[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 38 (Monday, February 26, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14000-14001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03831]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0269; Airspace Docket No. 24-ASW-2]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Beaumont/Port Arthur, 
TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E airspace 
at Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the 
result of airspace reviews conducted as part of the decommissioning of 
the Beaumont very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of 
the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. This action would 
also update the name and geographic coordinates of various airports. 
This action will bring the airspace into compliance with FAA orders to 
support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 11, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-0269 and 
Airspace Docket No. 24-ASW-2 using any of the following methods:
    * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instruction for sending your comments electronically.
    * Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West 
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in 
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    * Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for 
accessing the docket or go to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the 
West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, 
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    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: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.

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 would amend the Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, and 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at 
Jack Brooks Regional Airport, Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX, and the Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Beaumont 
Municipal Airport, Beaumont, TX, and Orange County Airport, Orange, TX, 
(Contained within the Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX, airspace legal 
description.) to support IFR operations at these airports.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most 
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain 
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or 
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments 
are filed in writing.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it received on or before 
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed 
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or dely. The FAA may change this proposal in light of 
the comments it receives.
    Privacy: In accordance with 5USC 553(c), DOT solicits comments from 
the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT post these 
comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at 
www.faa.gov/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 the address, phone number, and 
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the Federal Aviation Administration, Air 
Traffic Organization, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group, 
10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class D and E airspace is published in paragraphs 5000, 6002, and 
6005 of

[[Page 14001]]

FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This 
document proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order 
JO 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023. 
These updates would be published subsequently in the next update to FAA 
Order JO 7400.11. That order is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11H lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 by:
    Modifying the Class D airspace at Jack Brooks Regional Airport, 
Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX, by updating the name of the airport 
(previously Jefferson County Airport) to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; updating the header of the airspace legal 
description to Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX (previously Beaumont, TX) to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; removing the city 
associated with the airport in the airspace legal description to comply 
with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2P, Procedures for Handling Airspace 
Matters; and replacing the outdated terms ``Notice to Airmen'' and 
``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Notice to Air Missions'' and 
``Chart Supplement'';
    Modifying the Class E surface airspace at Jack Brooks Regional 
Airport by updating the name of the airport (previously Jefferson 
County Airport) to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; 
updating the header of the airspace legal description to Beaumont/Port 
Arthur, TX (previously Beaumont, TX) to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; removing the city associated with the airport in 
the airspace legal description to comply with changes to FAA Order JO 
7400.2P; and replacing the outdated terms ``Notice to Airmen'' and 
``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Notice to Air Missions'' and 
``Chart Supplement'';
    And modifying the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface to within a 7.5-mile (decreased from a 7.7-mile) 
radius of Jack Brooks Regional Airport; removing the extension 
northwest of Beaumont Municipal Airport, Beaumont, TX, from the 
airspace legal description as it is no longer needed; within a 6.5-mile 
(decreased from a 6.6-mile) radius of Orange County Airport, Orange, 
TX; updating the name of Jack Brooks Regional Airport (previously 
Southeast Texas Regional Airport) to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; updating the geographic coordinates of Beaumont 
Municipal Airport and Orange County Airport to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; updating the header of the airspace legal 
description to Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX (previously Beaumont, TX) to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and removing the cities 
associated with the airports in the airspace legal description to 
comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2P.
    This action is the result of airspace reviews conducted as part of 
the decommissioning of the Beaumont VOR as part of the VOR MON Program 
and supports instrument procedures at these airports.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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, will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List 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

0
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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 JO 
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASW TX D Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX [Amended]

Jack Brooks Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat 29[deg]57'03'' N, long 94[deg]01'15'' W

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of Jack Brooks Regional 
Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific 
dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air Missions. 
The effective dates and times will thereafter be continuously 
published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX [Amended]

Jack Brooks Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat 29[deg]57'03'' N, long 94[deg]01'15'' W)

    Within a 5-mile radius of Jack Brooks Regional Airport. This 
Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and 
times established in advance by a Notice to Air Missions. The 
effective dates and times will thereafter be continuously published 
in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX [Amended]

Jack Brooks Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat 29[deg]57'03'' N, long 94[deg]01'15'' W)
Beaumont Municipal Airport, TX
    (Lat 30[deg]04'13'' N, long 94[deg]12'54'' W)
Orange County Airport, TX
    (Lat 30[deg]04'06'' N, long 93[deg]48'14'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.5-mile radius of Jack Brooks Regional Airport; and within 
a 6.4-mile radius of Beaumont Municipal Airport; and within a 6.5-
mile radius of Orange County Airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 21, 2024.
Martin A. Skinner,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2024-03831 Filed 2-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P