[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 28, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26431-26433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13255]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 95-AWA-7]
Modification of the Offutt AFB, Class C Airspace Area; NE
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule will modify the Class C airspace area at Offutt AFB,
NE, by eliminating the 1-mile exclusion around the South Omaha Airport
due to its closure. In addition, this action will reduce controller
workload.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, August 15, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bil Nelson, Airspace and Rules
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20591; telephone: (202) 267-3075.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On November 1, 1995, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to modify the Class C
airspace area at Offutt AFB, NE (60 FR 55498). Interested parties were
invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting
written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received
concerning the proposal. Except for editorial changes, this amendment
is the same as that proposed in the notice. Class C airspace
designations are published in paragraph 4000 of FAA Order 7400.9C dated
August 17, 1995, and effective September 16, 1995, which is
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class C 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) modifies the Class C airspace area at Offutt AFB, NE. This
amendment eliminates the 1-mile exclusion around the South Omaha
Airport due to its closure. The action returns this airspace to the
surface area of the established Class C airspace.
Regulatory Evaluation Summary
Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic
analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 directs that each Federal agency
shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination
that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its costs. Second,
the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 requires agencies to analyze the
economic effect of regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the
Office of Management and Budget directs agencies to assess the effect
of regulatory changes on international trade. In conducting these
analyses, the FAA has determined that this final rule is not ``a
significant regulatory action'' as defined in the Executive Order and
the Department of Transportation Regulatory Policies and Procedures.
This final rule will modify the Class C airspace area at Offutt
AFB, NE. The
[[Page 26432]]
rule will delete the 1-mile airspace exclusion around South Omaha
Airport and standardize air traffic operations.
Costs
The FAA has determined that the implementation of the final rule to
modify the Class C airspace area at Offutt AFB, NE, will result in
little or no cost to either the agency or aircraft operators. The
elimination of the 1-mile airspace exclusion around the South Omaha
Airport will not reduce aviation safety nor increase the risk of a
midair collision because that airport is closed. Also, the revision to
aeronautical charts to reflect the airspace modification will be part
of the routine and periodic updating of charts. Finally, the FAA will
not incur any additional administrative costs for either personnel or
equipment.
Benefits
The final rule will generate benefits for system users and the FAA
primarily in the form of enhanced operational efficiency. The final
rule will provide additional controlled airspace for aircraft landing
at and departing from the Offutt AFB, NE. Air traffic controllers will
gain operational efficiency as they will be able to standardize air
traffic operations.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Determination
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) was enacted by
Congress to ensure that small entities are not unnecessarily and
disproportionately burdened by Federal regulations. The RFA requires a
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis if a final rule will have ``a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.'' FAA Order 2100.14A outlines the FAA's procedures and
criteria for implementing the RFA. Small entities are independently
owned and operated small businesses and small not-for-profit
organizations. A substantial number of small entities is defined as a
number that is 11 or more and which is more than one-third of the small
entities subject to this final rule.
The FAA determined that revising the Class C airspace area at
Offutt AFB will not result in a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. This determination was made
because there are little or no costs associated with this final rule.
International Trade Impact Assessment
This final rule will not constitute a barrier to international
trade, including the export of U.S. goods and services to foreign
countries and the import of foreign goods and services into the United
States. This final rule will not impose costs on aircraft operators or
aircraft manufacturers in the United States or foreign countries. The
modification of the Class C airspace area will only affect U.S.
terminal airspace operating procedures at and in the vicinity of Offutt
AFB, NE. This final rule will not have international trade
ramifications because it is a domestic airspace matter that will not
impose additional costs or requirements on affected entities.
Conclusion
In view of the minimal cost of compliance, the benefits of enhanced
aviation safety, and increased operational efficiency of air traffic
controllers, the FAA believes that this final rule is cost-beneficial.
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 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; 14 CFR 11.69.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9C, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16,
1995, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 4000--Subpart C--Class C Airspace
* * * * *
ACE NE C Offutt AFB, NE [Revised]
Offutt AFB, NE
(lat. 41 deg.07'06''N, long. 95 deg.54'45''W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
5,000 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of Offutt AFB, and that
airspace extending upward from 2,500 feet MSL to and including 5,000
feet MSL within a 10-mile radius of the Offutt AFB excluding that
airspace designated as the Eppley Airfield, Omaha, NE, Class C
airspace area.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 13, 1996
Harold W. Becker,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic, Airspace Management.
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[FR Doc. 96-13255 Filed 5-24-96; 8:45 am]
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