[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 7, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58512-58513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23753]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0960; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-17]


Proposed Establishment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Conroe, 
TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class D airspace and Class E 
Surface Area airspace at Lone Star Executive Airport, Conroe, TX. The 
establishment of an air traffic control tower has made these actions 
necessary for the safety of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at 
Lone Star Executive Airport. Class D airspace will revert to a Class E2 
Surface Area during periods when the control tower is not operating.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 21, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001. You 
must identify the docket number FAA-2008-0960/Airspace Docket No. 08-
ASW-17, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments 
through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. You may review the 
public docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any 
final disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office 
(telephone 1-800-647-5527) is on the ground floor of the building at 
the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Enander, Central Service Area, 
System Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76193-0530; telephone: (817) 
222-5582.

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 both docket numbers 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 Docket No. FAA-2008-0960/
Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-17.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov or the Superintendent of Document's Web page at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
    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

    This action proposes to amend Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
(14 CFR), Part 71 by establishing a Class D airspace area and Class E 
Surface Area for IFR operations at Lone Star Executive Airport, Conroe, 
TX. The Class D airspace will revert to a Class E Surface Area during 
those periods when the control tower is not operating. These areas 
would be depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts.
    Class D airspace areas are published in Paragraph 5000 of FAA Order 
7400.9R, dated August 15, 2007, and effective September 15, 2007, 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.
    Class E Surface Areas are published in Paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 
7400.9R, dated August 15, 2007, and effective September 15, 2007, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E Surface Area 
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 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.

[[Page 58513]]

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 would establish controlled 
airspace at Lone Star Executive Airport, Conroe, TX.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (Air).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, 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; 
AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

    1. The authority citation for 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9R, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 15, 2007, and effective September 15, 
2007, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASW TX D Conroe, TX (New)

Lone Star Executive Airport, TX
    (Lat. 30[deg]21'09'' N., long. 95[deg]24'52'' W.)
Humble VORTAC
    (Lat. 29[deg]57'25'' N., long. 95[deg]20'45'' W.)
Navasota VORTAC
    (Lat. 30[deg]17'19'' N., long. 96[deg]03'30'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 4.1-mile radius of Lone Star Executive 
Airport, excluding that airspace within the 4.1-mile radius north 
and east of the intersection of the IAH 352[deg] radial and the TNV 
075[deg] radial. 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.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Conroe, TX (New)

Lone Star Executive Airport, TX
    (Lat. 30[deg]21'09'' N., long. 95[deg]24'52'' W.)
Humble VORTAC
    (Lat. 29[deg]57'25'' N., long. 95[deg]20'45'' W.)
Navasota VORTAC
    (Lat. 30[deg]17'19'' N., long. 96[deg]03'30'' W.)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of Lone Star Executive Airport, 
excluding that airspace within the 4.1-mile radius north and east of 
the intersection of the IAH 352[deg] radial and the TNV 075[deg] 
radial. 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, TX on September 25, 2008.
Donald R. Smith,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
 [FR Doc. E8-23753 Filed 10-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P