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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 172 (Thursday, September 5, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54561-54562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21497]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0611; Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-11]

Amendment of Class D Airspace; Santa Monica, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class D airspace at Santa Monica 
Municipal Airport, Santa Monica, CA, to accommodate aircraft departing 
and arriving under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) at the airport. This 
action initiated by the biennial review of the Santa Monica Municipal 
Airport airspace area, and on the results of a study conducted by the 
Los Angeles Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Task Force, and the Los Angeles 
Class B Workgroup, enhances the safety and management of aircraft 
operations at the airport. Adjustments to the geographic coordinates of 
the airport also are made.

DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, December 12, 2013. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR Part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Roberts, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA, 98057; telephone (425) 203-4517.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On October 27, 2011, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to modify controlled airspace at 
Santa Monica, CA (76 FR 66662). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. Subsequent to 
publication, the Los Angeles VFR Airspace Task Force reassessed the 
proposal and on June 25, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal 
Register a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to

[[Page 54562]]

further modify controlled airspace at Santa Monica, CA (78 FR 37997). 
Interested parties were invited to participate in the rulemaking effort 
by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments 
were received.
    Class D airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000, of 
FAA Order 7400.9W dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 
2012, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR Part 71.1. The Class 
D airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in that Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
Part 71 by modifying the Class D airspace area to within a 4-mile 
radius of Santa Monica Municipal Airport, Santa Monica, CA, with a 
segment extending from the 4-mile radius to 4.6 miles northeast of the 
airport, to accommodate IFR aircraft departing and arriving at the 
airport. The geographic coordinates of the airport are updated to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. Expanding the current 
Santa Monica Municipal Airport Class D airspace reduces those areas 
that pose a high collision risk to low level commercial, general 
aviation, military and helicopter operations.
    The FAA has determined this regulation only involves an established 
body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments 
are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this 
regulation: (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 
only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified 
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. The FAA's authority to issue rules 
regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. 
Subtitle 1, Section 106 discusses 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 modifies 
controlled airspace at Santa Monica Municipal Airport, Santa Monica, 
CA.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action is not expected to 
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

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

0
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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.

Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9W, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 
2012 is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.

* * * * *

AWP CA D Santa Monica, CA [Modified]

Santa Monica Municipal Airport, CA
    (Lat. 34[deg]0'57'' N., long. 118[deg]27'05'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 4-mile radius of the Santa Monica Municipal 
Airport, and within 1.5 miles each side of the 047[deg] bearing of 
the Santa Monica Airport extending from the 4-mile radius to 4.6 
miles northeast of the airport, excluding that airspace within the 
Los Angeles, CA, Class D airspace area. This Class D airspace area 
is effective during the specific dates and times established in 
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will 
thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility 
Directory.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on August 19, 2013.
Clark Desing,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-21497 Filed 9-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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