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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 10, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74008-74009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29221]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0658; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-17]

Amendment of Class E Airspace; Del Rio, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at Del Rio, TX. Controlled 
airspace is necessary to accommodate new circling approach requirements 
at Laughlin Air Force Base (AFB). The FAA is taking this action to 
enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) 
operations at the airport. Geographic coordinates are also updated.

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, February 6, 2014. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR Part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Enander, Central Service Center, 
Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone 817-321-
7716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On August 26, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class E airspace for the 
Del Rio, TX, area, creating additional controlled airspace at Laughlin 
AFB (78 FR 52716) Docket No. FAA-2013-0658. Interested parties were 
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written 
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. Class E 
airspace designations are published in paragraph 6003 of FAA Order 
7400.9X dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 2013, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace 
designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
Part 71 by amending Class E airspace designated as an extension to a 
Class C surface area at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX. An additional 
segment to the north is needed to contain approach category E military 
aircraft conducting circling approaches to the airport, to retain the 
safety and management of IFR aircraft in Class E airspace to/from the 
en route environment. Geographic coordinates are also updated to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.
    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. 
Therefore, this regulation: (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.
    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 establishes additional controlled airspace at Laughlin AFB, Del 
Rio, TX.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action 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 14 CFR Part 71 continues 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.

[[Page 74009]]

Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9X, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 
2013, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6003 Class E airspace designated as an extension.

* * * * *

ASW TX E3 Del Rio, TX [Amended]

Del Rio, Laughlin AFB, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]21'34'' N., long. 100[deg]46'40'' W.)
Laughlin VORTAC
    (Lat. 29[deg]21'39'' N., long. 100[deg]46'18'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 2 miles 
each side of the 003[deg] radial of the Laughlin VORTAC extending 
from the 5-mile radius of Laughlin AFB to 10 miles north of the 
airport, and from the 060[deg] radial of the Laughlin VORTAC 
clockwise to the 195[deg] radial, extending from the 5-mile radius 
of Laughlin AFB to the 5.5-mile radius, and 2.6 miles each side of 
the 145[deg] radial of the Laughlin VORTAC extending from the 5.5-
mile radius of Laughlin AFB to 6.6 miles southeast of the airport, 
and 2.6 miles each side of the 305[deg] radial of the Laughlin 
VORTAC extending from the 5-mile radius of Laughlin AFB to 6.6 miles 
northwest of Laughlin AFB, and from the 333[deg] radial of the 
Laughlin VORTAC clockwise to the 342[deg] radial, extending from the 
5-mile radius of Laughlin AFB to the 5.5-mile radius. This Class E 
airspace area is effective during the 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.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 25, 2013.
David P. Medina,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-29221 Filed 12-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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