04-15115. Modification of Class E Airspace; Columbus, NE

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Direct final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR 71) by revising Class E airspace areas at Columbus, NE. A review of the Class E airspace surface area and the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Columbus, NE reveals neither reflects the current Columbus Municipal Airport airport reference point (ARP). Also neither airspace area complies with criteria for extensions or for diverse departures. These airspace areas are modified to conform to provide controlled airspace of appropriate dimensions to protect aircraft departing and executing Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) to Columbus Municipal Airport. It modifies the extensions to both Columbus, NE Class E airspace areas, enlarges these airspace areas and brings their legal descriptions into compliance with FAA Orders.

DATES:

This direct final rule is effective on 0901 UTC, September 30, 2004. Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before August 10, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments on this proposal to the Docket Management System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify the docket number FAA-2004-18013/Airspace Docket No. 04-ACE-42, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. You may review the public docket containing the proposal, 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 [phone]) is on the plaza level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brenda Mumper, Air Traffic Division, Airspace Branch, ACE-520A, DOT Regional Headquarters Building, Federal Aviation Administration, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 modifies the Class E surface area and the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Columbus, NE. An examination of controlled airspace for Columbus, NE revealed that the Columbus Municipal Airport ARP used in the legal descriptions for both Class E airspace areas is incorrect. The Class E surface area is enlarged from a 4 to a 4.7-mile radius of the airport, its southeast extension reduced in width from 2.6 to 1.4 miles each side of center and its northwest extension redefined relative to the Platte Center nondirectional radio beacon (NDB) and reduced in width from 3.5 to 1.9 miles each side of center. The Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is increased from a 6.6-mile radius to a 7.7-mile radius of the airport, its southeast extension is extended 1.5 miles and reduced in width from 4.2 to 1.6 miles each side of center and its northwest extension redefined relative to the Platte Center NDB and reduced in width from 4 to 1.9 miles each side of center. These modifications bring the legal descriptions of the Columbus, NE Class E airspace areas into compliance with FAA Orders 7400.2E, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters, and 8260.19C, Flight Procedures and Airspace. Class E airspace areas designated as surface areas are published in Paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9L, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 2, 2003, and effective September 16, 2003, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth are published in Paragraph 6005 of the same Order. The Class E airspace designations 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. Previous actions of this nature have not been controversial and have not resulted in adverse comments or objections. 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

Interested parties are invited to participate in this 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 and be submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket No. FAA-2004-18013/Airspace Docket No. 04-ACE-42.” The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.

Agency Findings

The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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, I certify that this regulation (1) is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a “significant rule” under Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, 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

Accordingly, 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; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

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

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(6), 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 7400.9L, dated September 2, 2003, and effective September 16, 2003, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ACE NE E2 Columbus, NE

Columbus Municipal Airport, NE

(Lat. 41°26′53″ N., long. 97°20′34″ W.)

Columbus VOR/DME

(Lat. 41°27′00″ N., long. 97°20′27″ W.)

Platte Center NDB

(Lat. 41°29′48″ N., long. 97°22′54″ W.)

Within a 4.7-mile radius of Columbus Municipal Airport and within 1.4 miles each side of the Columbus VOR/DME 157° radial extending from the 4.7-mile radius of the airport to 7 miles southeast of the VOR/DME and within 1.4 miles each side of the Columbus VOR/DME 317° radial extending from the 4.7-mile radius of the airport to 7 miles northwest of the VOR/DME and within 1.9 miles each side of the 330° bearing from Platt Center NDB extending from the 4.7-mile radius of the airport to 7 miles northwest of the NDB.

* * * * *

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

* * * * *

ACE NE E5 Columbus, NE

Columbus Municipal Airport, NE

(Lat. 41°26′53″ N., long. 97°20′34″ W.)

Columbus VOR/DME

(Lat. 41°27′00″ N., long. 97°20′27″ W.)

Platte Center NDB

(Lat. 41°29′48″ N., long. 97°22′54″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.7-mile radius of Columbus Municipal Airport and within 1.6 miles each side of the Columbus VOR/DME 157° radial extending from the 7.7-mile radius of the airport to 11 miles southeast of the VOR/DME and within 1.9 miles each side of the 330° bearing from Platt Center NDB extending from the 4.7-mile radius of the airport to 7 miles northwest of the NDB.

* * * * *

Issued in Kansas City, MO, on June 24, 2004.

Paul J. Sheridan,

Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Central Region.