[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31019-31020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15641]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-ASW-14]


Revocation of Class E Airspace; Johnson City, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action revokes the Class E airspace at Johnson City, TX. 
This revocation of Class E airspace results from the decommissioning of 
the standard instrument approach procedures (SIAP's) at Johnson City 
Airport, Johnson City, TX. This action is intended to revoke the Class 
E airspace at Johnson City, TX, that was previously needed to protect 
aircraft operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) at Johnson City 
Airport.

DATES: Effective date. 0901 UTC, July 5, 1996.
    Comment date. Comments must be received on or before August 19, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to Manager, 
Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Southwest Region, Docket No. 96-ASW-14, Fort Worth, TX 
76193-0530.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Boulevard, Room 663, Fort Worth, TX, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An informal 
docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the 
Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Southwest Region, Room 414, Fort Worth, TX.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donald J. Day, Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, Southwest 
Region, Federal Aviation Administration, Fort Worth, TX 76193-0530, 
Telephone: 817-222-5593.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Request for Comments on the Rule

    Although this action is a final rule, which involves the revocation 
of Class E airspace at Johnson City, TX, and was not preceded by notice 
and public procedure, comments are invited on the rule. However, after 
the review of any comments and, if the FAA finds that further changes 
are appropriate, it will initiate rulemaking proceedings to extend the 
effective date or to amend the regulation.
    Interested parties are invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and 
suggestions presented are particularly helpful in evaluating the 
effects of the rule, and in determining whether additional rulemaking 
is required.
    Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraph 6005 of 
FAA Order 7400.9C dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16, 
1995, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E 
airspace designation listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 71) revokes the Class E airspace providing controlled airspace 
for IFR operations at Johnson City Airport, Johnson City, TX. The 
current Class E airspace description includes airspace to protect 
aircraft operating under IFR at the airport. The SIAP to Johnson City 
Airport was decommissioned, and there is no longer a published IFR 
approach to that airport. Therefore, Class E airspace is no longer 
needed.
    Since this action merely revokes Class E airspace as a result of 
the elimination of IFR approach and departure requirements at Johnson 
City Airport, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are 
unnecessary. The Class E airspace must be revoked to avoid

[[Page 31020]]

confusion on the part of the pilots flying in the vicinity of the 
airport, and to promote the safe and efficient handling of air traffic 
in the area.
    Therefore, we find that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 
553(d) are unnecessary and good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in less than thirty days.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations that need frequent and 
routine amendments 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 will not have a significant 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).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854; 24 FR 
9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 14 CFR 
11.69.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9C, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16, 
1995, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace areas from 700 feet or more above 
the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Johnson City, TX [Revoked]

* * * * *
    Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on June 11, 1996.
Albert L. Viselli,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, South.
[FR Doc. 96-15641 Filed 6-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M