05-15855. Modification of the Los Angeles Class B Airspace Area; CA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action modifies the Los Angeles (LAX), CA, Class B airspace. Specifically, this action expands the eastern boundary of the airspace to ensure containment of the LAX Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR), and correct the inefficiencies of several existing areas identified during public meetings and Southern California TRACON (SCT) reviews of the airspace. The FAA is taking this action to improve the flow of air traffic, enhance safety, and reduce the potential for midair collision in the LAX Class B airspace, while accommodating the concerns of airspace users. Further, this effort supports the FAA's national airspace redesign goal of optimizing terminal and en route airspace to reduce aircraft delays and improve system capacity.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

0901 UTC, December 22, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules, Office of System Operations and Safety, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On March 24, 2005, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to modify the LAX Class B airspace area (70 FE 15022). The FAA proposed this action to improve several areas where boundary locations and identification could be enhanced, and modified several areas to ensure the containment of arrivals within the LAX Class B airspace. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. In response to the notice, the FAA received four written comments. All comments received were considered before making a determination on the final rule. An analysis of the comments received and the FAA's responses are summarized in the “Discussion of Comments” section.

Discussion of Comments

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) cited the work of the Southern California Airspace User Working Group (SCAUWG) and the collaborative efforts of the FAA in developing this rule. They pointed out that the overall modifications will prove beneficial to the general aviation community and result in a reduction of approximately 100 square miles of existing Class B airspace.

The Airline Pilots Association, International endorsed the proposal stating “This is a significant improvement to the current Class B airspace.”

The FAA agrees with these comments. The modifications will improve the flow of air traffic, enhance safety, and reduce the potential for midair collision in the LAX Class B airspace, while accommodating the concerns of airspace users.

One commenter stated it would be helpful for General Aviation pilots if the FAA reinstated (with multiple altitudes) a shoreline transition, so that we don't have to lose Flight following to transit LAX airspace, and then re-establish it on the other side. The commenter stated, “I think it would decrease the workload for both pilots and controllers, and increase safety.”

The FAA agrees. In concert with the SCAUWG, the Shoreline Route has been redesigned to allow uninterrupted transitions where pilots can retain Flight Following at all times. This change should become effective on or before the revised LAX Class B airspace becomes effective.

One commenter suggested the FAA use approach and climb corridors, and eliminate the need for taking 3000 square miles away from general aviation to free an airport from traffic.

The FAA does not agree. If the FAA adopted a rule in which only approach and climb corridors were used in the LAX Class B airspace, it would result in a reduced air traffic control capability to maintain an efficient flow of air traffic into and out of LAX area airports. Most certainly, the use of corridors alone would result in a drop in capacity in the LAX area because of the different performance characteristics of the various aircraft flying into and out of the area.

The Rule

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to modify the LAX Class B airspace. Specifically, this action expands the eastern boundary to ensure the containment of the LAX STAR's within Class B airspace and reconfigures several existing areas, correcting areas of inefficiencies identified during public meeting and during reviews of the existing Class B airspace by SCT. These modifications reduce the overall size of the LAX Class B airspace, improve the containment of turbo-jet aircraft within the airspace, and improve the alignment of lateral boundaries with VOR radials and visual landmarks for improved VFR navigation. The following are the revisions for each area of the LAX Class B airspace:

Area A: The east/west line along the northwestern boundary will be aligned to the SMO 267 radial to provide redundant reference for VFR navigation, and allow VFR aircraft to transition along the shoreline at Point Dume.

Area B: No change.

Area C: The east/west and northwest/southeast lines along the southern boundary will be aligned with the SLI 315 radial and PDZ 267 radial providing a redundant reference for VFR navigation.

Area D: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be aligned with the PDZ 267 radial to provide redundant reference for VFR navigation.

Area E: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be aligned with the PDZ 267 radial, and the northern boundary aligned with the SMO 086 radial. The eastern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 347 radial. This modification will align the eastern boundary with existing VOR radials to provide redundant reference for VFR navigation, and lowers the floor to 7000 feet, ensuring containment of aircraft descending on the LAX profile.

Area F: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be aligned with the with the PDZ 267 radial, and the northern boundary aligned with the SMO 086 radial. The western boundary will be aligned with Block E of the Class B airspace along the ELB 347 radial. The eastern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 357 radial. These modifications will align the boundaries with existing VOR radials providing a redundant reference for VFR navigation, and lower the floor to 8000 feet, ensuring containment of aircraft descending on the LAX profile.

Area G: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be aligned with the PDZ 267 radial, and the northern boundary aligned with the SMO 086 radial. The western boundary will be aligned with Block F along the ELB 357 radial. The eastern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 007 radial, and the POM 127 radial. The modifications will align the boundaries with existing VOR radials providing a redundant reference for VFR navigation. This area will expand the existing LAX Class B airspace slightly to ensure containment of aircraft descending on the LAX profile.

Area H: The east/west and northwest/southeast lines along the northern boundary will be aligned with the SLI 315 radial and PDZ 267 radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation.

Area I: The east/west line along the northern boundary will be aligned with the PDZ 267 radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation.

Area J: The southern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 241 radial. The eastern boundary will be shortened to end at the ELB 241 radial. The western boundaries will be realigned to the LAX 142 radial and the LGB extended runway 16R centerline. These modifications will align the boundaries with existing VOR radials where possible, providing a redundant reference for VFR navigation.

Area K: The southern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 263 radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation, and the eastern boundary will be realigned with the LGB extended runway 16R centerline.

Area L: The southern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 263 radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation.

Area M: The northern boundaries will be aligned with the SMO 267 radial and VNY 235 radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation.

Area N: The western boundary will be aligned with the VNY 235 radial. The southern boundary aligned with the SMO 267 radial. These modifications align the boundaries with existing VOR radials to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation.

Regulatory Evaluation Summary

Final Rule changes to Federal Regulations must undergo several economic analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 directs that each Federal agency shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its costs. Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires agencies to analyze the economic effect of regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the Office of Management and Budget directs agencies to assess the effect of regulatory changes on small entities changes on international trade. In conducting these analyses, the FAA has determined that this final rule: (1) Will generate benefits that justify its minimal costs and is not “a significant regulatory action” as defined in the Executive Order; (2) is not significant as defined in the Department of Transportation's Regulatory Policies and Procedures; (3) will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities; (4) will not constitute a barrier to international trade; and (5) will not contain any Federal intergovernmental or private sector mandate. These analyses are summarized below in the docket.

This final rule will modify the Los Angeles, CA, Class B airspace. The rule will expend the eastern boundary of the airspace, and alter several existing airspace.

Final Regulatory Flexibility Determination

The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) establishes “as a principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall endeavor, consistent with the objective of the rule and of applicable statues, to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale of the business, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions subject to regulation.” To achieve that principle, the RFA requires agencies to solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain the rationale for their actions. The RFA covers a wide-range of small entities, including small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and small governmental jurisdictions.

Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a proposed or final rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. If the agency determines that it will, the agency must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in the RFA.

However, if an agency determines that a proposed or final rule is not expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, section 605(b) of the RFA provides that the head of the agency may so certify and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. The certification must include a statement providing the factual basis for this determination, and the reasoning should be clear.

The FAA has determined, since Class B airspace is already in place in the LAX terminal area, and the modifications in this rule are not a major expansion, but rather a contraction of Class B airspace, minimal costs would result. Consequently, the FAA certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small aircraft manufacturers.

International Trade Impact Assessment

The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 prohibits Federal agencies from establishing any standards or engaging in related activities that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. Legitimate domestic objectives, such as safety, are not considered unnecessary obstacles. The statute also requires consideration of international standards and, where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards.

The FAA has assessed the potential effect of this final rule and determined that it will have only a domestic impact and thefore no effect on any trade-sensitive activity.

Unfunded Mandates Assessment

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (the Act) is intended, among other things, to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal mandates on State, local, and tribal governments. Title II of the Act requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement assessing the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final agency rule that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in any one year by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate is deemed to be a “significant regulatory action.” The FAA currently uses an inflation-adjusted value of $120.7 million in lieu of $100 million.

This final rule does not contain such a mandate. The requirements of Title II do not apply.

Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-511), there are no requirements for information collection associated with this action.

Conclusion

In view of the minimal or zero cost of compliance of this action and the enhancements to operational efficiency, the FAA has determined that this action would be cost-beneficial.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

• Airspace
• Incorporation by reference
• Navigation (air)

The Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. 289.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 30, 2004, and effective September 16, 2004, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 3000 Subpart B—Class B Airspace.

* * * * *

AWP CA B Los Angeles, CA [Revised]

Los Angeles International Airport (Primary Airport)

(lat. 33°56′55″ N., long. 118°24′49″ W.)

Area A. That airspace extending upward from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 33°59′50″ N., long. 118°44′43″ W.

Lat. 34°00′23″ N., long. 118°32′33″ W.

Lat. 33°57′42″ N., long. 118°27′23″ W. Ballone Creek/Pacific Ocean

Lat. 33°57′42″ N., long. 118°22′10″ W. Manchester/405 Fwy

Lat. 34°01′00″ N., long. 118°15′00″ W.

Lat. 33°55′48″ N., long. 118°13′52″ W. SLI 315 12.4 DME

Lat. 33°55′51″ N., long. 118°26′05″ W. Imperial Hwy/Pacific Ocean

Lat. 33°45′34″ N., long. 118°27′01″ W. LIMBO intersection

Lat. 33°45′14″ N., long. 118°32′29″ W. INISH intersection

to point of beginning.

Area B. That airspace extending upward from 2,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 34°01′00″ N., long. 118°15′00″ W.

Lat. 34°00′01″ N., long. 118°07′58″ W. Garfield/Washington Blvd

Lat. 33°56′10″ N., long. 118°07′21″ W. Stonewood Center

Lat. 33°55′48″ N., long. 118°13′52″ W. SLI 315 12.4 DME

to point of beginning.

Area C. That airspace extending upward from 2,500 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 34°57′42″ N., long. 118°22′10″ W. Manchester/405 Fwy

Lat. 34°00′20″ N., long. 118°23′05″ W. West Los Angeles College

Lat. 34°02′49″ N., long. 118°21′48″ W.

Lat. 34°06′00″ N., long. 118°14′24″ W. Railroad Freight Yard

Lat. 34°06′00″ N., long. 118°11′23″ W. Ernest E. Debs Regional Park

Lat. 34°02′03″ N., long. 118°03′39″ W. Legg Lake

Lat. 33°58′40″ N., long. 118°01′49″ W. Whittier College

Lat. 33°53′44″ N., long. 118°01′52″ W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME

Lat. 33°53′17″ N., long. 118°10′50″ W. Dominguez High School

Lat. 33°55′48″ N., long. 118°13′52″ W. SLI 315 12.4 DME

Lat. 33°56′10″ N., long. 118°07′21″ W. Stonewood Center

Lat. 34°00′01″ N., long. 118°07′58″ W. Garfield/Washington Blvd

Lat. 34°01′00″ N., long. 118°15′00″ W.

to point of beginning.

Area D. That airspace extending upward from 4,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 34°06′00″ N., long. 118°11′23″ W. Ernest E. Bebs Regional Park

Lat. 34°00′45″ N., long. 117°54′03″ W.

Lat. 33°57′40″ N., long. 117°53′35″ W.

Lat. 33°54′04″ N., long. 117°54′35″ W. Brea Municipal Golf Course

Lat. 33°53′44″ N., long. 118°01′52″ W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME

Lat. 33°58′40″ N., long. 118°01′49″ W. Whittier College

Lat. 34°02′03″ N., long. 118°03′39″ W. Legg Lake

to point of beginning.

Area E. That airspace extending upward from 7,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 33°54′00″ N., long. 117°54′35″ W. Brea Municipal Golf Course

Lat. 33°54′23″ N., long. 117°47′42″ W.

Lat. 34°02′42″ N., long. 117°50′00″ W. Mt. San Antonio College

Lat. 34°02′22″ N., long. 117°59′23″ W.

Lat. 34°02′22″ N., long. 117°59′23″ W.

Lat. 34°00′45″ N., long. 117°54′03″ W.

Lat. 33°57′40″ N., long. 117°53′35″ W.

to point of beginning.

Area F. That airspace extending upward from 8,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 33°54′23″ N., long. 117°47′42″ W. PDZ 267 ELB 347

Lat. 33°54′31″ N., long. 117°44′45″ W. PDZ 267 ELB 357

Lat. 34°02′57″ N., long. 117°45′16″ W. SMO 086 ELB 357

Lat. 34°02′42″ N., long. 117°50′00″ W. SMO 086 Mt. San Antonio College

to point of beginning.

Area G. That airspace extending upward from 9,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 33°54′31″ N., long. 117°44′45″ W. PDZ 267 ELB 357

Lat. 33°54′39″ N., long. 117°41′48″ W. PDZ 267 ELB 007

Lat. 34°00′44″ N., long. 117°40′54″ W. ELB 007 POM 127

Lat. 34°02′59″ N., long. 117°44′29″ W. SMO 086 POM 127

Lat. 34°02′57″ N., long. 117°45′16″ W. SMO 086 ELB 357

to point of beginning.

Area H. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 33°53′44″ N., long. 118°01′52″ W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME

Lat. 33°47′00″ N., long. 118°03′17″ W. Seal Beach VORTAC Los Alamitos AFRC

Lat. 33°46′40″ N., long. 118°08′53″ W. SLI 266 4.7 DME

Lat. 33°45′34″ N., long. 118°27′01″ W. LIMBO Intersection

Lat. 33°55′51″ N., long. 118°26′05″ W. Imperial Hwy/Pacific Ocean

Lat. 33°55′48″ N., long. 118°13′52″ W. SLI 315 12.4 DME

Lat. 33°53′17″ N., long. 118°10′50″ W. Dominguez High School

to point of beginning.

Area I. That airspace extending upward from 6,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 33°54′04″ N., long. 117°54′35″ W. Brea Municipal Golf Course

Lat. 33°47′23″ N., long. 117°57′40″ W. Garden Grove Mall

Lat. 33°47′00″ N., long. 118°03′17″ W. Seal Beach VORACT/Los Alamitos AFRC

Lat. 33°53′44″ N., long. 118°01′52″ W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME

to point of beginning.

Area J. That airspace extending upward from 7,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 33°47′23″ N., long. 117°57′40″ W. Garden Grove Mall

Lat. 33°35′52″ N., long. 117°53′59″ W. Newport Bay/ELB 241 9.7 DME

Lat. 33°31′34″ N., long. 118°03′11″ W. ELB 241 18.5 DME

Lat. 33°37′56″ N., long. 118°09′04″ W. LAX 142 22.7 DME

Lat. 33°46′56″ N., long. 118°08′53″ W. SLI 266 4.7 DME

Lat. 33°47′00″ N., long. 118°03′17″ W. Seal Beach VORTAC/Los Alamitos AFRC

to point of beginning.

Area K. That airspace extending upward from 8,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 33°37′56″ N., long. 118°09′04″ W. LAX 142 22.7 DME

Lat. 33°36′09″ N., long. 118°25′38″ W. ELB 263 35.1 DME

Lat. 33°45′34″ N., long. 118°27′01″ W. LIMBO Intersection

Lat. 33°46′40″ N., long. 118°08′53″ W. SLI 266 4.7 DME

to point of beginning.

Area L. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 33°36′09″ N., long. 118°25′38″ W. ELB 263 35.1 DME

Lat. 33°35′11″ N., long. 118°34′31″ W. ELB 263 42.6 DME

Lat. 33°44′27″ N., long. 118°42′23″ W. SLI 266 32.7 DME

Lat. 33°45′14″ N., long. 118°32′29″ W. INISH Intersection

Lat. 33°45′34″ N., long. 118°27′01″ W. LIMBO Intersection

to point of beginning.

Area M. That airspace extending upward from 2,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 33°44′27″ N., long. 118°42′23″ W. SLI 266 32.7 DME

Lat. 33°58′48″ N., long. 118°54′27″ W. VNY 235 25.3 DME

Lat. 33°59′26″ N., long. 118°53′23″ W. VNY 235 SMO 267

Lat. 33°59′50″ N., long. 118°44′43″ W.

Lat. 33°45′14″ N., long. 118°32′29″ W. INISH Intersection

to point of beginning.

Area N. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to and including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at

Lat. 33°59′26″ N., long. 118°53′23″ W. VNY 235 24.2 DME

Lat. 34°06′00″ N., long. 118°42′12″ W. VNY 235 12.9 DME

Lat. 34°06′00″ N., long. 118°14′24″ W. Railroad Freight Yard

Lat. 34°02′49″ N., long. 118°21′48″ W.

Lat. 34°00′20″ N., long. 118°23′05″ W. West Los Angeles College

Lat. 33°57′42″ N., long. 118°22′10″ W. Manchester/405 Fwy

Lat. 33°57′42″ N., long. 118°27′23″ W. Ballona Creek/Pacific Ocean

Lat. 34°00′23″ N., long. 118°32′33″ W. SMO 267 4.3 DME

Lat. 33°59′50″ N., long. 118°44′43″ W.

to point of beginning.

* * * * *

Issued in Washington DC, on August 4, 2005.

Edith V. Parish,

Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules.