2011-30489. Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Baltimore, MD

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Class D and Class E airspace at Baltimore, MD, as the Martin Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed at Martin State Airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the Baltimore VORTAC and makes a minor adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, February 9, 2012. 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 August 31, 2011, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class D and E airspace at Martin State Airport, Baltimore, MD (76 FR 54153). Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. Subsequent to publication, the FAA found that the geographic coordinates for Martin State Airport and navigation aid needed to be adjusted. This action makes that adjustment. Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000, 6002, and 6004 respectively of FAA Order 7400.9V dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and E airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 amends Class D airspace and Class E surface airspace and Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D surface area. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Martin NDB and cancellation of the NDB approach, and for continued safety and management of IFR operations at the airport. The geographic coordinates for the Baltimore VORTAC and Martin State Airport also are adjusted to coincide with the FAA's 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 at Martin State Airport, Baltimore, MD.

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 7400.9V, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 9, 2011, effective September 15, 2011, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace

* * * * *

AEA MD D Baltimore, Martin State Airport, MD [Amended]

Martin State Airport, Baltimore, MD

(Lat. 39°19′54″ N., long. 76°24′83″ W.)

Baltimore VORTAC

(Lat. 39°10′12″ N., long. 76°39′30″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL within a 5.2-mile radius of Martin State Airport and within 4.4 miles each side of a 14.7-mile radius arc of the Baltimore VORTAC extending clockwise from the Baltimore VORTAC 030° radial to the VORTAC 046° radial, excluding that airspace within the Washington Tri-Area Class B airspace area and Restricted Areas R-4001A and R-4001B when they are in effect. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas

* * * * *

AEA MD E2 Baltimore, Martin State Airport, MD [Amended]

Martin State Airport, MD

(Lat. 39°19′54″ N., long. 76°24′83″ W.)

Baltimore VORTAC

(Lat. 39°10′12″ N., long. 76°39′30″ W.)

Within a 5.2-mile radius of Martin State Airport and within 4.4 miles each side of a 14.7-mile radius arc of the Baltimore VORTAC extending clockwise from the Baltimore VORTAC 030° radial to the VORTAC 046° radial, excluding that airspace within the Washington Tri-Area Class B airspace area and Restricted Areas R-4001A and R-4001B when they are in effect. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory.

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

* * * * *

AEA MD E4 Baltimore, Martin State Airport, MD [Amended]

Martin State Airport, MD

(Lat. 39°19′54″ N., long. 76°24′83″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within 4 miles each side of a 134° bearing from Martin State Airport extending from the 5.2-mile radius of Martin State Airport to 9.2 miles southeast of the airport, excluding that airspace within the Washington Tri-Area Class B airspace area and Restricted Areas R-4001A and R-4001B when they are in effect. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory.

Issued in College Park, Georgia, on November 17, 2011.

Mark D. Ward,

Manager, Operations Support Group, Easter Service Center, Air Traffic Organization.