Proposed Rule2022-24348
Proposed Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Athens/Ben Epps Airport, Athens, GA
Primary source
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Published
November 9, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Athens/Ben Epps Airport, Athens, GA as a result of the biennial airspace evaluation. This action would eliminate the excess airspace remaining after the decommissioning of the Bulldog Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) and subsequent cancellation of the NDB Runway 27 approach to Athens/Ben Epps Airport effective October 15, 2015, as well as update the geographic coordinates for the airport and the point-of-origin. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 216 (Wednesday, November 9, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 9, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67584-67586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24348]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1333; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-24]
RIN 2120-AA66
Proposed Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Athens/Ben
Epps Airport, Athens, GA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E
surface airspace, and Class E airspace designated as an extension to a
Class D surface area and Class E airspace extending upward from 700
feet above the surface at Athens/Ben Epps Airport, Athens, GA as a
result of the biennial airspace evaluation. This action would eliminate
the excess airspace remaining after the decommissioning of the Bulldog
Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) and subsequent cancellation of the NDB
Runway 27 approach to Athens/Ben Epps Airport effective October 15,
2015, as well as update the geographic coordinates for the airport and
the point-of-origin. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety
and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 27, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to: the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001;
Telephone: (800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify Docket
No. FAA-2022-1333; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-24 at the beginning of
your comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
FAA Order JO 7400.11G Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at <a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/</a>. For further information, you can contact the
Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; Telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Ledford, Operations Support
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-5946.
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 airspace for Athens/Ben Epps Airport, Athens, GA, to
support IFR operations in the area.
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to comment on this proposed
rulemaking
[[Page 67585]]
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 (Docket No. FAA-
2022-1333 and Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-24) and be submitted in
triplicate to DOT Docket Operations (see ADDRESSES section for the
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the
internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
Persons wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on
this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped
postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to FAA
Docket No. FAA-2022-1333; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-24.'' The postcard
will be dated/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
All communications received before the specified closing date for
comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule.
The proposal contained in this document may be changed in light of the
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the
docket.
Availability of NPRMs
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at
<a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/</a>.
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 address and phone number) between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on federal
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined between 8:00 a.m. and
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays at the
office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration,
Room 350, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document proposes to amend FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective
September 15, 2022. FAA Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11G
lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service
routes, and reporting points.
The Proposal
The FAA proposes an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Class D
airspace for Athens/Ben Epps Airport by extending the airspace from a
4-mile radius to a 4.6-mile radius surrounding the airport, and by
updating the airport's geographic coordinates to coincide with the
FAA's database. Also, Class E surface airspace, extension to Class D
airspace, and transition airspace would be amended for the above
airport. Class E surface airspace for Athens/Ben Epps Airport would be
amended by extending the airspace from a -4-mile radius to a 4.6-mile
radius surrounding the airport. The Class E airspace used for an
extension to Class D will be reduced from 3 miles to 2.4 miles on each
side of the Athens Point of Origin 195[deg] bearing extending from the
4.6-mile radius of the Athens/Ben Epps Airport to 7.6 miles south of
the Point of Origin and will be reduced from 3 miles to 1.4 miles each
side of the Athens Point of Origin 076[deg] bearing extending from the
4.6-mile radius of the airport to 7 miles east of the Point of Origin.
The Class E5 transition airspace extending upward from 700 feet above
the surface would be amended to within a 7.7-mile radius of Athens/Ben
Epps Airport (reduced from an 11.5-mile radius). This eliminates the
excess airspace that remained after the decommissioning of the Bulldog
(BJT) non-directional beacon (NDB) and subsequent cancellation of the
NDB Rwy 27 approach, effective October 15, 2015 (80 FR 61978). In
addition, this action would replace the outdated terms Airport/Facility
Directory with the term Chart Supplement and Notice to Airmen with the
term Notice to Air Missions, in the airspace descriptions. This action
is replacing the VORTAC used for airspace definition with a point-of-
origin.
Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs
5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order JO 7400.11G,
dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022, which is
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E
airspace designations listed in this document will be published
subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.
FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
is published yearly and effective on September 15.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this proposed 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 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 proposed 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.
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
In consideration of the foregoing, 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
0
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.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation
Administration Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, dated August 19, 2022, and
[[Page 67586]]
effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
ASO GA D Athens, GA [Amended]
Athens/Ben Epps Airport, Athens, GA
(Lat. 33[deg]56'55'' N, long. 83[deg]19'33'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,300 feet MSL within a 4.6-mile radius of the Athens/Ben Epps
Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during the
specified dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air
Missions. The effective date and time will thereafter be
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.
* * * * *
ASO GA E2 Athens, GA [Amended]
Athens/Ben Epps Airport, Athens, GA
(Lat. 33[deg]56'55'' N, long. 83[deg]19'33'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.6-
mile radius of the Athens/Ben Epps Airport. This Class E airspace
area is effective during the specific dates and times established in
advance by a Notice to Air Missions. The effective date and time
will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to Class
D Surface Area.
* * * * *
ASO GA E4 Athens, GA [Amended]
Athens/Ben Epps Airport, Athens, GA
(Lat. 33[deg]56'55'' N, long. 83[deg]19'33'' W)
(Athens Point of Origin)
(Lat. 33[deg]56'51'' N, long 83[deg]19'29'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within 2.4 miles
on each side of the Athens Point of Origin 195[deg] bearing
extending from the 4.6-mile radius of the Athens/Ben Epps Airport to
7.6 miles south of the Point of Origin, and within 1.4 miles each
side of the Athens Point of Origin 076[deg] bearing extending from
the 4.6-mile radius of the airport to 7 miles east of the Point of
Origin. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific
dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air Missions.
The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously
published in the Chart Supplement.
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
ASO GA E5 Athens, GA [Amended]
Athens/Ben Epps Airport, GA
(Lat. 33[deg]56'55'' N, long. 83[deg]19'33'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.7-mile radius of Athens/Ben Epps Airport.
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on November 2, 2022.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2022-24348 Filed 11-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 9, 2022.
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