2018-14529. Amendment of Class E Airspace; Mineral Point, WI

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action modifies Class E airspace designated as a surface area at Iowa County Airport, Mineral Point, WI, by making the airspace full-time and removing the part-time status and language from the airspace legal description. The Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) requested this action. This action also makes an editorial change to the airspace description by removing the city from the airport name.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, September 13, 2018. 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 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online 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 FAA Order 7400.11B at NARA, call [phone], or go to https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; 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 amends Class E airspace designated as a surface area at Iowa County Airport, Mineral Point, WI, to support instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.

History

The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (83 FR 9451; March 6, 2018) for Docket No. FAA-2018-0087 to amend Class E airspace designated as a surface area at Iowa County Airport, Mineral Point, WI, by changing the airspace to full-time and removing the part-time status and language from the airspace description. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One comment was received supporting the proposal with the understanding that the change would assist aircraft in the terminal environment with obstacle avoidance, separation services, and noise abatement. The FAA appreciates the support for this proposal and provides the following for clarification:

The development of the Class E airspace designated as a surface area at Iowa County airport takes into consideration and provides for terrain clearance within the airspace and provides for the protection of instrument procedures, taking other obstacles, such as wind turbines, into consideration; however, obstacle avoidance is ultimately the responsibility of the pilot in command.

The air traffic services currently provided by Chicago ARTCC will be the same as previously provided; however, those services will now be provided on a full-time basis.

Airspace is not designed nor meant to support noise abatement policies. Airspace is designed to support air traffic services, provide protection for and improve the safety of IFR operations. Therefore, noise abatement policies were not taken into consideration in this airspace amendment.

Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.11B, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The 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 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 modifies Class E airspace designated as a surface area at Iowa County Airport, Mineral Point, WI, by making the airspace full-time and removing the part-time status language from the airspace legal description. This amendment is made at the request of Chicago ARTCC.

This action also makes an editorial change by removing the name of the city associated with the airport in the airspace legal description to comply with a change to FAA Order 7400.2L, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters.

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 5-6.5.a. 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 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AGL WI E2 Mineral Point, WI [Amended]

Iowa County Airport, WI

(Lat. 42°53′13″ N, long. 90°14′12″ W)

Within a 4.1-mile radius of Iowa County Airport.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 28, 2018.

Walter Tweedy,

Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.