[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 217 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60461-60462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29570]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-AGL-57]


Proposed Establishment of Class E Airspace; St. Paul, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice proposes to establish Class E airspace at St. 
Paul, MN. An airspace review for St. Paul, Downtown Holman Field, MN, 
indicates the need for surface area controlled airspace during periods 
when the control tower is closed. The surface area would provide a 
safer operating environment for business/corporate turbo jet and turbo 
prop aircraft which operate into and out of the airport when the 
control tower is closed. The airport meets the minimum communications 
and weather observation and reporting requirements. Controlled airspace 
extending upward from the surface is needed to contain aircraft 
executing instrument approach procedures.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 22, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, AGL-7, 
Rules Docket No.
97-AGL-57, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, 
Des Plaines, Illinois. An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the Air Traffic Division, Operations Branch, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle M. Behm, Air Traffic Division, Airspace Branch, AGL-520, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois 60018, telephone (847) 294-7568.

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 those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 97-
AGL-57.'' 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 Rules Docket, FAA, Great Lakes Region, Office of 
the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois, 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's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, 
Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-230, 
800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling 
(202) 267-3484. 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 procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to establish 
Class E airspace at St. Paul, MN, to accommodate aircraft executing the 
published instrument approach procedures at St. Paul, Downtown Holman 
Field, during periods when the control tower is closed. The airport 
meets the minimum communications and weather observation and reporting 
requirements for a surface area. Controlled airspace extending upward 
from the surface is needed to contain aircraft executing instrument 
approach procedures. The area would be depicted on appropriate 
aeronautical charts. Class E airspace designations for airspace areas 
designated as a surface area for an airport are published in paragraph 
6002 of FAA Order 7400.9E, dated September 10, 1997, and effective 
September 16, 1997, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. 
The Class E airspace designation 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. 
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 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 will not 
have a significant economic impact

[[Page 60462]]

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

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal 
Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) as follows:

PART 71--[AMENDED]

    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.


Sec. 71.1   [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 
1997, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002  Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area 
for an airport.

* * * * *

AGL MN E2  St. Paul, MN [New]

St. Paul, Downtown Holman Field, MN
    [Lat. 44 deg.56'04'' N, long. 93 deg.03'36'' W)
South St. Paul Municipal Richard E. Fleming Field, MN
    (Lat. 44 deg.51'26'' N, long. 93 deg.01'59'' W)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of the St. Paul, Downtown Holman Field, 
excluding that airspace within a 1-mile radius of South St. Paul 
Municipal, Richard E. Fleming Field. This Class E airspace area is 
effective during the specific dates and times established in advance 
by a Notice to Airmen. The effective dates and times will thereafter 
be continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *
    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on October 21, 1997.
Maureen Woods,
Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 97-29570 Filed 11-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M