2017-13989. Amendment of Class D and E Airspace; Tucson, AZ

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule, technical amendment.

SUMMARY:

This action amends the legal description of the Class E airspace designated as an extension, at Ryan Field, Tucson, AZ, eliminating the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of this airport in the associated Class D and E airspace areas to match the FAA's current aeronautical database. This action does not affect the charted boundaries or operating requirements of the airspace.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, August 17, 2017. 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 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES:

FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on line at http://www.faa.gov/​air_​traffic/​publications/​. For further information, you can contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone]. The Order is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/​federal_​register/​code_​of_​federal-regulations/​ibr_​locations.html.

FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert LaPlante, Federal Aviation Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for This Rulemaking

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 removes NOTAM part-time information for Class E airspace designated as an extension, and amends the geographic coordinates in the associated Class D and E airspace for Ryan Field, Tucson, AZ.

History

The FAA Aeronautical Information Services branch found the Class E airspace designated as an extension, for Ryan Field, Tucson, AZ, as published in FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, does not require part time status. Also, after a review, the FAA found the geographic coordinates referenced in the airspace legal descriptions under Class D and Class E airspace for Ryan Field, Tucson, AZ, do not match the FAA's current aeronautical database. This action makes these updates.

Additionally, an editorial change is made to the Class D and Class E airspace legal descriptions replacing Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement.

Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11A dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document amends FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 2016. FAA Order 7400.11A is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11A lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

This action amends Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by eliminating the following language from the legal description of Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D at Ryan Field, Tucson, AZ, “This Class E airspace is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory”. Also, this action updates the geographic coordinates of Ryan Field airport in the associated Class D and Class E airspace areas for the airport to match the FAA's current aeronautical database. Lastly, this action replaces the outdated term Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the Class D and E airspace legal descriptions.

This action is an administrative change and does not affect the boundaries, altitudes, or operating requirements of the airspace, therefore, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

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 only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated, does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures,” paragraph 5-6.5a. This airspace action is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment.

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(f), 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 FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, effective September 15, 2016, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AWP AZ D Tucson-Ryan Field, AZ [Amended]

Tucson-Ryan Field, AZ

(Lat. 32°08′32″ N., long. 111°10′28″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface up to but not including 4,200 feet MSL within a 4-mile radius of Tucson-Ryan Field. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AWP AZ E2 Tucson-Ryan Field, AZ [Amended]

Tucson-Ryan Field, AZ

(Lat. 32°08′32″ N., long. 111°10′28″ W.)

Within a 4-mile radius of Tucson-Ryan Field. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

AWP AZ E4 Tucson-Ryan Field, AZ [Amended]

Tucson-Ryan Field, AZ

(Lat. 32°08′32″ N., long. 111°10′28″ W.)

Ryan NDB

(Lat. 32°08′20″ N., long. 111°09′41″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.8 miles each side of the Tucson-Ryan Runway 6 Localizer extending from the 4-mile radius of Tucson-Ryan Field to 6.1 miles southwest of the airport, and within 1.8 miles each side of the 317° bearing from the Ryan NDB extending from the 4-mile radius of Tucson-Ryan Field to 6.1 miles northwest of the airport.

Issued in Seattle, Washington, on June 26, 2017.

Sam S.L. Shrimpton,

Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.