2020-17306. Amendment of Class E Airspace; Ithaca, NY  

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    AGENCY:

    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

    ACTION:

    Final rule.

    SUMMARY:

    This action amends Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, Ithaca, NY due to the decommissioning of the Ithaca VOR/DME, and cancellation of associated approaches. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

    DATES:

    Effective 0901 UTC, November 5, 2020. 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 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://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: (202) 267-8783. The Order is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of FAA Order 7400.11D at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    John Fornito, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 Columbia Ave, College Park, GA 30337; telephone (404) 305-6364.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rule 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 Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, Ithaca, NY to support IFR operations in the area.

    History

    The FAA published a notice of prosed rulemaking in the Federal Register (85 FR 33589, June 2, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2020-0242 to amend Class E surface airspace and Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, Ithaca, NY, due to the decommissioning of the Ithaca VOR/DME, and cancellation of the associated approaches.

    The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) also proposed to update the airport name in the descriptor by removing the city in the airport's header.

    Also, subsequent to publication of the NPRM, the FAA found the geographic coordinates of Ithaca Airport were transposed. This action corrects that error.

    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 Paragraphs 6002, and 6004, respectively of FAA Order 7400.11D, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, 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 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic routes, and reporting points.Start Printed Page 47895

    The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 amends Class E surface airspace and Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, Ithaca, NY, by removing the northwest extension in the Class E surface area (2.7 miles each side of the Ithaca VOR/DME 305° radial extending from the 4-mile radius of the airport to 7.4 miles northwest of the Ithaca VOR/DME) for the VOR approach, due to the decommissioning of the Ithaca VOR/DME, and cancellation of the associated approaches. Also, this action updates the airport name in the descriptor by removing the city in the airport's header. In addition, subsequent to publication of the NPRM, the FAA found the geographic coordinates of Ithaca Airport were transposed. This action corrects that error.

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

    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. 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 an 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.

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    Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    • Airspace
    • Incorporation by reference
    • Navigation (air)
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    Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

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    PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

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    1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

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    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

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    [Amended]
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    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

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    Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.

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    AEA NY E2 Ithaca, NY [Amended]

    Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, NY

    (Lat. 42°29′29″ N, long. 76°27′31″ W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4-mile radius of Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport and that airspace extending upward from the surface from the 4-mile radius of the airport to the 5.7-mile radius of the airport clockwise from the 329° bearing to the 081° bearing from the airport; that airspace from the 4-mile radius of the airport to the 8.7-mile radius of the airport extending clockwise from the 081° bearing to the 137° bearing from the airport; that airspace from the 4-mile radius of the airport to the 6.6-mile radius of the airport extending clockwise from the 137° bearing to the 170° bearing from the airport; that airspace from the 4-mile radius to the 5.7-mile radius of the airport extending clockwise from the 170° bearing to the 196° bearing from the airport. This Class E airspace is effective during the times and dates established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

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

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    AEA NY E4 Ithaca, NY [Amended]

    Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, NY

    (Lat. 42°29′29″ N, long. 76°27′31″ W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface from the 4-mile radius of the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport to the 5.7-mile radius of the airport; clockwise from the 329° bearing to the 081° bearing from the airport; that airspace from the 4-mile radius of Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport to the 8.7-mile radius of the airport extending clockwise from the 081° bearing to the 137° from the airport; that airspace from the 4-mile radius of Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport; to the 6.6-mile radius of the airport, extending clockwise from the 137° bearing to the 170° bearing from the airport; that airspace from the 4-mile radius to the 5.7-mile radius of the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, extending clockwise from the 170° bearing to the 196° bearing from the airport; and within 2.2 each side of the 324° bearing from the airport extending from the 4-mile radius to 7.2 miles northwest of the airport.

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    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on August 4, 2020.

    Matthew N. Cathcart,

    Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization.

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    [FR Doc. 2020-17306 Filed 8-6-20; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/5/2020
Published:
08/07/2020
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
2020-17306
Dates:
Effective 0901 UTC, November 5, 2020. 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.
Pages:
47894-47895 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FAA-2020-0242, Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-4
RINs:
2120-AA66: Airspace Actions
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA66/airspace-actions
Topics:
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air)
PDF File:
2020-17306.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» Amendment of Class E Airspace: Ithaca, NY
» Amendment of Class E Airspace: Ithaca, NY
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 71.1