Proposed Rule2024-27378
Modification of Class D Airspace; Torrance Airport, Torrance, CA
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 25, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to modify the Class D airspace at Torrance Airport, Torrance, CA. This action would more appropriately contain instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) operations at the airport. Additionally, the airport's name and legal description should be amended to match the FAA's database.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 227 (Monday, November 25, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 92871-92873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27378]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2443; Airspace Docket No. 24-AWP-87]
RIN 2120-AA66
Modification of Class D Airspace; Torrance Airport, Torrance, CA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class D airspace at
Torrance Airport, Torrance, CA. This action would more appropriately
contain instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR)
operations at the airport. Additionally, the airport's name and legal
description should be amended to match the FAA's database.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 9, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2443 and
Airspace Docket No. 24-AWP-87 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and follow
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
* Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
* Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> at any time. Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J, 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>. You may also contact the Rules and
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration,
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith T. Adams, Federal Aviation
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-2428.
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
the 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 modify the Class D airspace to support IFR and
VFR operations at Torrance Airport, Torrance, CA.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or
commenters should send only one copy of written
[[Page 92872]]
comments if comments are filed in writing.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light
of the comments it receives.
Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
<a href="http://www.dot.gov/privacy">www.dot.gov/privacy</a>.
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
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
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during
normal business hours at the office at the Northwest Mountain Regional
Office of the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic
Organization, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S
216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000 of
FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This
document proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order
JO 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024.
These updates would be published in the next update to FAA Order JO
7400.11. That order is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES
section of this document.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas,
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.
Background
The current Class D airspace is inadequately sized to effectively
contain IFR operations at the Torrance Airport. Modification is
necessary to contain all IFR departure procedures until reaching the
next adjacent controlled airspace while climbing to 700 feet above the
surface. The Los Angeles Class E airspace area extending upward from
700 feet above the surface, and the Jack Northrop Field Class D
airspace are the two adjacent controlled airspaces. The sections of the
Torrance Airport's Class D that border the Los Angeles Class E airspace
area does not fully contain IFR departures until reaching 700 feet
above the surface. The lack of IFR containment is caused by rising
terrain in the area. Additionally, Torrance Class D airspace does not
fully contain aircraft conducting an IFR circling maneuver. The maximum
allowable circling radius at the airport is 2.7 nautical miles, which
is beyond the current Class D airspace lateral boundary.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to modify the
Class D airspace at Torrance Airport, Torrance, CA, to support
containment of IFR operations.
The Class D airspace should be modified to within a 3-mile radius
between the airport's 003[deg] bearing clockwise to the 086[deg]
bearing, and within 1.9 miles northeast and 2.1 miles southwest of the
airport's 124[deg] bearing extending 4.2 miles southeast, and within
2.1 miles southwest and 2.2 miles northeast of the airport's 304[deg]
bearing extending 4.5 miles northwest, and within 4 miles northwest of
the airport's 025[deg] bearing extending 2.8 miles northeast. The
proposed Class D airspace would extend upward from the surface up to
and including 2,400 feet. This proposed rule-making action would
accommodate IFR arrival operations descending from 1,000 feet above the
surface and departing IFR operations until reaching 700 feet above the
surface or the next adjacent controlled airspace.
Additionally, administrative amendments are required for Torrance
Airport's legal descriptions. The airport's name should be amended from
Torrance Airport to Zamperini Airport. The airport's reference point
geographic coordinates should be amended from lat. 33[deg]48'12'' N,
long. 118[deg]20'22'' W to lat. 33[deg]48'12'' N, long. 118[deg]20'23''
W. Lastly, the part-time language Class D airspace should be updated to
replace the outdated terms Notice to Airmen with Notice to Air
Missions, and Airport/Facility Directory with Chart Supplement. The Los
Angeles very high frequency omnidirectional range tactical air
navigation (VORTAC) should be removed from the airport's legal
description. The Los Angeles VORTAC and Zamperini Field's localizer are
no longer needed for describing the airport's Class D airspace area
boundaries. The Class D airspace description will be derived from the
Zamperini Fields's airport reference point.
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 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.
[[Page 92873]]
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31,
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
AWP D Torrance, CA [Amended]
Zamperini Field, CA
(Lat. 33[deg]48'12'' N, long. 118[deg]20'23'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface up to and
including 2,400 feet MSL within a 3-mile radius between the
airport's 003[deg] bearing clockwise to the 086[deg] bearing, and
within 1.9 miles northeast and 2.1 miles southwest of the airport's
124[deg] bearing extending 4.2 miles southeast, and within 2.1 miles
southwest and 2.2 miles northeast of the airport's 304[deg] bearing
extending 4.5 miles northwest, and within 4 miles northwest of the
airport's 025[deg] bearing extending 2.8 miles northeast. This Class
D 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.
* * * * *
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on November 15, 2024.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2024-27378 Filed 11-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 25, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.