Proposed Rule2025-06237
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Hagerstown, MD
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
April 14, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface designated for Hagerstown, MD, by updating the reference to the St. Thomas Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Station and Tactical Air Navigation System (VORTAC) to show it as the St. Thomas Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN). This action would support the safety and management of instrument flight rule (IFR) operations in the area.
Full Text
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 70 (Monday, April 14, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15533-15534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06237]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 70 / Monday, April 14, 2025 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 15533]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0606; Airspace Docket No. 25-AEA-6]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Hagerstown, MD
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending
upward from 700 feet above the surface designated for Hagerstown, MD,
by updating the reference to the St. Thomas Very High Frequency
Omnidirectional Range Station and Tactical Air Navigation System
(VORTAC) to show it as the St. Thomas Tactical Air Navigation System
(TACAN). This action would support the safety and management of
instrument flight rule (IFR) operations in the area.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 29, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-0606 and
Airspace Docket No. 25-AEA-6 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: 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 for 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 for 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, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC 20597; Telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Ellerbee, Operations Support
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-5589.
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 E airspace in Hagerstown, MD, to support the
safety and management of instrument flight rule (IFR) operations in the
area.
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 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 edits, 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
regular business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center,
Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College
Park, GA 30337.
Incorporation by Reference
Class E5 airspace designations are published in Paragraph 6005 of
FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which
is incorporated by reference in 14
[[Page 15534]]
CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This document proposes to amend the
current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31, 2024, and effective
September 15, 2024. These updates will be published in the next update
to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11J 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.
The Proposal
The FAA proposes an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 that would amend
the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
at Hagerstown, MD. The VOR portion of the St. Thomas VORTAC was
decommissioned on November 30, 2023, and only the TACAN remains as a
functional part of the NAVAID. This rule would change the associated
references in the airspace legal description from St. Thomas VORTAC to
St. Thomas TACAN. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and
management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.
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
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 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 final regulatory action by the FAA.
Lists 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.
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 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
AEA MD E5 Hagerstown, MD [Amended]
Hagerstown Regional Airport-Richard A. Henson Field, MD
(Lat. 39[deg]42'31'' N, long. 77[deg]43'35'' W)
Hagerstown VOR
(Lat. 39[deg]41'52'' N, long. 77[deg]51'21'' W)
St. Thomas TACAN
(Lat. 39[deg]56'00'' N, long. 77[deg]57'03'' W)
Hagerstown Regional Airport-Richard A. Henson Field ILS Runway 27
Localizer
(Lat. 39[deg]42'23'' N, long. 77[deg]44'31'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6.6-mile radius of the Hagerstown Regional Airport-Richard
A. Henson Field, and within 3.1 miles each side of the Hagerstown
VOR 237[deg] radial and 057[deg] radial extending from 9.6 miles
southwest of the VOR to 2.7 miles northeast of the VOR, and within
4.4 miles each side of the Hagerstown Regional Airport-Richard A.
Henson Field ILS Runway 27 localizer course extending from the
localizer to 12.6 miles east of the localizer, and within 4.4 miles
each side of the St. Thomas TACAN 141[deg] radial extending from the
6.6-mile radius to the St. Thomas TACAN, excluding that portion
within Prohibited Area P-40.
* * * * *
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on April 8, 2025.
Patrick Young,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2025-06237 Filed 4-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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