2011-18169. Amendment of Class E Airspace; Staunton, VA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Class E surface airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, Staunton, VA. The Bridgewater Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed for the airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, October 20, 2011. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Fornito, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On March 18, 2011, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend Class E airspace at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, Staunton, VA (76 FR 14822) Docket No. FAA-2010-1285.

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 7400.9U dated August 18, 2010, and effective September 15, 2010, 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 the Order.

The Rule

This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface to support new SIAPs developed at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, Staunton, VA. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Bridgewater NDB and cancellation of the NDB approach.

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, is non-controversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. 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.

The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, 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 Class E airspace at Staunton, VA.

Lists 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 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 Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9U, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 18, 2010, effective September 15, 2010, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

AEA VA E5 Staunton, VA [Amended]

Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, VA

(Lat. 38°15′50″ N., long. 78°53′47″ W.)

Bridgewater Air Park, VA

(Lat 38° 22′00″; N., long 78° 57′37″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.6-mile radius of the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport and within 4 miles either side of the 218° bearing from the airport extending from the 7.6-mile radius to16.4 miles southwest of the airport and within 4 miles either side of the 038° bearing from the airport extending from the 7.6-mile radius to 13.5 miles northeast of the airport and within a 8.3-mile radius of the Bridgewater Air Park and within 1.5 miles either side of the 338° bearing from the airport extending from the 8.3-mile radius to 10 miles northwest of the airport.

Issued in College Park, Georgia, on July 11, 2011.

Mark D. Ward,

Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization.