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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 186 (Monday, September 26, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59306-59307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24640]

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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2011 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 59306]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0347; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-11]

Proposed Establishment of Class D and E Airspace and Amendment of 
Class E Airspace; Punta Gorda, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class D and E airspace and 
amend existing Class E airspace at Punta Gorda, FL, to accommodate the 
new air traffic control tower at Punta Gorda Airport. Controlled 
airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument 
flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would 
change the airport name and update the geographic coordinates of the 
Punta Gorda Airport.

DATES: 0901 UTC. Comments must be received on or before November 10, 
2011. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation 
by reference action under title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 
51, subject to the annual revision of FAA, Order 7400.9 and publication 
of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001; Telephone: 1-
800-647-5527; Fax: 202-493-2251. You must identify the Docket Number 
FAA-2011-0347; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASO-11, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit and review received comments through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    You may review the public docket containing the rule, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office 
(see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 350, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 
30337.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Fornito, Airspace Specialist, 
Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-6364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire. 
Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and 
suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing reasoned 
regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited 
on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and 
energy-related aspects of the proposal. Communications should identify 
both docket numbers (FAA docket number. FAA-2011-0347; Airspace Docket 
No. 11-ASO-11) and be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Management 
System (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number). You may 
also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Those wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of 
their comments on this notice must submit with those comments a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. The postcard will be date/time stamped and 
returned to the commenter. All communications received before the 
specified closing date for comments will be considered before taking 
action on the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may 
be changed in light of the comments received. A report summarizing each 
substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this 
rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from and 
comments submitted through http://www.regulations.gov. Recently 
published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's 
Web page at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/. Additionally, any person may obtain 
a copy of this notice by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, ATA-
400, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling 
(202) 267-8783. Communications must identify both docket numbers for 
this notice. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for 
future NPRM's should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-
9677, to request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the 
application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to establish Class D airspace, Class E 
surface area airspace and Class E airspace designated as an extension 
to a Class D surface area at Punta Gorda Airport, Punta Gorda, FL. 
Controlled airspace is necessary to support the operation of the new 
air traffic control tower, and would enhance the safety and management 
of IFR operations at the airport. Also, the airspace designation for 
existing Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface would note the name change from Charlotte County Airport to 
Punta Gorda Airport, Punta Gorda, FL and would adjust the geographic 
coordinates to be in concert with the FAAs aeronautical database.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 
5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005 respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9V, dated 
August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, which is incorporated 
by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and E airspace designations 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical

[[Page 59307]]

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, would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    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 proposed 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 proposed regulation is within the scope 
of that authority as it would establish Class D and E airspace and 
amend existing Class E airspace at Punta Gorda Airport, Punta Gorda, 
FL.

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

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

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

Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9V, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 
2011, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO FL D Punta Gorda, FL [New]

Punta Gorda Airport, FL
    (Lat. 26[deg]55'08'' N., long. 81[deg]59'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface up to and 
including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of the Punta Gorda 
Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during specific 
dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in 
the Airport/Facility Directory.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ASO FL E2 Punta Gorda, FL [New]

Punta Gorda Airport, FL
    (Lat. 26[deg]55'08'' N., long. 81[deg]59'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending from the surface up to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Punta Gorda Airport. This 
Class E airspace area is effective during specific dates and times 
established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and 
time will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/
Facility Directory.

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D Surface Area.

* * * * *

ASO FL E4 Punta Gorda, FL [New]

Punta Gorda Airport, FL
    (Lat. 26[deg]55'08'' N., long. 81[deg]59'27'' W.)
    That airspace extending from the surface 2.4 mile either side of 
the 036[deg] bearing from Punta Gorda Airport extending from the 
4.5-mile radius to 7.0 miles northeast of the airport. This Class E 
airspace area is effective during specific dates and times 
established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and 
time will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/
Facility Directory.

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

* * * * *

ASO FL E5 Punta Gorda, FL [Amended]

Punta Gorda Airport, FL
    (Lat. 26[deg]55'08'' N., long. 81[deg]59'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Punta Gorda Airport.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on September 16, 2011.
Mark D. Ward,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2011-24640 Filed 9-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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