[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78832-78834]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22006]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2062; Airspace Docket No. 24-ASO-27]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Class D Airspace and Amendment of Class E 
Airspace; Auburn, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class D airspace and amend 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for 
Auburn University Regional Airport, Auburn, AL, as a new air traffic 
control tower will service the airport. Controlled airspace is 
necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules 
(IFR) operations in the area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 12, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2062 and 
Airspace Docket No. 24-ASO-27 using any of the following methods:
    * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instructions 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 for 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 the 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 for Federal holidays.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11J 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: Robert Scott Stuart, Operations 
Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 
1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; telephone: (404) 305-
5926.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 78833]]

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 establish Class D airspace and amend Class E airspace for 
Auburn University Regional Airport, Auburn, AL.

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 receives 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 delay. The FAA may change this proposal 
considering the comments it receives.
    Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments 
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts 
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-14 FDMS), 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 
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and 
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during 
regular business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College 
Park, GA 30337.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000 and 6005 of 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 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 
2024. FAA Order JO 7400.11J is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. These amendments will subsequently 
be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

    This action proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 to establish Class D 
airspace for Auburn University Regional Airport, Auburn, AL, as a new 
air traffic control tower will service the airport. Also, an airspace 
evaluation results in a proposal to decrease the size of the existing 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.9-mile by removing the extension of 1.6-miles each side of 
the 237[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 6.9-mile 
radius to 11 miles southwest of the airport.

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 would 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.

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

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 Federal Aviation 
Administration Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO AL D Auburn, AL [New]

Auburn University Regional Airport, AL
    (Lat. 32[deg]36'54'' N, long. 85[deg]26'02'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of Auburn University 
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 date and time will thereafter be 
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6005 Class E Surface Airspace.

* * * * *

[[Page 78834]]

ASO AL E5 Auburn, AL [AMENDED]

Auburn University Regional Airport, AL
    (Lat. 32[deg]36'54'' N, long. 85[deg]26'02'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.9-mile radius of Auburn University Regional Airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on September 20, 2024.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2024-22006 Filed 9-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P