E8-16517. Revocation of Class E Airspace; Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action will revoke Class E airspace at Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ. The United States Air Force (USAF) is closing the airport to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations when the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) is closed.

DATES:

Effective Date: 0901 UTC, September 25, 2008. 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:

Eldon Taylor, Federal Aviation Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Area, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On April 11, 2008, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to revoke controlled airspace at Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ (73 FR 19777). This action would remove class E airspace and restrict IFR aircraft from landing at Luke AFB when the Air Traffic Control tower is closed. 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 7400.9R signed August 15, 2007, and effective September 15, 2007, 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 revoking the Class E airspace area at Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ. The USAF is restricting IFR aircraft landing at Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ, when the ATCT is closed.

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 FAAs authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. Subtitle 1, Section 106 discusses 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 revokes controlled airspace at Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ.

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 7400.9R, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 15, 2007, and effective September 15, 2007, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

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AWP AZ E2 Phoenix, Luke AFB, AZ [Revoked]

* * * * *

Issued in Seattle, Washington, on July 9, 2008.

Kevin Nolan,

Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.