2014-04497. Amendment of Class E Airspace; Macon, GA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Class E Airspace at Macon, GA, as the Bay Creek Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and airspace reconfiguration is necessary for the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Perry-Houston County Airport. This action also amends controlled airspace and updates the name and geographic coordinates of Macon Downtown Airport and amends controlled airspace for Middle Georgia Regional Airport.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, May 29, 2014. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Fornito, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On August 22, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class E airspace in Macon, GA, (78 FR 52114). 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 E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9X dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 2013, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.8-mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Macon, GA; and within a 9.8-mile radius of Perry-Houston County Airport; and within a 7-mile radius of Robins AFB; and within a 8.8-mile radius of Macon Downtown Airport formerly called Herbert Smart Downtown Airport. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Bay Creek NDB and cancellation of the NDB approach, and for continued safety and management of IFR operations at the airports. Also, the geographic coordinates of Macon Downtown Airport are adjusted to coincide with the FAAs aeronautical database.

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. 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 controlled airspace in the Macon, GA, area.

Environmental Review

The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures,” paragraph 311a. 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(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 7400.9X, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 7, 2013, effective September 15, 2013, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

ASO GA E5 Macon, GA [Amended]

Middle Georgia Regional Airport, GA

(Lat. 32°41′34″ N., long. 83°38′57″ W.)

Macon Downtown Airport

(Lat. 32°49′18″ N., long. 83°33′43″ W.)

Robins AFB

(Lat. 32°38′25″ N., long. 83°35′31″ W.)

Perry-Houston County Airport

(Lat. 32°30′38″ N., long. 83°46′02″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.8-mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional Airport, and within a 8.8-mile radius of Macon Downtown Airport, and within a 7-mile radius of Robins AFB, and within a 9.8-mile radius of Perry-Houston County Airport.

Issued in College Park, Georgia, on February 21, 2014.

Eric Fox,

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