[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6461-6462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3408]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-AGL-3]


Modification of Class D Airspace; Minot, ND

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class D airspace areas at Minot AFB and 
Minot International Airport, Minot, ND, by amending the areas' 
effective hours to coincide with the associated control tower's hours 
of operation. The intended effect of this action is to clarify when 
two-way radio communication with these air traffic control towers is 
required.

DATES: Effective date. 0901 UTC, March 27, 1997.
    Comment date. Comments must be received on or before February 27, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic

[[Page 6462]]

Division, Operations Branch, AGL-530, Docket No. 97-AGL-3, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 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 E. Devon Avenue, 
Des Plaines, Illinois. An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John A. Clayborn, Air Traffic Division, Operations Branch, AGL-530, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois 60018, telephone (847) 294-7568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments on the Rule

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule, and was not 
preceded by notice and public procedure, comments are invited on the 
rule. When the comment period ends, the FAA will use the comments 
submitted, together with other available information, to review the 
regulation. If the FAA receives no adverse comments in response to this 
action, this rule will become effective on the date specified in the 
DATES section. After the review, if the FAA finds that further changes 
are appropriate, it will initiate rulemaking proceedings to amend the 
regulation.
    Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and 
suggestions presented are particularly helpful in evaluating the 
effects of the rule, and in determining whether additional rulemaking 
is required. Comments are specifically invited on the overall 
regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related 
aspects of the rule which might suggest the need to modify the rule.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 71) modifies the Class D airspace areas at Minot AFB and Minot 
International Airport, Minot, ND, by amending the areas' effective 
hours to coincide with the associated control tower's hours of 
operation. Prior to Airspace Reclassification, an airport traffic area 
(ATA) and a control zone (CZ) existed at these airports. However, 
Airspace Reclassification, effective September 16, 1993, discontinued 
the use of the term ``airport traffic area'' and ``control zone,'' 
replacing them with the designation ``Class D airspace.'' The former CZ 
was continuous, while the former ATA was contingent upon the operation 
of the air traffic control tower. The consolidation of the ATA and CZ 
into a single Class D Airspace designation makes it necessary to modify 
the effective hours of the Class D airspace to coincide with the 
control tower's hours of operation. The intended effect of this action 
is to clarify when two-way radio communication with these air traffic 
control towers is required.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class D airspace designations are published in 
Paragraph 5000 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 D airspace designations listed in this document 
will be published subsequently in the Order. Under the circumstances 
presented, the FAA concludes that there is an immediate need to modify 
these Class D airspace areas in order to promote the safe and efficient 
handling of air traffic in these areas.
    The FAA has determined that this 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 rule will 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).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 14 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; 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 5000  General

* * * * *

AGL ND D Minot, ND [Revised]

Minot International Airport, ND
    (Lat. 48 deg.15'34'' N, long. 101 deg.16'53'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
4,200 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Minot International 
Airport. This Class D airspace area is effecting during the specific 
dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective dates and time will thereafter be continuously published 
in the Airport/Facility Directory.

AGL ND D Minot AFB, ND [Revised]

Minot AFB, ND
    (Lat. 48 deg.24'56'' N, long. 101 deg.21'28'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
4,200 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Minot AFB. This Class D 
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 January 17, 1997.
Maureen Woods,
Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 97-3408 Filed 2-11-97; 8:45 am]
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