[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 182 (Monday, September 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50140-50142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25208]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 98-AWP-21]
Revision of Class D Airspace; San Diego-Gillespie Field, CA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This action will revise the Class D airspace at San Diego-
Gillespie Field, CA by lowering the ceiling of the Class D airspace
area from 2,900 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) to 2,400 feet MSL. The
proposed modification of the San Diego, CA, Class B airspace area would
create a narrow 300 foot corridor northeast of Gillespie Field. This
corridor would reduce the available airspace for aircraft that are
approaching or overflying Gillespie Field from the northeast. Lowering
the Gillespie Field Class D airspace ceiling will create an 800 foot
corridor along this same route, thereby increasing navigable airspace
for aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC December 31, 1998. Comment date: Comments for
inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before October 21,
1998.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on the direct final rule in triplicate to:
Federal Aviation Administration, Attn: Manager, Airspace Branch, AWP-
520, Docket No. 98-AWP-21, Air Traffic Division, P.O. Box 92007,
Worldway Postal Center, Los Angeles, California 90009.
The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant
Chief Counsel, Western-Pacific Region, Federal Aviation Administration,
Room 6007, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California 90261.
An informal docket may also be examined during normal business
hours at the Office of the Manager, Airspace Branch, Air Traffic
Division at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Trindle, Air Traffic Division,
Airspace Specialist, AWP-520.10, Western-Pacific Region, Federal
[[Page 50141]]
Aviation Administration, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California
90261, telephone (310) 725-6613.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment to 14 CFR 71 revises the
Class D airspace at San Diego-Gillespie Field, CA by lowering the
ceiling of the Class D from 2,900 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) to 2,400
feet MSL. On May 19, 1998, the FAA published a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (NPRM) to modify the San Diego, CA, Class B airspace area. A
comment on the NPRM was received indicating that the proposed
modification to the San Diego Class B airspace would create a 300 foot
corridor northeast of Gillespie Field. This corridor will result from
lowering the floor of the San Diego Class B airspace area ``I'' from
3,800 feet MSL to 3,200 feet MSL. The above mentioned corridor would
exist over the upper limit of the Gillespie Field Class D airspace area
when aircraft are approaching or overflying Gillespie Field from the
northeast. After careful analysis of the Gillespie Field Class D
airspace area and the adjacent San Diego Class B airspace area, the FAA
agrees with the comment and proposes lowering the Gillespie Field Class
D airspace ceiling to create an 800 foot corridor, thereby increasing
navigable airspace for aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules
(VFR). Class D airspace areas are published in Paragraph 5000 of FAA
Order 7400.9F dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16,
1998, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D
airspace designation listed in this document will be published
subsequently in the Order.
The Direct Final Rule Procedure
The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse
or negative comment and therefore is issuing it as a direct final rule.
This action revises controlled airspace associated with San Diego-
Gillespie Field, CA. The intended effect of this action is to remove
controlled airspace where no longer required and to increase navigable
airspace for aircraft operating VFR. 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 date on which the final rule will become effective.
If the FAA does receive, within the comment period, an adverse or
negative comment, or written 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 final rule and was not
preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rule Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. 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. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of this action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
action will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 98-AWP-21.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Agency Findings
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For the reasons
discussed in the preamble, this regulation only involves an established
body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments
are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this
regulation--(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 will not have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS.
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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; 14 CFR 11.69.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16,
1998, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace
* * * * *
AWP CA D San Diego-Gillespie Field, CA [Revised]
San Diego-Gillespie Field, CA
(Lat. 32 deg.49'34''N, long. 116 deg.58'21''W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,400 feet MSL within a 4.3 mile radius of San Diego-Gillespie
Field, excluding that airspace within the San Diego, CA, Class B
airspace area and the Miramar NAS, CA, Class E airspace area. This
Class D airspace area is effective during the dates and times
established in advance by a Notice to
[[Page 50142]]
Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously
published in the Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *
Issued in Los Angeles, California, on September 11, 1998.
Leonard A. Mobley,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 98-25208 Filed 9-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
