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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Aviation Administration

          - 14 CFR Part 71
          - [Docket No. FAA-2024-2084; Airspace Docket No. 24-AGL-14]
          - RIN 2120-AA66

# AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

# ACTION:

Final rule.

# SUMMARY:

This action establishes Class E airspace at Zeeland, MI. This action is due to the development of new public instrument procedures at the Ottawa Executive Airport, Zeeland, MI, and to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

# DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, April 17, 2025. 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 JO 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

# ADDRESSES:

                        A copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be viewed online at                         *www.regulations.gov*                         using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year.                    

                        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:

Rebecca Shelby, Federal Aviation Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5857.

# 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 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 the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ottawa Executive Airport, Zeeland, MI, to support IFR operations at this airport.

## History

                    The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2024-2084 in the                     **Federal Register**                     (89 FR 68376; August 26, 2024) proposing to establish Class E airspace at Zeeland, MI. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. Two comments were received by the end of the comment period October 10, 2024. One of the anonymous commenters stated their support for the                           ( print page 100738)                        proposed development of the Class E airspace at the Ottawa Executive Airport located in Zeeland, MI, believed that the development of a Class Echo airspace around Ottawa Executive Airport (Z98), will be greatly beneficial to the airport and its surrounding airports. They felt that since there is currently no published instrument procedures, it is unsafe for even instrumental rated pilots to attempt to navigate around the airport. It was also stated that Z98 should receive an AWOS system to ensure weather safety for pilots operating from the airport. They also, believed that the establishment of a Class E airspace would prove greatly beneficial to Ottawa Executive Airport.                

The other commenter expressed their support for the proposed development of Class E airspace at the Ottawa Executive Airport located in Zeeland, MI. Expressed that the change will significantly improve the safety of IFR operations at Z98. The 6.4-mile radius seems reasonable as the boundary for the airspace as this will establish safer approaches and departures under instrument operations. Also, stated that Z98, would be a great alternative as an airport with instrument procedures, if a pilot were not interested in entering the neighboring Class C and D airports. Commenter felt this would improve airport traffic and benefit the local economy. However, they would consider Z98 to obtain an AWOS/ASOS for METAs as an extra precaution, while this airport is developing a Class E. Overall, this proposal would be efficient in improving the safety and efficiency at the Ottawa Executive Airport in Zeeland, Michigan. The FAA only considers airports for Class E airspace establishment to support instrument flight rule operations at an airport.

## Incorporation by Reference

                    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 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 amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11J, 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 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 Rule

This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface to within a 6.4-mile radius of Ottawa Executive Airport, Zeeland, MI.

## Regulatory Notices and Analyses

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. 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 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.

## Environmental Review

The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures,” paragraph 5-6.5.a. 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.

# Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR 71

      - Airspace
      - Incorporation by reference
      - Navigation (air)

## 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

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.

§ 71.1

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

* * * * *

## AGL MI E5 Zeeland, MI [Establish]

Ottawa Executive Airport, MI, SD

(Lat. 42°49′02′′ N, long. 85°55′41′′ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.4-mile radius of the Ottawa Executive Airport.

* * * * *

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 5, 2024.

Martin A. Skinner,

Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.

[FR Doc. 2024-29317 Filed 12-12-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P