E8-10414. Modification of Class E Airspace; Roanoke, VA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY:

This action proposes to modify Class E Airspace at Roanoke, VA. Additional airspace is necessary to allow for a lower vectoring altitude known as the Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA) for vectoring of both Visual Flight Rule (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) aircraft for spacing within 20 miles of Roanoke, VA. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management around the Roanoke Regional/Woodrum Field Airport area.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before June 27, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments on this rule to: U. S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12 140, 1200 New Jersey, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001; Telephone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]. You must identify the Docket Number FAA 2008-0417; Airspace Docket No. 08-AEA-20, 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, Airspace Specialist, System Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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. Those wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket No. FAA-2008-0417; Airspace Docket No. 08-AEA-20.” 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 from and comments submitted through http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents 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. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, [phone], to request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

The FAA is considering an amendment to Part 71 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR Part 71) to modify Class E airspace at Roanoke, VA. Analysis of operations has determined that there is a need for additional Class E5 airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the Earth to enhance the management, safety, and efficiency of air traffic services in the area. Higher Minimum Vectoring Altitudes (MVAs) were established due to a change in FAA Order 8260.64, Criteria and Guidance for Radar Operations. That change recommends the FAA “provide a 300 foot buffer above the floor of controlled airspace”. This Class E airspace modification would allow the FAA at Roanoke to satisfy that requirement and lower the MVA to a point to facilitate a better operation for intercepting the glide slopes and enhance the visual approach operation at the Roanoke Airport. Class E airspace designations for airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the Earth are published in Paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9R, signed August 15, 2007, and effective September 15, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document would be published subsequently in the Order.

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, would 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 proposes to modify Class E airspace at Roanoke, VA.

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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

1. The authority citation for part 71 will continue 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 proposed to be amended as follows:

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

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AEA VA E5 Roanoke, VA [Revised]

Roanoke Regional/Woodrum Field Airport, Roanoke, VA

(Lat. 37°19′32″ N., long. 79°58′32″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the Earth within a 15-mile radius of Roanoke Regional/Woodrum Field Airport beginning at the 036 bearing from the airport, thence clockwise until the 128 bearing thence, within a 20-mile radius from the 128 bearing clockwise until the 273 bearing, thence direct to the point of beginning.

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Issued in College Park, Georgia, on April 25, 2008.

Kathy Swann,

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