[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 10, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21505-21506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8552]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0621; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-28]


Proposed Amendment of Class D and E Airspace; Blountville, TN, 
and Revocation of Class E Airspace; Tri-City, TN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D and Class E surface 
airspace at Blountville, TN, and remove Class E airspace at Tri-City, 
TN, as new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed 
at Tri-Cities Regional Airport. This action would enhance the safety 
and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for 
SIAPs at the airport. This action would also update the geographic 
coordinates, airport name, and airspace designation.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 25, 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.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule 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-2011-0621; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-28, 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: John Fornito, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. 
Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-6364.

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-2011-0621; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-28) 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.
    Persons 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-2011-0621; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-28.'' 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.

[[Page 21506]]

    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 amend Class D airspace, Class E surface 
airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface to support new standard instrument approach procedures 
developed at Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Blountville, TN. The Tri-
City, TN, Class E airspace designated as an extension would be removed. 
Airspace reconfiguration is necessary for the continued safety and 
management of IFR operations at the airport. The airport formerly 
called Tri-City Regional Airport would be changed to Tri-Cities 
Regional Airport, TN/VA; the airport designation would be changed from 
Tri-City, TN, to Blountville, TN, and the geographic coordinates would 
be adjusted to coincide with the FAAs aeronautical database.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraph 
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 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 amend Class D and E airspace and remove 
Class E airspace at Tri-City Regional Airport, Blountville, TN.
    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

Lists 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--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.


Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

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

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.

* * * * *

ASO TN D Blountville, TN [Amended]

Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
    (Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
4,000 feet MSL within a 6.8-mile radius of Tri-Cities Regional 
Airport.
    This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific days 
and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective days and times will thereafter be continuously published 
in the Airport/Facility Directory.

Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace designated as surface areas.

* * * * *

ASO TN E2 Blountville, TN [Amended]

Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
    (Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
4,000 feet MSL within a 6.8-mile radius of Tri-Cities Regional 
Airport. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific 
days and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective days and times will thereafter be continuously published 
in the Airport/Facility Directory.

Paragraph 6004 Class E airspace designated as an extension to a 
class d surface area.

* * * * *

ASO TN E4 Tri-City, TN [Removed]

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

* * * * *

ASO TN E5 Blountville, TN [Amended]

Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
    (Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)
Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Airport, VA
    (Lat. 36[deg]41'14'' N., long. 82[deg]02'00'' W.)
Rogersville, Hawkins County Airport, TN
    (Lat. 36[deg]27'27'' N., long. 82[deg]53'06'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 9.3-mile radius of Tri-Cities Regional Airport and within 
4-miles west and 8-miles east of the 223[deg] bearing from the 
airport extending from the 9.3-mile radius to 23 miles southwest of 
the airport, and within 2-miles either side of the 43[deg] bearing 
from the airport extending from the 9.3-mile radius to 14.5 miles 
northeast of the airport, and within a 17-mile radius of Virginia 
Highlands Airport and within a 7-mile radius of Hawkins County 
Airport, and within 7 miles each side of Runway 07/25 centerline, 
extending from the 7-mile radius to 12 miles east of Hawkins County 
Airport.


    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on March 30, 2012.
Barry A. Knight,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2012-8552 Filed 4-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P