2020-20739. Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; DuBois, PA  

  • Start Preamble Start Printed Page 59465

    AGENCY:

    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

    ACTION:

    Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

    SUMMARY:

    This action proposes to amend Class E surface airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in DuBois, PA, due to the decommissioning of the Clarion VORTAC and cancellation of the associated approach at DuBois Regional Airport. This action would also update the name of the airport, as well as the name and geographic coordinates of Penn Highlands Healthcare-DuBois Heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

    DATES:

    Comments must be received on or before November 6, 2020.

    ADDRESSES:

    Send comments on this proposal 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; Telephone: (800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify the Docket No. FAA-2020-0826; Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-15, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

    FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on-line 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 7400.11E at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    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 would amend Class E airspace at DuBois Regional Airport, DuBois, PA, to support IFR operations in the area.

    Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on this proposed rulemaking 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 proposal. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.

    Communications should identify both docket numbers (Docket No. FAA-2020-0826 and Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-15) and be submitted in triplicate to DOT Docket Operations (see ADDRESSES section for the address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

    Persons wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to FAA Docket No. FAA-2020-0826; Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-15.” The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.

    All communications received before the specified closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this document may be changed in light of the comments received. All comments submitted will be available for examination in the public docket both before and after the comment closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

    Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://www.faa.gov/​air_​traffic/​publications/​airspace_​amendments/​.

    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office (see the ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. An informal docket may also be examined between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 350, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337.

    Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations, and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available, as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

    The Proposal

    The FAA proposes an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend Class E surface airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at DuBois Regional Airport (previously Du Bois-Jefferson County Airport), DuBois, PA, due to the decommissioning of the Clarion VORTAC and cancellation of the associated approach. In addition, the FAA proposes to update the airport's name and the name and geographic coordinates of Penn Highland Healthcare-DuBois Heliport (previously Du Bois Regional Medical Center) to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

    Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 6002 and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11E, Start Printed Page 59466dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, 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.

    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 proposed 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 minimal. Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed 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.

    Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures” prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

    Start List of Subjects

    Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    • Airspace
    • Incorporation by reference
    • Navigation (air)
    End List of Subjects

    The Proposed Amendment

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

    Start Part

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

    End Part Start Amendment Part

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

    End Amendment Part Start Authority

    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.

    End Authority
    [Amended]
    Start Amendment Part

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations, and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

    End Amendment Part

    Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.

    * * * * *

    AEA PA E2 DuBois, PA [Amended]

    DuBois Regional Airport, PA

    (Lat. 41°10′42″ N, long. 78°53′55″ W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.8-mile radius of DuBois Regional Airport. This Class E airspace is effective during the dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

    Paragraph 6005. Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward from 700 feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

    * * * * *

    AEA PA E5 DuBois, PA [Amended]

    DuBois Regional Airport, PA

    (Lat. 41°10′42″ N, long. 78°53′55″ W)

    Penn Highland Healthcare-Dubois Heliport Point In Space Coordinates

    (Lat. 41°6′52″ N, long. 78°46′26″ W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface within a 9.2-mile radius of DuBois Regional Airport and within a 6-mile radius of the Point In Space Coordinates serving Penn Highland Healthcare-Dubois Heliport

    Start Signature

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on September 15, 2020.

    Matthew N. Cathcart,

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

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 2020-20739 Filed 9-21-20; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Document Information

Published:
09/22/2020
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
2020-20739
Dates:
Comments must be received on or before November 6, 2020.
Pages:
59465-59466 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FAA-2020-0826, Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-15
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:
2020-20739.Pdf
Supporting Documents:
» Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Dubois, PA
» Amendment of Class E Airspace: DuBois, PA
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 71.1