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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Aviation Administration

          - 14 CFR Part 71
          - [Docket No. FAA-2023-2052; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASO-39]
          - RIN 2120-AA66

# AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

# ACTION:

Final rule.

# SUMMARY:

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Thomasville Regional Airport, Thomasville, GA. This action increases the existing radius, adds an extension to the northeast, and updates the airport's name.

# DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, March 21, 2024. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

# ADDRESSES:

                        A copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be viewed online at                         *www.regulations.gov*                         using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.                    

                        FAA Order JO 7400.11H Airspace Designations and Reporting Points and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at                         *www.faa.gov/​air_​traffic/​publications/​.*                         You may also contact the Rules and Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Fornito, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-6364.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Authority for This Rulemaking

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 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 amends Class E airspace in Thomasville, GA.

## History

                    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. FAA 2023-2052 in the                     **Federal Register**                     on October 18, 2023 (88 FR 71786), proposing to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Thomasville Regional Airport, Thomasville, GA. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.                

## Incorporation by Reference

                    Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraph 6005 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 annually. This document amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023. FAA Order JO 7400.11H is publicly available as listed in the                     **ADDRESSES**                     section of this document. These amendments will be published in the next FAA Order JO 7400.11 update.                

FAA Order JO 7400.11H lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

## The Rule

                    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface                           ( print page 89294)                        for Thomasville Regional Airport, Thomasville, GA, by updating the airport name (formerly Thomasville Municipal Airport). Also, the radius is increased to 7 miles (previously 6.5 miles), and an extension to the northeast is added. Controlled airspace is necessary for the area's safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.                

## Regulatory Notices and Analyses

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 minimal. Since this is a routine matter that only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated, does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

## Environmental Review

The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures,” paragraph 5-6.5a.

This airspace action is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances warrant the preparation of an environmental assessment.

# Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

      - Airspace
      - Incorporation by reference
      - Navigation (air)

## 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

1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows: 

Authority:49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

§ 71.1

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

### Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

## ASO GA E5 Thomasville, GA [Amended]

Thomasville Regional Airport, GA

(Lat. 30°54′05″ N, long. 83°52′53″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7-mile radius of Thomasville Regional Airport and within 3.5 miles on each side of the 040° bearing of the airport, extending from the 7-mile radius to 9.7 miles northeast of the airport.

* * * * *

Issued in College Park, Georgia, on December 20, 2023.

Andreese C. Davis,

Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization.

[FR Doc. 2023-28406 Filed 12-26-23; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P