[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2422]



[[Page 4668]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-AWP-23]


Proposed Establishment of Class E Airspace; Atwater, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to establish a Class E airspace area at 
Atwater, CA. The development of a VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) to Runway (RWY) 13 at 
Castle Airport has made this proposal necessary. The intended effect of 
this proposal is to provide adequate controlled airspace for Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Castle Airport, Atwater, CA.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Attn: Manager, Operations Branch, AWP-530, 
Docket No. 96-AWP-23, Air Traffic Division, P.O. Box 92007, Worldway 
Postal Center, Los Angeles, California 90009.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Western Pacific Region, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Room 6007, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California 90261.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business at 
the Office of the Manager, Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division at 
the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William Buck, Airspace Specialist, Operations Branch, AWP-530, Air 
Traffic Division, Western-Pacific Region, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California 90261, 
telephone (310) 725-6556.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking 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 the airspace docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing 
the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must 
submit with the comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 96-
AWP-23.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter. All communications received on or 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 comments received. All comments submitted will be available 
for examination in the Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, at 
15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California 90261, both before and 
after the closing date for comments. A report summarizing each 
substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this 
rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRM

    Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, 
System Management Branch, P.O. Box 92007, Worldway Postal Center, Los 
Angeles, California 9009. Communications must identify the notice 
number of this NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing 
list for future NPRM's should also request a copy of Advisory Circular 
No. 11-2A, which describes the application procedures.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) by establishing Class E airspace 
area at Atwater, CA. The development of VOR SIAP at Castle Airport has 
made this proposal necessary. The intended effect of this proposal is 
to provide adequate Class E airspace for aircraft executing the VOR RWY 
18 SIAP at Castle Airport, Atwater, CA. Class E airspace areas are 
published in Paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9D dated September 4, 
1996, and effective September 16, 1996, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in 
this document would be published subsequently in this 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. 
Therefore, this proposed 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 10034; 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 would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

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--[AMENDED]

    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, 1950-1963 Comp., p. 389; 14 CFR 11.69.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 
1996, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

AWP CA E5, Atwater CA [New]

Castle Airport, CA
    (Lat. 37 deg.22'04'' N, long. 120 deg.33'30'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of the Castle Airport and within 7 miles each 
side of the 410 deg. bearing from the Castle Airport, extending from 
the Castle Airport to 23 miles northwest of the airport, excluding 
the Merced, CA, Modesto, CA, and Oakdale, CA, Class E airspace areas 
and the Modesto City, CA, Class D airspace area.
* * * * *
    Issued in Los Angeles, California, on January 17, 1997.
Sabra W. Kaulia,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 97-2422 Filed 1-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M