[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 136 (Monday, July 17, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36340-36341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17405]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 95-AWA-2]
Revocation of Class C and Class E Airspace Areas, Merced, Castle
AFB, CA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule revokes the Class C and Class E airspace areas at
Merced, Castle Air Force Base (AFB), CA, as a result of the scheduled
closure of the Castle AFB on September 5, 1995.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, September 5, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman W. Thomas, Airspace and
Obstruction Evaluation Branch (ATP-240), Airspace-Rules and
Aeronautical Information Division, Air Traffic Rules and Procedures
Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-9230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Rule
This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 71) revokes the Class C and Class E airspace areas at Merced,
Castle AFB, CA. The FAA is revoking these airspace areas as a result of
the scheduled closure of the Castle AFB on September 5, 1995, including
the closure of the Castle AFB air traffic operations, and its weather
reporting capabilities. I find that notice and public procedure under 5
U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary because this action is a minor technical
amendment in which the public is not particularly interested. Class C
and E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 4000 and 6003,
respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9B dated July 18, 1994, and effective
September 16, 1994, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1.
The Class C and Class E airspace designations listed in this document
will be removed subsequently from the Order.
Regulatory Evaluation Summary
Proposed 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
[[Page 36341]]
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 will generate
benefits that justify its costs and is not ``a significant regulatory
action'' as defined in the Executive Order and the Department of
Transportation Regulatory Policies and Procedures. The final rule will
not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities
and will not constitute a barrier to international trade. These
analyses, available in the docket, are summarized below.
The final rule is cost-relieving in nature. It will provide reduced
navigation costs for pilots who navigate around the current Class C
airspace area. Pilots will no longer face the operational requirements
(i.e. communicating and complying with air traffic control) of Class C
airspace in that area. In addition, since Castle AFB is being closed,
the primary source of the aircraft traffic volume and complexity will
be removed. This means that revoking the Class C and Class E airspace
areas will not compromise safety. Therefore, the FAA finds the final
rule to be cost-beneficial.
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.'' The final rule is cost-relieving in nature and will not
impose any costs on small entities. Thus, the final rule will not
result in ``a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities.''
International Trade Impact Assessment
The 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. The final rule will not impose costs on aircraft operators or
aircraft manufacturers in the United States or foreign countries. The
revocation of the Class C and Class E airspace areas will only affect
U.S. terminal airspace operating procedures at and in the vicinity of
Merced, Castle AFB, CA. The 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.
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 is revised to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR
9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 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 Federal
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9B, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated July 18, 1994, and effective September 16,
1994, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 4000--Subpart C-Class C Airspace
* * * * *
AWP CA C Merced, Castle AFB, CA [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 6003-Subpart E-Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an
Extension to a Class C Surface Area.
* * * * *
AWP CA E3 Merced, Castle AFB, CA [Removed]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 29, 1995.
Harold W. Becker,
Manager, Airspace-Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.
[FR Doc. 95-17405 Filed 7-14-95; 8:45 am]
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