E8-17558. Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Altus AFB, OK

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Direct final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Class D and Class E airspace at Altus Air Force Base (AFB), Altus OK. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). This action is necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Altus AFB, OK.

DATES:

Effective Dates: 0901 UTC September 25, 2008. Comments must be received by September 22, 2008. 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.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments on this direct final rule to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify the docket number FAA-2008-0339/Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-5, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://regulations.gov. You may review the public docket containing the direct final rule, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office, telephone number 1-800-647-5527, is on the ground floor of the building at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gary Mallett, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0530; telephone number [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse or negative comments, and, therefore, issues it as a direct final rule. Unless a written adverse or negative comment or a written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment is received within the comment period, the regulation will become effective on the date specified above. After the close of the comment period, the FAA will publish a document in the Federal Register indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received and confirming the effective date of the rule. If the FAA receives, within the comment period, an adverse or negative comment, or written comment notice of intent to submit such a comment, a document withdrawing the direct final rule will be published in the Federal Register, and a notice of proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment period.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a direct final rule, and was not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing reasoned regulatory decisions on the direct final rule. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the direct final rule. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this rule must submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket No. FAA-2008-0339, Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-5.” The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter. Communications should identify both docket numbers and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES above or through the Web site. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn in light of the comments received.

The Rule

This action amends Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by providing additional Class D controlled airspace extending upward from the surface and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Altus AFB. Additional controlled Class D and Class E airspace is necessary for the safety of IFR operations at Altus AFB. The area will be depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts. The Class D and E airspace areas are published in paragraphs 5000 and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9R, dated August 15, 2007 and effective September 15, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and E airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

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 provides additional controlled airspace at Altus AFB, OK.

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 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 part 71.1 of Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9R, Airspace Designation and Reporting Points, signed August 15, 2007, and effective September 15, 2007, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASW OK D Altus, OK [Amended]

Altus AFB, OK

(Lat. 34°39′01″ N., long. 99°16′00″ W.)

Altus AFB ILS Localizer

(Lat. 34°38′31″ N., long. 99°16′26″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 3,900 feet MSL within a 6-mile radius of Altus AFB and within 2 miles each side of the Altus AFB ILS 17R Localizer north course extending from the 6-mile radius to 7.6 miles north of the airport. 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 Airport/Facility Directory.

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

ASW OK E5 Altus, OK [Amended]

Altus AFB, OK

(Lat. 34°39′01″ N., long. 99°16′00″ W.)

Altus VORTAC

(Lat. 34°39′46″ N., long. 99°16′16″ W.)

Altus/Quartz Mountain Regional Airport, OK

(Lat. 34°41′56″ N., long. 99°20′19″ W.)

Tipton Municipal Airport, OK

(Lat. 34°27′31″ N., long. 99°10′17″ W.)

Frederick Municipal Airport, OK

(Lat. 34°21′07″ N., long. 98°59′02″ W.)

Altus AFB ILS Localizer

(Lat. 34°38′31″ N., long. 99°16′26″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 9.1-mile radius of Altus AFB and within 1.6 miles each side of the 1850 radial of the Altus VORTAC extending from the 9.1-mile radius to 11.9 miles south of the Alms AFB and within 3 miles west and 2 miles east of the Altus AFB ILS 1 7R Localizer north course extending from the 9.1-mile radius to 15 miles north of the Altus AFB and within a 6.5-mile radius of the Altus/Quartz Mountain Regional Airport, and within a 5.4-mile radius of Tipton Municipal Airport, and within a 7.2-mile radius of the Frederick Municipal Airport, and within 2.5 miles each side of the 180° bearing from the Frederick Municipal Airport extending from the 7.2-mile radius to 7.7 miles south of the Frederick Municipal Airport and within a 12-mile radius of the Altus AFB beginning at a point 3 miles west of the Altus VORTAC 019° radial, thence clockwise along the 12-mile radius of the Altus AFB, ending at a point 3 miles west of the Altus VORTAC 185° radial.

* * * * *

Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on July 3, 2008.

Richard H. Farrell III,

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