[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17800]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 21, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 73
[Airspace Docket No. 93-AWP-8]
Proposed Modification of Restricted Areas R-2303A and R-2303B,
and Establishment of R-2303C, Fort Huachuca, AZ
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would amend Restricted Areas R-2303A and R-
2303B, and establish R-2303C at Fort Huachuca, AZ. R-2303A would be
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. The proposal
would lower the floor and ceiling and revise the lateral dimensions of
R-2303B in order to accommodate unmanned aerial vehicle training
profiles. R-2303B would be further subdivided by redesignating the
southeast corner of the existing area as a separate restricted area, R-
2303C. Additionally this notice proposes to reduce the published hours
of operation for R-2303A and R-2303B. As proposed, the time of
designation for the new area, R-2303C, would be intermittent by a
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). These changes are proposed to accommodate
increased training requirements and to return unneeded special use
airspace to the National Airspace System (NAS).
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 26, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air
Traffic Division, AWP-500 Docket No. 93-AWP-8, Federal Aviation
Administration, P. O. Box 92007, Worldway Postal Center, Los Angeles,
CA 90009.
The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of
the Chief Counsel, Room 916, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
An informal docket may also be examined during normal business
hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James R. Robinson, Military Operations
Program Office (ATM-420), Office of Air Traffic System Management,
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, D.C. 20591; telephone: (202) 493-4050.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
and energy-related aspects of the proposal. Communications should
identify the airspace docket number and be submitted in triplicate to
the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge
receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with those
comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following
statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 93-AWP-8.'' The
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter. Send
comments on environmental and land use aspects to: Commander, U.S. Army
Garrison, Attn: Mr. John Murray ATZS-EHB, Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613-6000.
All communications received on or before the specified closing date for
comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule.
The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for
examination in the Rules Docket both before and after the closing date
for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the
docket.
Availability of NPRM's
Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration,
Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-220,
800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202)
267-3485. Communications must identify the notice number of this NPRM.
Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's
should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, which
describes the application procedure.
The Proposal
The FAA is considering an amendment to part 73 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 73) to amend R-2303A to exclude from
the restricted area the airspace from the surface to 1,500 feet above
ground level (AGL), within a 3-nautical-mile radius of the Fort
Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport. The airspace from
the surface to 1,500 feet AGL within 1-nautical-mile either side of
U.S. Highway 90 would also be excluded. This would provide VFR access
to the airport when R-2303A is in use. R-2303B would be amended by
relocating the northern boundary 3 miles south of its existing
position. This would better accommodate hang gliding activity that
takes place just outside of the northwest corner of existing R-2303B.
R-2303B would also be subdivided to designate the southeastern section
as a separate restricted area, R-2303C. This notice also proposes to
lower the floor of R-2303B from 15,000 feet MSL to 8,000 feet MSL in
order to accommodate unmanned aerial vehicle training profiles. The
ceiling of R-2303B would be lowered from FL 450 to FL 300. This new
subarea would extend from 8,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) 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 would be
returned to the NAS. Lastly, the times of designation for R-2303A and
R-2303B would be 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.'' Activation of R-2303C would be intermittent by NOTAM at
least 24 hours in advance. Designation of R-2303C is proposed to
accommodate hang gliding activities that occur just outside of the
southeastern corner of existing R-2303B. The coordinates for this
airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83. Section 73.23 of
part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations was republished in FAA
Order 7400.8B dated March 9, 1994.
The FAA has determined that this proposed 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, when promulgated, will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Environmental Review
An environmental review of the proposal will be conducted by the
U.S. Army and the FAA prior to an FAA final decision on the proposal.
The results of the review will be addressed in any subsequent
rulemaking action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73
Airspace, Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 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. app. 1348(a), 1354(a), 1510, 1522; E.O.
10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g);
14 CFR 11.69.
2. Section 73.23 is amended as follows:
Sec. 73.23 [Amended]
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 1,500 feet AGL 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 1,500 feet AGL 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.
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 8, 1994.
Harold W. Becker,
Manager, Airspace-Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.
[FR Doc. 94-17800 Filed 7-20-94, 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
