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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Aviation Administration

          - 14 CFR Part 71
          - [Docket No. FAA-2010-0054; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-11]

# AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

# ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

# SUMMARY:

This action proposes to establish Class D airspace and modify existing Class E airspace at Columbus Metropolitan Airport, Columbus, GA. A decrease in air traffic volume at the airport has made it necessary to downgrade controlled airspace for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

# DATES:

Comments must be received on or before April 12, 2010.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Send comments on this proposal to: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001; Telephone: 1-800-647-5527; Fax: 202-493-2251. You must identify the Docket Number FAA-2010-0054; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-11, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit and review received comments through the Internet at                         *http://www.regulations.gov*.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Melinda Giddens, Airspace Specialist, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-5610.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule 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 (FAA Docket No. FAA 2010-0054; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-11) and be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Management System (                    *see***ADDRESSES**                     section for address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the Internet at                     *http://www.regulations.gov*.                

Commenters 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 Docket No. FAA-2010-0054; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-11.” The postcard will be date/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 notice may be changed in light of the comments received. 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 from and comments submitted through                     *http://www.regulations.gov*. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at                     *http://www.faa.gov/​airports_​airtraffic/​air_​traffic/​publications/​airspace_​amendments/​.*

                    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 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337.                

Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRMs should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, to request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application procedure.

## The Proposal

The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to establish Class D airspace and modify existing Class E airspace at Columbus, GA. Due to a decrease in air traffic volume at Columbus Metropolitan Airport a less restrictive Class D airspace would be established with specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The existing Class E surface area would be modified to be coincident with the newly established Class D airspace. The existing Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface would be modified for the safety and management of IFR operations. Lawson Army Airfield, Columbus, GA, would be removed from the Class E2 and E5 airspace description, and would be re-established under separate rulemaking.

                    Class D airspace designations, Class E2 surface airspace designations and Class E5 designations are published in Paragraphs 5000, 6002 and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9T, signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR                           ( print page 8286)                        71.1. The Class D and E airspace designations listed in this document would be published subsequently in the Order.                

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, would 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 proposed 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 proposed regulation is within the scope of that authority as it would establish Class D airspace and modify existing Class E airspace at Columbus Metropolitan Airport, Columbus, GA.

# Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

      - Airspace
      - Incorporation by reference
      - Navigation (air)

## The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, 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

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 

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, and effective September 15, 2009, is amended as follows:

### Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace

* * * * *

## ASO GA D Columbus, GA [NEW]

Columbus Metropolitan Airport, GA

(Lat. 32°30′59″ N., long. 84°56′20″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of the Columbus Metropolitan Airport and that airspace within 1 mile each side of the 234° bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 5 miles southwest of the airport. This Class D airspace 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.

* * * * *

### Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

## ASO GA E2 Columbus, GA [Amended]

Columbus Metropolitan Airport, GA

(Lat. 32°30′59″ N., long. 84°56′20″ W.)

Within a 4.4-mile radius of the Columbus Metropolitan Airport and that airspace within 1 mile each side of the 234° bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 5 miles southwest of the airport. This Class E 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.

* * * * *

### Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward from 700 feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

## ASO GA E5 Columbus, GA [Amended]

Columbus Metropolitan Airport, GA

(Lat. 32°30′59″ N., long. 84°56′20″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.8-mile radius of the Columbus Metropolitan Airport and that airspace within 1 mile each side each side of the 234° bearing from the airport, extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 7.3-miles southwest of the airport.

Issued in College Park, Georgia, on February 5, 2010.

Barry A. Knight,

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

[FR Doc. 2010-3737 Filed 2-23-10; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P