95-17903. Modification of Restricted Areas R-2303A and R-2303B, and Establishment of R-2303C, Fort Huachuca, AZ  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 139 (Thursday, July 20, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 37329-37331]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-17903]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 73
    
    [Airspace Docket No. 93-AWP-8]
    
    
    Modification of Restricted Areas R-2303A and R-2303B, and 
    Establishment of R-2303C, Fort Huachuca, AZ
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This action amends Restricted Areas R-2303A and R-2303B, and 
    establishes R-2303C at Fort Huachuca, AZ. R-2303A is amended to exclude 
    the Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport from the 
    restricted area and provide airspace for visual flight rules (VFR) 
    access to the airport when R-2303A is in use. This action lowers the 
    floor and ceiling and revises the lateral dimensions of R-2303B in 
    order to accommodate unmanned aerial vehicle training profiles. R-2303B 
    is further subdivided by redesignating the southeast corner of the 
    existing area as a separate restricted area, R-2303C. Additionally this 
    action reduces the published hours of operation for R-2303A and R-
    2303B. The purpose of these changes is to accommodate increased 
    training requirements and to return unneeded special use airspace to 
    the National Airspace System (NAS).
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, September 14, 1995.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Robinson, Military Operations 
    Program Office (ATM-420), Office of Air Traffic System Management, 
    Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., 
    Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 493-4050. 
    
    [[Page 37330]]
    
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    History
    
        On July 21, 1994, the FAA proposed to amend part 73 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 73) to modify R-2303A and R-2303B and 
    establish R-2303C, Fort Huachuca, AZ (59 FR 37188). Interested parties 
    were invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting 
    written comments on the proposal to the FAA. The comments are discussed 
    below:
        On June 15, 1995, the FAA published a supplemental notice of 
    proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) (60 FR 31425) as a result of comments 
    received expressing concern about the dimensions and navigability of 
    the airport exclusionary zone and VFR corridor. The FAA received no 
    comments in response to the SNPRM.
        Supportive comments were received from the Southern Arizona Hang 
    Gliding Association, with a recommendation to chart three areas of 
    intensive hang gliding activities located in the vicinity of R-2303B. 
    The FAA agrees with this recommendation and will initiate action to 
    chart the hang gliding areas on the Phoenix Sectional Aeronautical 
    Chart.
        Concerns were raised relating to the dimensions and navigability of 
    the VFR corridor and airport exclusionary zone. As a result of comments 
    received in response to the NPRM, the FAA is increasing the ceiling of 
    the airport exclusion and VFR access corridor at the Libby AAF/Sierra 
    Vista Municipal Airport. R-2303A will be amended to exclude from the 
    restricted area the airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL, within 
    a 3-nautical-mile radius of the Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista 
    Municipal Airport. The airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL 
    within 1-nautical-mile either side of U.S. Highway 90 will also be 
    excluded. This will provide VFR access to the airport when R-2303A is 
    in use. Except for editorial changes, this amendment is the same as 
    that proposed in the notices. Section 73.23 of part 73 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations was republished in FAA Order 7400.8B dated March 
    9, 1994.
    
    The Rule
    
        This amendment to Part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
    amends R-2303A to exclude from the restricted area the airspace from 
    the surface to 7,000 feet MSL, within a 3-nautical-mile radius of the 
    Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport. The airspace 
    from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within 1-nautical-mile either side 
    of U.S. Highway 90 is also excluded. This will provide VFR access to 
    the airport when R-2303A is in use. R-2303B is amended by relocating 
    the northern boundary 3 miles south of the existing position. This will 
    better accommodate hang gliding activity that takes place just outside 
    of the northwest corner of R-2303B. R-2303B is further amended by 
    subdividing the southeastern section as a separate restricted area, R-
    2303C. The purpose of this subdivision is to accommodate hang gliding 
    activities occurring just outside of the southeast corner of R-2303A. 
    To achieve this, R-2303C retains a 15,000 feet MSL floor and the time 
    of designation for that section is reduced from the current baseline of 
    9 hours per day, 6 days per week, to ``intermittent by NOTAM at least 
    24 hours in advance.'' In addition, this action lowers the floor of R-
    2303B from 15,000 feet MSL to 8,000 feet MSL excluding the airspace 
    within R-2303A when activated, in order to accommodate unmanned aerial 
    vehicle training profiles. The ceiling of R-2303B is lowered from 
    Flight Level 450 (FL) to FL 300. The U.S. Army has determined that 
    there is no longer a requirement for restricted airspace above FL 300, 
    therefore, that airspace is being returned to the NAS system. Lastly, 
    the times of designation for R-2303A and R-2303B are reduced from 
    ``Monday-Saturday, 0700-1600 local time; other times by NOTAM at least 
    24 hours in advance,'' to ``Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other 
    times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.''
        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. 
    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 rule will not have a significant economic impact on 
    a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    
    Environmental Review
    
        The Department of the Army has completed an Environmental 
    Assessment (EA) of this action resulting in a Finding of No Significant 
    Impact (FONSI). The FAA has reviewed the EA, and adopts the EA/FONSI, 
    as supplemented by the U. S. Army. The FAA concludes that this action 
    will have no significant impact on the environment.
    
    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73
    
        Airspace, Navigation (air).
    
    Adoption of the Amendment
    
        In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
    Administration amends 14 CFR part 73 as follows:
    
    PART 73--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for part 73 continues 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. 73.23  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 73.23 is amended as follows:
    R-2303A Fort Huachuca, AZ [Revised]
    
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.40'40''N., long. 
    110 deg.11'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.08'32''W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.22'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.33'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.23'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.23'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.41'32''W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.43'32''W.; to lat. 31 deg.38'30''N., long. 
    110 deg.42'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.38'30''N., long. 
    110 deg.39'32''W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.33'32''W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.12'02''W.; to the point of beginning.
    
    Altitudes. Surface to 15,000 feet MSL, excluding the airspace from 
    the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within a 3-nautical-mile radius of the 
    Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport, AZ, and 
    excluding the airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within 1-
    nautical-mile either side of U.S. Highway 90.
    Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other 
    times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
    
    R-2303B Fort Huachuca, AZ [Revised]
    
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.45'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.20'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.12'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.40'40''N., long. 
    110 deg.11'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.08'32''W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.22'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.33'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.23'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.23'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.25'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.25'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.45'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.45'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.45'52''W.; to the point of beginning.
    
    Altitudes. 8,000 feet MSL to FL 300, excluding that airspace within 
    R-2303A when activated. 
    
    [[Page 37331]]
    
    Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other 
    times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
    
    R-2303C Fort Huachuca, AZ [New]
    
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.35'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.00'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.00'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.25'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.25'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.23'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.33'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.23'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.22'02''W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00''N., long. 
    110 deg.08'32''W.; to lat. 31 deg.40'40''N., long. 
    110 deg.11'02''W.; to the point of beginning.
    
    Altitudes. 15,000 feet MSL to FL 300.
    Time of designation. Intermittent by NOTAM at least 24 hours in 
    advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
    
        Issued in Washington, DC, on July 12, 1995.
    Nancy B. Kalinowski,
    Acting Manager, Airspace-Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.
    [FR Doc. 95-17903 Filed 7-19-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/20/1995
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
95-17903
Dates:
0901 UTC, September 14, 1995.
Pages:
37329-37331 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Airspace Docket No. 93-AWP-8
PDF File:
95-17903.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 73.23