2018-03660. Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace; Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport, MS

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, Class E airspace designated as an extension (by removing NOTAM part-time status), and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, (formerly Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport), Gulfport, MS. The geographic coordinates for these airports and the Keesler TACAN navigation aid would be adjusted in the associated Class D and E airspace to match the FAA's aeronautical database. Also, an editorial change would be made to the Class E extension airspace legal descriptions replacing “Airport/Facility Directory” with the term “Chart Supplement” for these airports. This action would enhance the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before April 12, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments on this proposal to: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Bldg. Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone [phone], or [phone]. You must identify the Docket No. FAA-2017-0865; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASO-19, 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 proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on line at http://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 7400.11B at NARA, call [phone], or go to https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Fornito, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1700 Columbia Ave, College Park, Georgia 30337; 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 would amend Class D and Class E airspace at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Gulfport, MS, to support IFR operations at these airports.

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.

Communications should identify both docket numbers and be submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. You may also submit comments through the internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

Persons wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket No. FAA-2017-0865; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASO-19.” The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.

All communications received before the specified closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov/​air_​traffic/​publications/​airspace_​amendments/​.

You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office (see the ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. An informal docket may also be examined between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 350, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by amending Class D airspace and Class E airspace designated as an extension, at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (formerly Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport, Gulfport, MS), by removing the part-time Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) status of each airport.

This proposal also would amend the geographic coordinates of these airports and the Keesler TACAN navigation aid to be in concert with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action also notes the airport name change of Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport from Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport.

Finally, this action would replace the term “Airport/Facility Directory” with the term `Chart Supplement” in the legal descriptions for Keesler AFB, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, in Class D and Class E surface airspace.

Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 5000, 6002, 6004 and 6005, respectively of FAA Order 7400.11B, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E airspace designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary 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 proposed 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.

Environmental Review

This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures” prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

• Airspace
• Incorporation by reference
• Navigation (air)

The Proposed Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO MS D Biloxi, MS [Amended]

Keesler AFB, MS

(Lat. 30°24′38″ N, long. 88°55′28″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Keesler AFB, excluding the portion west of long. 89°00′00″ W. 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 time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

* * * * *

ASO MS D Gulfport, MS [Amended]

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, MS

(Lat. 30°24′26″ N, long. 89°04′12″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport; excluding that portion of airspace within the Biloxi, MS, Class D airspace area. 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 time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Area Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO MS E2 Biloxi, MS [Amended]

Keesler AFB, MS

(Lat. 30°24′38″ N, long. 88°55′28″ W)

Within a 4.2-mile radius of Keesler AFB, excluding the portion west of long. 89°00′00″ W. 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 Designated as an Extension to a Class D Surface Area.

* * * * *

ASO MS E4 Biloxi, MS [Amended]

Keesler AFB, MS

(Lat. 30°24′38″ N, long. 88°55′28″ W)

Keesler TACAN

(Lat. 30°24′26″ N, long. 88°55′47″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.4 miles each side of the Keesler TACAN 204° radial, extending from the 4.2-mile radius of Keesler AFB to 6 miles southwest of the TACAN.

* * * * *

ASO MS E4 Gulfport, MS [Amended]

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, MS

(Lat. 30°24′26″ N, long. 89°04′12″ W)

Gulfport VORTAC

(Lat. 30°24′25″ N, long. 89°04′36″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3.3 miles each side of Gulfport VORTAC 130° and 322° radials, extending from the 4.5-mile radius of Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport to 7 miles southeast and northwest of the VORTAC; excluding that portion within the Biloxi, MS, Class D and E airspace areas.

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

* * * * *

ASO MS E5 Gulfport, MS [Amended]

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, MS

(Lat. 30°24′26″ N, long. 89°04′12″ W)

Keesler AFB

(Lat. 30°24′38″ N, long. 88°55′28″ W)

Keesler TACAN

(Lat. 30°24′26″ N, long. 88°55′47″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7-mile radius of Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport and within a 6.5-mile radius of Keesler AFB and within 2 miles each side of Keesler TACAN 204° radial, extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 10.6 miles southwest of the TACAN.

Issued in College Park, Georgia, on February 14, 2018.

Ryan W. Almasy,

Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization.