97-13572. Revision of Class E Airspace; Athens, TX  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 100 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 28341-28342]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-13572]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 71
    
    [Airspace Docket No. 97-ASW-07]
    
    
    Revision of Class E Airspace; Athens, TX
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
    
    ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.
    
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    SUMMARY: This action revises the Class E airspace at Athens, TX. The 
    development of a Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) Standard Instrument 
    Approach Procedure (SIAP) to Runway (RWY) 17 at Lockridge Ranch Airport 
    has made this rule necessary. This action is intended to provide 
    adequate Class E airspace for aircraft operating under Instrument 
    Flight Rules (IFR) and executing the NDB SIAP at Lochridge Ranch 
    Airport, Athens, TX.
    
    DATES: Effective: 0901 UTC, September 11, 1997.
        Comment date: Comments must be received on or before July 22, 1997.
    
    ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to Manager, Airspace 
    Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration Southwest 
    Region, Docket No. 97-ASW-07, Fort Worth, TX 76193-0520. The official 
    docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
    Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Room 663, Fort Worth, TX, 
    between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
    holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
    business hours at the Airspace Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal 
    Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, Room 414, Fort Worth, TX.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Donald J. Day, Airspace Branch, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region, 
    Federal Aviation Administration, Fort Worth, TX 76193-0520, telephone 
    817-222-5593.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment to part 71 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) revises the Class E airspace, 
    providing controlled airspace for IFR operations at Lockridge Ranch 
    Airport, Athens, TX. The development of a NDB SIAP to RWY 17 requires 
    revision of the Class E airspace for aircraft operating in the vicinity 
    of the airport. This revision will avoid confusion on the part of the 
    pilots flying near the airport, and promote the safe and efficient 
    handling of air traffic in the area. This action will revise the Class 
    E airspace at Athens, TX.
        Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraph 6005 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 E 
    airspace designation listed in this document will be published 
    subsequently in the order.
    
    The Direct Final Rule Procedure
    
        The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
    or negative comment and therefore, is issuing it as a direct final 
    rule. A substantial number of previous opportunities provided to the 
    public to comment on substantially identical actions have resulted in 
    negligible adverse comments or objections. Unless a written adverse or 
    negative comment, or a written notice of intent to submit an adverse or 
    negative comment is received within the comment period, the regulation 
    will become effective on the date specified above. After the close of 
    the comment period, the FAA will publish a document in the Federal 
    Register indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received 
    and confirming the data on which the final rule will become effective. 
    If the FAA
    
    [[Page 28342]]
    
    does receive, within the comment period, an adverse or negative 
    comment, or written notice of intent to submit such a comment, a 
    document withdrawing the direct final rule will be published in the 
    Federal Register, and a notice of proposed rulemaking may be published 
    with a new comment period.
    
    Comments Invited
    
        Although the action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
    preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited on 
    this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
    submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
    Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
    in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
    communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
    be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn in light of 
    the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
    commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
    the effectiveness of this action and determining whether additional 
    rulemaking action is needed.
        Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
    economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
    suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
    available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
    Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
    summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
    action will be filed in the Rules Docket. Commenters wishing the FAA to 
    acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this 
    rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the 
    following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 97-ASW-07.'' The 
    postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
    
    Agency Findings
    
        The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
    effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
    government and the State, or on the distribution of power and 
    responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
    accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
    rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
    preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        Further, the FAA has determined that this regulation is 
    noncontroversial, and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
    comments and only involves an established body of technical regulations 
    that require frequent and routine amendments to keep them operationally 
    current. Therefore, I certify that 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) if promulgated, will not have 
    a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
    number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act. Since this rule involves routine matters that will 
    only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it does not 
    warrant preparation of a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis because the 
    anticipated impact is so minimal.
    
    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. 289; 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 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
    feet or more above the surface of the earth.
    
    * * * * *
    
    ASW TX E5 Athens, TX [Revised]
    
    Athens Municipal Airport, TX
        (lat. 32 deg.09'50'' N, long. 95 deg.49'42'' W)
    Athens, Lochridge Ranch Airport, TX
        (lat. 31 deg.59'21'' N, long. 95 deg.57'03'' W)
    Crossroads NDB
        (lat. 32 deg.03'49'' N, long. 95 deg.57'28'' W)
    
        That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
    within a 6.5-mile radius of Athens Municipal Airport, and within a 
    6.5-mile radius of Lochridge Ranch Airport and within 4 miles each 
    side of the 356 deg. bearing from the Crossroads NDB extending from 
    the 6.5-mile radius to 11.5 miles north of the NDB excluding that 
    airspace within the Tyler, TX, Class E airspace area.
    * * * * *
        Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on May 12, 1997.
    Albert L. Viselli,
    Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region.
    [FR Doc. 97-13572 Filed 5-22-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
9/11/1997
Published:
05/23/1997
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Direct final rule; request for comments.
Document Number:
97-13572
Dates:
Effective: 0901 UTC, September 11, 1997.
Pages:
28341-28342 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Airspace Docket No. 97-ASW-07
PDF File:
97-13572.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 71.1