2019-20689. Amendment of Class C Airspace; Lafayette, LA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action modifies the Lafayette, LA, Class C airspace area by amending the legal description to contain the current airport name and updated airport reference point (ARP) information. Additionally, minor administrative edits to the legal description title and Chart Supplement reference are made for readability. This action does not change the boundaries, altitudes, or operating requirements of the Class C airspace area.

DATES:

Effective date 0901 UTC, December 5, 2019. 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 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES:

FAA Order 7400.11D, 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 7400.11D at NARA, email [e-mail] or go to https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 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 updates the airport name and ARP geographic coordinates for the Lafayette Regional Airport/Paul Fournet Field that is contained in the Lafayette, LA, Class C airspace description.

History

Class C airspace areas are designed to improve air safety by reducing the risk of midair collisions in high volume airport terminal areas and to enhance the management of air traffic operations in that area. During a recent review of the Lafayette Regional Airport/Paul Fournet Field, LA, Class C airspace area description, the FAA identified that the airport's name and ARP geographic coordinates were incorrect. This action updates the airport name and ARP geographic coordinates to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database information. There are no changes to routing or air traffic control procedures resulting from this action.

Class C airspace designations are published in paragraph 4000 of FAA Order 7400.11D, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Class C airspace designation 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.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document amends FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by amending the Lafayette Regional Airport, LA, airspace area description. The airport formerly known as “Lafayette Regional Airport” is renamed “Lafayette Regional Airport/Paul Fournet Field” and the ARP geographic position for the airport is changed from “lat. 30°12′19″ N, long. 91°59′15″ W” to “lat. 30°12′18″ N, long. 91°59′16″ W.” These amendments to the airport name and ARP geographic coordinates reflect the current information in the FAA's aeronautical database. Additionally, minor administrative edits to the legal description title and Chart Supplement reference were made for readability.

This is an administrative change and does not affect the boundaries, altitudes, or operating requirements of the airspace, therefore, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary.

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. It, therefore: (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) does not warrant preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal. Since this is a routine matter that only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated, does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act, and its agency implementing regulations in FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures” regarding categorical exclusions for procedural actions at paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically excludes from full environmental impact review rulemaking actions that designate or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting points. Since this action does not change the boundaries, altitudes, or operating requirements of the Class C airspace area, and only amends the legal description to contain the current airport name of Lafayette Regional Airport/Paul Fournet Field, LA, and updated ARP information, this airspace action is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental impacts. In accordance with FAAO 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, this action has been reviewed for factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further analysis, and it is determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment.

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(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 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 4000 Class C Airspace.

* * * * *

ASW LA C Lafayette, LA

Lafayette Regional Airport/Paul Fournet Field, LA

(Lat. 30°12′18″ N, long. 91°59′16″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 4,000 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of the Lafayette Regional Airport/Paul Fournet Field, and that airspace extending upward from 1,300 feet MSL to 4,000 feet MSL within a 10-mile radius of the airport. This Class C airspace area is effective during the specific days and times of operation of Lafayette Tower and Approach Control Facility as established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective dates and times will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

Issued in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2019.

Scott M. Rosenbloom,

Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.