[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 85 (Monday, May 4, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24500-24501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11767]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98-ANM-07]


Proposed Modification of Class D Airspace; Colorado Springs USAF 
Academy Airstrip, CO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This proposal would amend the Class D airspace area at 
Colorado Springs United States Air Force (USAF) Academy Airstrip, CO. 
The intended effect of this action is to provide additional airspace in 
the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) traffic pattern by increasing the ceiling 
of the Class D airspace from 8600'MSL to 8800 MSL.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 18, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, 
Airspace Branch, ANM-520, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 
98-ANM-07, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    The official docket may be examined in the office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel for the Northwest Mountain Region at the same address.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the office of the Manager, Air Traffic Division, Airspace 
Branch, at the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dennis Ripley, ANM-520.6, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 
98-ANM-07, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-4056; 
telephone number: (425) 227-2527.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking 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 the airspace docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters 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 Airspace Docket No. 98-
ANM-07.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter. All communications received on or before the specified 
closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on 
the proposed rule. The proposal contain in this notice may be changed 
in the light of comments received. All comments submitted will be 
available for examination at the address listed above, both before and 
after the closing date, for comments. A report summarizing each 
substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this 
rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the

[[Page 24501]]

Federal Aviation Administration, Airspace Branch, ANM-520, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Communications must identify 
the notice number of this NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a 
mailing list for future NPRM's should also request a copy of Advisory 
Circular No. 11-2A, which describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR 71) to modify Class D airspace at Colorado 
Springs USAF Academy Airstrip, CO. The USAF Academy has seen 
substantial development adjacent to the airfield in recent years 
causing the VFR traffic pattern altitude to be increased to 7800'MSL 
(1000'AGL). In the interest of safety at this high intensity student 
training area, it is considered reasonable and necessary to have a 
1000' Class D airspace area above the standard VFR traffic pattern. The 
1000' of Class D area allows a student pilot a safety area of 500' 
above the standard VFR traffic pattern and still have 500' from 
overflights of the USAF Class D airspace. This proposal would satisfy 
the requirement of a 1000' safety area by increasing the Class D 
airspace area from 8600'MSL to 8800 MSL.
    The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot 
reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class D airspace areas designated as surface areas 
are published in Paragraph 5000 of FAA Order 7400.9E dated September 
10, 1997, and effective September 16, 1997, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D airspace designation listed in 
this document would be published subsequently in the Order.
    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 rule, when promulgated,, will not have a 
signficiant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND 
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

    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.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 
1997, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000  General.

* * * * *

ANM CO D Colorado Springs USAF Academy Airstrip, CO [Revised]

Colorado Springs USAF Academy Airstrip, CO
    (Lat. 38 deg.58'11'' N, long. 104 deg.48'47'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
8,800 feet MSL within a 3-mile radius of the USAF Academy Airstrip, 
excluding that airspace within the Colorado Springs, CO. Class C 
airspace area. This Class D 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 Seattle, Washington, on April 6, 1998.
Joe E. Gingles,
Acting Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Northwest Mountain 
Region.
[FR Doc. 98-11767 Filed 5-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M