2011-22876. Amendment of Class D Airspace; Eglin AFB, FL

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Class D Airspace in the Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), FL airspace area. The Destin Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approaches have been developed for Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport that enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action also corrects the geographic coordinates of Eglin AFB, Duke Field, and Hulbert Field.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, October 20, 2011. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Fornito, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On July 1, 2011, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend Class D airspace in the Eglin AFB, FL area (76 FR 38580) Docket No. FAA-2011-0087. Subsequent to publication, the FAA found that the latitude coordinates for Eglin AFB were not rounded up. This rule makes that correction. Also, this action adjusts the geographic coordinates for Duke Field and Hurlburt Field. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One comment was received supporting this action. Class D airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000 of FAA Order 7400.9U dated August 18, 2010, and effective September 15, 2010, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order. With the exception of editorial changes, and the changes described above, this rule is the same as that proposed in the NPRM.

The Rule

This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 amends the Class D airspace in the Eglin AFB, FL area to accommodate new standard instrument approach procedures developed for Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. The Destin NDB has been decommissioned, and the NDB approach cancelled. The existing Class D airspace extending upward from the surface is being modified for the safety and management of IFR operations. This action also rounds up the latitude coordinates of Eglin AFB from `lat. 30°28.59′59″ N. to 30°29′00″ N., and adjusts the geographic coordinates of Duke Field and Hurlburt Field to be in concert with the FAAs aeronautical database.

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 amends controlled airspace in the Eglin AFB, FL area.

Lists 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 71.1 of Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9U, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 18, 2010, effective September 15, 2010, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.

* * * * *

ASO FL D Eglin Air Force Base, FL [Amended]

Eglin Air Force Base, FL

(Lat. 30°29′00″ N., long. 86°31′34″ W.)

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

(Lat. 30°24′00″ N., long. 86°28′17″ W.)

Duke Field

(Lat. 30°39′01″ N., long. 86°31′22″ W.)

Hurlburt Field

(Lat. 30°25′44″ N., long. 86°41′22″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,600 feet MSL within a 5.5-mile radius of Eglin AFB, and within a 4.4-mile radius of Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, excluding the portion north of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection within a 5.2-mile radius centered on Duke Field; excluding the portion southwest of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection within a 5.3-mile radius of Hurlburt Field; excluding a portion east of a line beginning at lat. 30°30′43″ N., long. 86°26′21″ W. extending east to the 5.5-mile radius of Eglin AFB.

Issued in College Park, Georgia, on August 29, 2011.

Barry A. Knight,

Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization.