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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 138 (Monday, July 20, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42708-42710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17709]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2219; Airspace Docket No. 15-AWA-5]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of Class B Airspace; New Orleans, LA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule, technical amendment.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class B airspace at the Louis Armstrong New 
Orleans International Airport, New Orleans, LA, by removing reference 
to the Instrument Landing System (ILS) Runway 10 Outer Compass Locator 
(LOM) from the text header information and surface area (Area A) 
description and replacing it in the Area A description with the 
geographic latitude/longitude coordinates of the LOM. This change is 
necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the LOM navigation aid. 
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and New Orleans 
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (Alvin Callender Field) airport 
names and airport reference point (ARP) geographic coordinates are also 
updated. The St. Charles and Lakefront airports, used in the Class B 
description, are added in the legal description text header 
information, as well as, the Harvey VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical 
Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid. Lastly, general editing of the 
legal description is accomplished to improve clarity. These changes are 
editorial only to match existing FAA aeronautical database information 
and do not alter the current charted boundaries or altitudes or the ATC 
procedures for the New Orleans Class B airspace area.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, November 12, 2015. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual

[[Page 42709]]

revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Y, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. The Order is also available for 
inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15. For further 
information, you can contact the Airspace Policy and Regulations Group, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy and 
Regulations Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. Subtitle 1, 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 the Class B airspace at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans 
International Airport, New Orleans, LA.

History

    The New Orleans Class B airspace area was established as a Terminal 
Control Area (TCA) on July 17, 1975 (40 FR 20269, May 9, 1975). In 
1993, as part of the Airspace Reclassification Final Rule (56 FR 65638, 
December 17, 1991), the term ``terminal control area'' was replace by 
``Class B airspace area.'' Because there was no VHF Omnidirectional 
Range (VOR) navigation aid located on the Louis Armstrong New Orleans 
International Airport (formerly New Orleans International Airport-
Moisant Field), the Class B airspace area was designed using the ARP 
latitude/longitude coordinates as the center point. When established, 
the surface area (Area A) included an extension, described using an arc 
around the ILS Runway 10 LOM. In October 2015, the ILS Runway 10 LOM is 
being decommissioned because it cannot be cost-effectively maintained 
any longer. To retain the existing charted boundaries of the New 
Orleans Class B airspace surface area, the FAA is using the geographic 
latitude/longitude coordinates of the ILS Runway 10 LOM being 
decommissioned to describe the Class B airspace Area A extension. All 
references to the LOM in the New Orleans Class B airspace description 
are being removed and reference to the LOM in the Area A description is 
being replaced by a point using the geographic latitude/longitude 
coordinates of the ILS Runway 10 LOM.
    In preparation of updating the New Orleans Class B airspace 
description, the FAA reviewed the aeronautical database and determined 
that the New Orleans International Airport-Moisant Field name had 
changed to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, the 
NAS New Orleans-Alvin Callender Field name had changed to the New 
Orleans Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (Alvin Callender Field), 
and the respective ARP geographic coordinates for both had also 
changed. Further, the Class B airspace area legal description used the 
St. Charles and Lakefront airports in the Area C and Area D 
descriptions, respectively, and the Harvey VORTAC in the Area C 
description, but the airports and VORTAC information was omitted from 
the Class B description text header. This action makes the required 
edits above. Lastly, the descriptions have been edited to eliminate 
confusing wording and improve clarity.
    The FAA is taking this action so that the current boundaries of the 
New Orleans Class B airspace area are not affected by the 
decommissioning of the ILS Runway 10 LOM.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.9Y, airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2014, and effective September 15, 
2014. FAA Order 7400.9Y is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this final rule. FAA Order 7400.9Y lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) part 71 by amending the New Orleans Class B airspace legal 
description for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, 
New Orleans, LA. This action removes all references to the ``ILS Runway 
10 Outer Compass Locator'' and replaces it in the Area A description 
with a point located at the same latitude/longitude geographic 
coordinates of the LOM. This rule updates the New Orleans International 
Airport-Moisant Field name to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans 
International Airport, and the ARP Geographic coordinates from ``lat. 
29[deg]59'36'' N., long. 90[deg]15'28'' W.'' to ``lat. 29[deg]59'36'' 
N., long. 90[deg]15'33'' W.'' Additionally, it updates the NAS New 
Orleans-Alvin Callender Field name to New Orleans Naval Air Station 
Joint Reserve Base (Alvin Callender Field), and the ARP geographic 
coordinates from ``lat. 29[deg]49'31'' N., long. 90[deg]02'06'' W.'' to 
``lat. 29[deg]49'38'' N., long. 90[deg]01'36'' W.'' This action also 
adds the St. Charles and Lakefront Airports and their associated ARP 
geographic coordinates, as well as the Harvey VORTAC and its geographic 
coordinates to the legal description text header information. Lastly, 
the Class B airspace description is edited to remove confusing wording 
and improve clarity.

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 so 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.
    Since this action merely involves editorial changes in the legal 
description of the New Orleans Class B airspace area, and does not 
involve a change in the boundaries or altitudes or operating 
requirements of that airspace, notice and public procedure under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.

[[Page 42710]]

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with 311a, FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures.'' This airspace action is an editorial change only and is 
not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental 
impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant 
preparation of an environmental assessment.

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

0
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.

Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9Y, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2014, and 
effective September 15, 2014, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 3000 Subpart B--Class B Airspace.

* * * * *

ASW LA B New Orleans, LA

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (Primary Airport)
    (Lat. 29[deg]59'36'' N., long. 90[deg]15'33'' W.)
New Orleans Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (Alvin Callender 
Field), LA
    (Lat. 29[deg]49'38'' N., long. 90[deg]01'36'' W.)
Ama, St. Charles Airport, LA (pvt)
    (Lat. 29[deg]57'07'' N., long. 90[deg]17'10'' W.)
New Orleans, Lakefront Airport, LA
    (Lat. 30[deg]02'33'' N., long. 90[deg]01'42'' W.)
Harvey VORTAC
    (Lat. 29[deg]51'01'' N., long. 90[deg]00'11'' W.)
    Boundaries.

    Area A. That airspace extending upward from the surface to and 
including 7,000 feet MSL within a 7-mile radius of the Louis 
Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and within a 1.5-mile 
radius of a point located at lat. 30[deg]01'31'' N., long. 
90[deg]24'00'' W., excluding that airspace north of the south shore 
of Lake Pontchartrain, that airspace within and underlying Area C 
described hereinafter, and that airspace 0.5 mile either side of a 
line extending from lat. 30[deg]01'10'' N., long. 90[deg]07'47'' W. 
to lat. 29[deg]59'31'' N., long. 90[deg]15'37'' W. to lat. 
30[deg]03'37'' N., long. 90[deg]22'10'' W.
    Area B. That airspace extending upward from 600 feet MSL to and 
including 7,000 feet MSL north of the south shore of Lake 
Pontchartrain within a 7-mile radius of the Louis Armstrong New 
Orleans International Airport, excluding that airspace 0.5 mile 
either side of a line extending from lat. 30[deg]01'10'' N., long. 
90[deg]07'47'' W. to lat. 29[deg]59'31'' N., long. 90[deg]15'37'' W. 
to lat. 30[deg]03'37'' N., long. 90[deg]22'10'' W.
    Area C. That airspace extending upward from 1,000 feet MSL to 
and including 7,000 feet MSL within an area bounded by a line 
beginning 7 miles southwest of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans 
International Airport on the north shore of the Mississippi River; 
thence east along the Mississippi River north shore to a point 0.5 
mile east of and parallel to the St. Charles Airport runway 17/35 
extended centerline; thence southeast along a line 0.5 miles east of 
and parallel to the St. Charles Airport runway 17/35 extended 
centerline to the Southern Pacific Railroad track; thence southwest 
along the Southern Pacific Railroad track to a point 4 miles 
southwest of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport; 
thence counterclockwise along a 4-mile radius of the Louis Armstrong 
New Orleans International Airport to the north shore of the 
Mississippi River; thence east along the north shore of the 
Mississippi River to the Harvey VORTAC 300[deg] radial; thence 
southeast along the Harvey VORTAC 300[deg] radial to a point 7 miles 
southeast of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport; 
thence clockwise along the 7-mile radius of the Louis Armstrong New 
Orleans International Airport to the point of beginning.
    Area D. That airspace extending upward from 2,000 feet MSL to 
and including 7,000 feet MSL within a 15-mile radius of the Louis 
Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, excluding that airspace 
within Areas A, B, and C previously described, that airspace within 
Area F described hereinafter, that airspace within the Lakefront 
Airport Class D airspace area, and that airspace within a 4.4-mile 
radius of New Orleans Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (Alvin 
Callender Field).
    Area E. That airspace extending upward from 4,000 feet MSL to 
and including 7,000 feet MSL within a 20-mile radius of the Louis 
Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, excluding that airspace 
within Areas A, B, C, and D previously described, and that airspace 
within Area F described hereinafter.
    Area F. That airspace extending upward from the surface to 1,000 
feet MSL and from 2,000 feet MSL to 7,000 feet MSL 0.5 mile either 
side of a line extending from lat. 30[deg]01'10'' N., long. 
90[deg]07'47'' W. to lat. 29[deg]59'31'' N., long. 90[deg]15'37'' W. 
to lat. 30[deg]03'37'' N., long. 90[deg]22'10'' W., excluding that 
airspace below 600 feet MSL north of the south shore of Lake 
Pontchartrain.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 7, 2015.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2015-17709 Filed 7-17-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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