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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 247 (Friday, December 23, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80231-80232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32849]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0347; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-11]

Establishment of Class D and E Airspace and Amendment of Class E; 
Punta Gorda, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class D and E airspace and amends 
existing Class E airspace at Punta Gorda, FL, to accommodate a new air 
traffic control tower at Punta Gorda Airport. This action enhances the 
safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for 
standard instrument approach procedures at the airport. This action 
also changes the airport name and makes a minor adjustment to the 
geographic coordinates of the airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, February 9, 2012. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Fornito, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. 
Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-6364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On September 26, 2011, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish Class D and E 
airspace and amend existing Class E airspace at Punta Gorda, FL, to 
accommodate a new air traffic control tower at Punta Gorda Airport (76 
FR 59306). Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the 
FAA. No comments were received.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 
5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9V dated 
August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, which is incorporated 
by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and E airspace designations 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 establishes Class D and Class E surface airspace extending 
upward from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.5-
mile radius of Punta Gorda Airport, Punta Gorda, FL. This action also 
establishes Class E surface airspace designated as an extension to 
Class D surface area. The existing Class E airspace area extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface is amended to change the airport 
previously named Charlotte County Airport to Punta Gorda Airport, and 
adjusts the geographic coordinates to be in concert with the FAA's 
aeronautical database. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to 
support the new air traffic control tower and new standard instrument 
approach procedures developed for continued safety and management of 
IFR operations at Punta Gorda Airport.
    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, is 
non-controversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
comments. 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, when promulgated, will 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

[[Page 80232]]

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 establishes and amends controlled airspace at Punta Gorda 
Airport, Punta Gorda, FL.

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

    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]

    The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.9V, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace

* * * * *

ASO FL D Punta Gorda, FL [NEW]

Punta Gorda Airport, FL
    (Lat. 26[deg]55'08'' N., long. 81[deg]59'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface up to and 
including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.5-miles radius of the Punta 
Gorda Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during 
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 FL E2 Punta Gorda, FL [New]

Punta Gorda Airport, FL
    (Lat. 26[deg]55'08'' N., long. 81[deg]59'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending from the surface within a 4.5-mile 
radius of Punta Gorda Airport. This Class E airspace area is 
effective during 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 6004 Class E airspace areas designated as an extension to 
a class D surface area.

* * * * *

ASO FL E4 Punta Gorda, FL [NEW]

Punta Gorda Airport, FL
    (Lat. 26[deg]55'08'' N., long. 81[deg]59'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending from the surface 2.4 miles either side 
of the 036[deg] bearing from Punta Gorda Airport extending from the 
4.5-mile radius to 7.0 miles northeast of the airport. This Class E 
airspace area is effective during 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 FL E5 Punta Gorda, FL [Amended]

Punta Gorda Airport, FL
    (Lat. 26[deg]55'08'' N., long. 81[deg]59'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Punta Gorda Airport.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on December 13, 2011.
Michael Vermuth,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2011-32849 Filed 12-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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