E9-9989. Amendment of Class E Airspace; Refugio, TX

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends the legal description of the Class E airspace at Refugio, TX. It removes the reference to the Rockport, TX, Class E airspace area to reflect its incorporation into the Corpus Christi, TX, Class E airspace area (74 FR 7560). All other legal descriptions for the Refugio, TX, airspace area remain the same.

DATES:

Effective Date: 0901 UTC, May 7, 2009. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR Part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Scott Enander, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76193-0530; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On February 18, 2009, the FAA published in the Federal Register a final rule to revoke Class E airspace at Rockport, TX (74 FR 7560, Docket No. FAA-2008-0988). This airspace was incorporated into the Corpus Christi, TX, Class E surface area (74 FR 7557, Docket No. FAA-2008-0987). The FAA now will remove reference to the Rockport, TX, airspace area from the Refugio, TX, airspace area. 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 7400.9S signed October 3, 2008, and effective October 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR Part 71.1. The Class E airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in that Order.

The Rule

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 71 by removing Rockport, TX, from the legal description of the Class E airspace area at Refugio, TX.

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. Therefore, 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) 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 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.

The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. Subtitle 1, 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 the legal description for Class E airspace at Refugio, TX.

Since this is only an amendment to the legal description, and in consideration of the need to avoid confusion on the part of pilots flying in the vicinity of Refugio, TX, the FAA finds good cause, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d), for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days in order to promote the safe and efficient handling of air traffic in the area.

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—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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 the Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9S, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed October 3, 2008, and effective October 31, 2008, is 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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ASW TX E5 Refugio, TX [Amended]

Refugio, Mellon Ranch Airport, TX

(Lat. 28°16′51″ N., long. 97°12′41″ W.)

Mellon Ranch NDB

(Lat. 28°16′48″ N., long. 97°12′21″ W.)

Refugio, Rooke Field, TX

(Lat. 28°17′37″ N., long. 97°19′23″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.8-mile radius of Mellon Ranch Airport, and within 2.7 miles each side of the 345° bearing from the Mellon Ranch NDB extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 7.4 miles north of the airport, and within 2.7 miles each side of the 145° bearing from the Mellon Ranch NDB extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 7.4 miles south of the airport, excluding that airspace within a 1/2 mile radius of Rooke Field, and excluding that airspace within the Corpus Christi, TX Class E airspace area.

* * * * *

Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on April 22, 2009.

Roger M. Trevino,

Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.