[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 198 (Friday, October 11, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 82538-82540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-23497]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2055; Airspace Docket No. 22-AWP-56]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Class D Airspace, Establishment of Class E 
Airspace; San Bernardino International Airport, San Bernardino, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class D airspace and 
establish Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D 
surface area at San Bernardino International Airport, CA (KSBD). 
Additionally, this action proposes an administrative amendment to 
update the airport's existing Class D airspace legal description. These 
actions would support the safety and management of instrument flight 
rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 25, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2055 and 
Airspace Docket No. 22-AWP-56 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 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 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: Nathan A. Chaffman, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3460.

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 
the 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 modify Class D airspace and establish Class E 
airspace to support IFR and VFR operations at KSBD.

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

[[Page 82539]]

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 in light 
of 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 
normal business hours at the Northwest Mountain Regional Office of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Western 
Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S 216th Street, Des 
Moines, WA 98198.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class D and E4 airspace designations are published in paragraphs 
5000 and 6004, respectively, 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, dated July 31, 
2024 and effective September 15, 2024. These updates would be published 
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 7400.11J 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 that would 
modify Class D airspace and establish Class E airspace designated as an 
extension to a Class D surface area at San Bernardino International 
Airport, CA.
    The ceiling of the KSBD Class D airspace should be raised from 
3,200 feet to 3,700 feet mean sea level (MSL). This action would give 
the airport a ceiling height of 2,500 feet above ground level (AGL), 
which is recommended for Class D airspace that serves turbojet or 
turboprop aircraft in a high-density area.
    The eastern boundary of the Class D airspace does not fully contain 
IFR departure operations between the surface and the base of adjacent 
airspace when departing Runway (RWY) 6 on the Obstacle Departure 
Procedure (ODP) or the JADKO ONE DEPARTURE (Area Navigation [RNAV]) 
procedure due to rising terrain north-through-east of the airport. The 
northeastern lateral boundary should be extended 2.5 miles eastward in 
the form of a shelf that extends upward from 2,600 feet MSL to and 
including 3,700 feet MSL. This proposed shelf would better contain the 
aforementioned departure procedures until reaching the next adjacent 
airspace while preserving the 1,000-foot AGL traffic patterns at 
Redlands Municipal Airport, Redlands, CA (4.4 miles away from KSBD).
    The western boundary of the Class D airspace does not fully contain 
the RWY 24 ODP until reaching the base of adjacent airspace, nor does 
it fully contain IFR arrival operations between the surface and 1,000 
feet above the surface when executing the RNAV (Required Navigation 
Performance [RNP]) X RWY 6 arrival procedure. The lateral boundary of 
the surface area should be extended a half mile beyond the area's 
established 4.5-mile radius to meet containment standards for these two 
procedures.
    The northern boundary of the Class D airspace does not fully 
contain the JADKO ONE DEPARTURE (RNAV) RWY 6 procedure until reaching 
the next adjacent airspace due to rising terrain north-through-east of 
KSBD. The northern boundary should be moved .29 miles north to more 
appropriately contain the procedure's track width. Additionally, this 
modification would better align the northern Class D airspace border 
with the northern border of the proposed Class D shelf, east of the 
airport.
    The eastern lateral boundary of the Class D airspace does not fully 
contain the RNAV (RNP) RWY 24 arrival procedure while between the 
surface and 1,000 feet above the surface. A Class E extension to the 
Class D surface area airspace should be established to contain the 
arrival procedure more appropriately. This proposed area would extend 
eastward-then-southward in a ``dog-leg'' shape to avoid overlying 
Redlands Municipal Airport, with its southeasternmost point located 
approximately 8 miles southeast of the airport. This proposed airspace 
would impose a 500-foot clearance-from-clouds requirement on VFR 
aircraft operating within the airspace area to support flight safety at 
KSBD without imposing 2-way radio communication.
    Finally, the FAA proposes a modification to the administrative 
portion of the airport's Class D airspace legal description. The 
description should be updated to replace the outdated use of the 
phrases ``Notice to Airmen'' and ``Airport/Facility Directory.'' These 
phrases should be amended to read ``Notice to Air Missions'' and 
``Chart Supplement,'' respectively, to align with the FAA's current 
nomenclature.

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.

[[Page 82540]]

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

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AWP CA D San Bernardino, CA [Amended]

San Bernardino International Airport, CA
    (Lat. 34[deg]05'43'' N, long. 117[deg]14'06'' W)
Ontario International Airport, CA
    (Lat. 34[deg]03'22'' N, long. 117[deg]36'04'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,700 feet within a boundary beginning at the airport's 048[deg] 
bearing at 4.1 miles, then south along Church Street to the 137[deg] 
bearing at 4.5 miles, then clockwise around the airport's 4.5-mile 
radius to the 307[deg] bearing, thence to the point of beginning, 
and within an area 2.1 miles either side of the airport's 250[deg] 
bearing extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 5 miles west of the 
airport, excluding that airspace within the Ontario International 
Airport Class C airspace; that airspace extending upwards from 2,600 
feet to and including 3,700 feet within an area 2.8 miles north and 
1.1 miles south of the airport's 090[deg] bearing extending from 3 
miles east of the airport to the 5.5-mile radius of the 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 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

AWP CA E4 San Bernardino, CA [New]

San Bernardino International Airport, CA
    (Lat. 34[deg]05'43'' N, long. 117[deg]14'06'' W)
Point in Space
    (Lat. 34[deg]02'46'' N, long. 117[deg]10'03'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 
boundary beginning at the airport's 048[deg] bearing at 4.1 miles, 
then south along Church Street to its intersection with the Point in 
Space's 2.8-mile radius, thence clockwise via the Point in Space's 
2.8-mile radius to its 068[deg] bearing, thence to lat. 
34[deg]01'38'' N, long. 117[deg]06'56'' W, to lat. 34[deg]01'38'' N, 
long. 117[deg]04'17'' W, to lat. 34[deg]08'29'' N, long. 
117[deg]04'17'' W, thence to the point of beginning. This Class E 
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.
* * * * *

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on October 7, 2024.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2024-23497 Filed 10-10-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P