 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL)
within a 4.6-mile radius of the airport. This action is intended to
revoke the unnecessary Class D airspace.
DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, March 7, 1997.
Comment date: Comments must be received on or before April 21,
1997.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to Manager,
Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation
Administration Southwest Region, Docket No. 96-ASW-29, Fort Worth, TX
76193-0530.
The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant
Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, 2601
Meacham Boulevard, Room 663, Fort Worth, TX, between 9:00 AM and 3:00
PM, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An informal docket
may also be examined during normal business hours at the Operations
Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration,
Southwest Region, Room 414, Fort Worth, TX.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald J. Day, Operations Branch, Air
Traffic Division, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation Administration,
Fort Worth, TX 76193-0530, telephone 817-222-5593.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments on the Rule
Although this action is a final rule, which involves the revocation
of Class D airspace at Blytheville, AR, and was not preceded by notice
and public procedure, comments are invited on the rule. However, after
the review of any comments and, if the FAA finds that further changes
are appropriate, it will initiate rulemaking proceedings to extend the
effective date or to amend the regulation.
Interested parties are invited to participate in this rulemaking
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA.
Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and
suggestions presented are particularly helpful in evaluating the
effects of the rule, and in determining whether additional rulemaking
is required.
Class D airspace designations are published in Paragraph 5000 of
FAA Order 7400.9D dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16,
1996, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D
airspace designation listed in this document will be published
subsequently in the Order.
The Rule
This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 71) revokes the Class D airspace, providing controlled
airspace for terminal instrument operations, located at Blytheville,
Arkansas International Airport, AR. The current Class D airspace was
supported by a control tower, which was decommissioned following the
closure of Eaker Air Force Base, subsequently renamed Blytheville,
Arkansas International Airport.
Since this action merely involves the revocation of Class D
airspace as a result of closing the airport control tower, notice and
public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary. Since there
will no longer be a control tower at Blytheville, Arkansas
International Airport, the Class D airspace must be removed to avoid
confusion on the part of the pilots flying in the vicinity of the
airport, and to promote the safe and efficient handling of air traffic
in the area. Therefore, I find that notice and public procedure under 5
U.S.C. 553 are unnecessary and good cause exists for making this
amendment effective in less than thirty days.
The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an
established body of technical regulations that need frequent and
routine amendments 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 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. app. 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854; 24 FR
9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 14 CFR
11.69.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9D, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16,
1996, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace areas designated for an airport.
* * * * *
ASW AR D Blytheville, AR [Removed]
* * * * *
Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on February 12, 1997.
Albert L. Viselli,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 97-4211 Filed 2-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4913-13-M
