2016-18769. Proposed Amendment of Class D and E Airspace for the Following Texas Towns; Houston Sugar Land, TX; Alice, TX; Bay City, TX; Brenham, TX; Burnet, TX; Falfurrias, TX; Graford, TX; and Hamilton, TX, and Proposed Revocation of Class E ...

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

This action proposes to modify Class D and Class E surface area airspace at Sugar Land Regional Airport, Houston Sugar Land, TX. The FAA also proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Kingsville Kleberg County Airport, Alice, TX; Bay City Municipal Airport, Bay City, TX; Brenham Municipal Airport, Brenham, TX; Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field, Burnet, TX; Brooks County Airport, Falfurrias, TX; Possum Kingdom Airport, Graford, TX; and Hamilton Municipal Airport, Hamilton, TX. Decommissioning of non-directional radio beacons (NDBs), cancellation of NDB approaches, and implementation of area navigation (RNAV) procedures have made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at these airports. This action also proposes to remove Class E airspace at Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport, Austin, TX, as controlled airspace is no longer needed. Additionally, the geographic coordinates at Bay City Municipal Airport, Brenham Municipal Airport, and Brooks County Airport, as well as the name of Sugar Land Regional Airport (formerly Sugar Land Municipal/Hull Field) would be adjusted to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before September 26, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, 20590; telephone [phone], or 1-800-647-5527. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2016-8503; Airspace Docket No. 16-ASW-11, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://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: [phone]. The Order is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of FAA Order 7400.9Z at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/​federal_​register/​code_​of_​federal-regulations/​ibr_​locations.html.

FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX, 76177; telephone [phone].

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 D airspace and Class E surface area airspace at Sugar Land Regional Airport, Houston Sugar Land, TX; amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Kingsville Kleberg County Airport, Alice, TX; Bay City Municipal Airport, Bay City, TX; Brenham Municipal Airport, Brenham, TX; Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field, Burnet, TX; Brooks County Airport, Falfurrias, TX; Possum Kingdom Airport, Graford, TX; and Hamilton Municipal Airport, Hamilton, TX; and remove Class E at Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport, Austin, TX.

Comments Invited

Interested parties are invited to participate in 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 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-2016-8503/Airspace Docket No. 16-ASW-11.” The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.

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 http://www.regulations.gov.

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 the 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 during normal business hours at the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX, 76177.

Availability and Summary of Documents Proposed for Incorporation by Reference

This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 2015. FAA Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 71 by modifying:

Class D airspace and Class E surface area airspace within a 5.8-mile radius of Sugar Land Regional Airport, Houston Sugar Land, TX, and updating the name of airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database;

Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.6-mile radius of Kingsville, Kleberg County Airport, Alice, TX, with an extension northwest of the airport from the 6.6-mile radius to 10.3 miles;

Within a 6.5-mile radius of Bay City Municipal Airport, Bay City, TX, and updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAAs aeronautical database;

Within a 6.5-mile radius of Brenham Municipal Airport, Brenham TX, and updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAAs aeronautical database;

Within a 6.6-mile radius of the Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field, Burnet, TX;

Within a 6.6-mile radius of Brooks County Airport, Falfurrias, TX, and updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAAs aeronautical databases;

Within a 7.0-mile radius of Possum Kingdom Airport, Graford, TX, with extensions to the northeast of the airport from the 7.0-mile radius to 10.9 miles, and to the southwest of the airport from the 7.0-mile radius to 10.9 miles;

And within a 6.5-mile radius of Hamilton Municipal Airport, Hamilton, TX, with extensions to the north of the airport from the 6.5-mile radius to 9.4 miles, and to the south of the airport from the 6.5-mile radius to 10.3 miles;

The Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.5-mile radius of Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport, Austin Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport, TX, would be removed as the SIAPs have been cancelled and controlled airspace is no longer needed.

Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of NDBs, cancellation of NDB approaches, and implementation of RNAV procedures at the above airports. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of the standard instrument approach procedures for IFR operations at the airports.

Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000, 6002, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9Z, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 2015, 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.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

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, would 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

• Airspace
• Incorporation by reference
• Navigation (air)

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as follows:

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.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASW TX D Houston Sugar Land, TX [Amended]

Sugar Land, Sugar Land Regional Airport, TX

(Lat. 29°37′20″ N., long. 95°39′24″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,600 feet MSL within a 5.8-mile radius of Sugar Land Regional Airport. 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.

* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Houston Sugar Land, TX [Amended]

Sugar Land, Sugar Land Regional Airport, TX

(Lat. 29°37′20″ N., long. 95°39′24″ W.)

Within a 5.8-mile radius of Sugar Land Regional Airport. This Class E airspace 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 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Alice, TX [Amended]

Alice International Airport, TX

(Lat. 27°44′27″ N., long. 98°01′37″ W.)

Orange Grove NALF, TX

(Lat. 27°53′49″ N., long. 98°02′37″ W.)

Navy Orange Grove TACAN

(Lat. 27°53′43″ N., long. 98°02′33″ W.)

Kingsville, Kleberg County Airport, TX

(Lat. 27°33′03″ N., long. 98°01′51″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.5-mile radius of Alice International Airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 135° bearing from Alice International Airport extending from the 7.5-mile radius to 9.8 miles southeast of the airport, and within a 7.2-mile radius of the Orange Grove NALF, and within 1.6 miles each side of the 129° radial of the Navy Orange Grove TACAN extending from the 7.2-mile radius of the Orange Grove NALF to 11 miles southeast of the Orange Grove NALF, and within 1.5 miles each side of the 320° radial of the Navy Orange Grove TACAN extending from the 7.2-mile radius of the Orange Grove NALF to 9.7 miles northwest of the Orange Grove NALF, and within a 6.6-mile radius of Kleberg County Airport, and within 4.0 miles each side of the 320° bearing from the Kleberg County Airport from the 6.6-mile radius to 10.3 miles northwest of the airport, excluding that airspace within the Corpus Christi, TX, Class E airspace area.

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Austin, Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport, TX [Removed]

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Bay City, TX [Amended]

Bay City Municipal Airport, TX

(Lat. 28°58′24″ N., long. 95°51′48″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.5-mile radius of Bay City Municipal Airport.

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Brenham, TX [Amended]

Brenham Municipal Airport, TX

(Lat. 30°13′11″ N., long. 96°22′28″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.5-mile radius of Brenham Municipal Airport.

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Burnet, TX [Amended]

Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field, TX

(Lat. 30°44′20″ N., long. 98°14′19″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.6-mile radius of Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field.

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Falfurrias, TX [Amended]

Brooks County Airport, TX

(Lat. 27°12′22″ N., long. 98°07′16″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.6-mile radius of Brooks County Airport.

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Graford, TX [Amended]

Possum Kingdom Airport, TX

(Lat. 32°55′24″ N., long. 98°26′13″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.0-mile radius of Possum Kingdom Airport and within 4 miles each side of the 031° bearing from the airport extending from the 7.0-mile radius to 10.9 miles northeast of the airport, and within 4 miles each side of the 210° bearing from the airport extending from the 7.0-mile radius to 10.9 miles southwest of the airport.

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Hamilton, TX [Amended]

Hamilton Municipal Airport, TX

(Lat. 31°39′57″ N., long. 98°08′55″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.5-mile radius of Hamilton Municipal Airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 009° bearing from the airport extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 9.4 miles north of the airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 189° bearing from the airport extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 10.3 miles south of the airport.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 1, 2016.

Walter Tweedy,

Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.