2010-18262. Revocation of Class D and E Airspace; Panama City, FL

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action removes the Class D and E Airspace at Panama City-Bay County Airport, Panama City, FL, as the airport has closed and the associated Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) removed, eliminating the need for controlled airspace.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, September 23, 2010. 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:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

Northwest Florida-Panama City International Airport, a new airport for Panama City, FL, opened on May 23, 2010. Therefore, the Panama City-Bay County Airport was closed effective at 10 p.m. on May 22, 2010. The associated SIAPs and controlled airspace must be removed in conjunction with the airport closure. As a result, this action will remove the Class D, E4, and E5 airspace for the Panama City-Bay County Airport, Panama City, FL. This rule will become effective on the date specified in the DATES section. Since this action eliminates the impact of controlled airspace on users of the National Airspace System in the vicinity of the Panama City-Bay County Airport, Panama City, FL, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary. Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 5000, 6004 and 6005 respectively of FAA Order 7400.9T, dated August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, 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 removes the Class D, E4 and E5 airspace at Panama City-Bay County Airport, Panama City, FL. Controlled airspace is no longer needed as the airport has closed.

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 removes controlled airspace at Panama City-Bay County Airport, Panama City, FL.

List 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 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009, effective September 15, 2009, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO FL D  Panama City, FL [Removed]

Panama City-Bay County Airport, FL

(Lat. 30°12′44″ N., long. 85°40′58″ W.)

* * * * *

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

* * * * *

ASO FL E4 Panama City, FL [Removed]

Panama City-Bay County Airport, FL

(Lat. 30°12′44″ N., long. 85°40′58″ W.)

Panama City VORTAC

(Lat. 30°12′59″ N., long. 85°40′52″ W.)

* * * * *

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

* * * * *

ASO FL E5 Panama City, FL [Removed]

Panama City-Bay County Airport, FL

(Lat. 30°12′44″ N., long. 85°40′58″ W.)

Tyndall AFB

(Lat. 30°04′12″ N., long. 85°34′34″ W.)

Issued in College Park, Georgia, on July 13, 2010.

Mark D. Ward,

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