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[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 199 (Tuesday, October 14, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60622-60623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24109]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0983; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASO-14]

Modification of Class D Airspace; MacDill AFB, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class D Airspace at MacDill AFB, FL. The 
MacDill AFB Air Traffic Control Tower no longer operates on a full time 
basis; therefore, the Class D Airspace associated with the tower 
operations must be modified to reflect the times when the controlled 
airspace is effective. This action enhances the National Airspace 
System by relaxing the restrictions to the controlled airspace areas in 
the vicinity of MacDill AFB, FL.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, January 15, 2009. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments. 
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 28, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001; 
Telephone: 1-800-647-5527; Fax: 202-493-2251. You must identify the 
Docket Number FAA-2008-0983; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASO-14, at the 
beginning of your comments. You may also submit and review received 
comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    You may review the public docket containing the rule, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office 
(see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. An informal 
docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office 
of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 
210, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melinda Giddens, Operations Support 
Group, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30320; Telephone (404) 305-5610, Fax 404-305-5572.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

    The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
or negative comments, and, therefore, issues it as a direct final rule. 
The FAA has determined that this rule only involves an established body 
of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are 
necessary to keep them operationally current. Unless a written adverse 
or negative comment or a written notice of intent to submit an adverse 
or negative comment is received within the comment period, the 
regulation will become effective on the date specified above. After the 
close of the comment period, the FAA will publish a document in the 
Federal Register indicating that no adverse or negative comments were 
received and confirming the effective date. If the FAA receives, within 
the comment period, an adverse or negative comment, or written notice 
of intent to submit such a comment, a document withdrawing the direct 
final rule will be published in the Federal Register, and a notice of 
proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment period.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a direct final rule, and was 
not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, interested persons are 
invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, 
or arguments as they may desire. The direct final rule is used in this 
case to facilitate the timing of the charting schedule and enhance the 
operation at the airport, while still allowing and requesting public 
comment on this rulemaking action. An electronic copy of this document 
may be downloaded from and comments submitted through http://www.regulations.gov. Communications should identify both docket numbers 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the 
caption ADDRESSES above or through the Web site. All communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, 
and this rule may be amended or withdrawn in light of the comments 
received. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed 
through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov or the Federal 
Register's Web page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. Factual information that supports 
the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in 
evaluating the effectiveness of this action and determining whether 
additional rulemaking action would be needed. All comments submitted 
will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, 
in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. Those 
wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in 
response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on 
which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. FAA-
2008-0983; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASO-14.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 modifies Class D airspace at MacDill AFB, FL, by adding to the 
description of the controlled airspace area the hours of operation of 
the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at MacDill AFB. The ATCT at 
MacDill AFB operates on an other than full-time basis and, therefore, 
the Class D Airspace associated with the tower operations must be 
modified to reflect the times when the controlled airspace is 
effective. Controlled airspace extending upward from the surface of the 
Earth is required to encompass the airspace necessary for instrument 
approaches for aircraft operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). 
The current Class D airspace areas are sufficient for these approaches, 
so no additional controlled airspace must be defined. Effective times 
for the MacDill AFB Class D airspace areas will be published first by 
Notice to Airman, and then thereafter published continuously

[[Page 60623]]

in the Airport/Facility Directory. The FAA is amending Title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by modifying the Class D 
airspace description at MacDill AFB to reflect the effective times of 
the Air Traffic Control Tower's operation. Designations for Class D 
airspace areas extending upward from the surface of the Earth are 
published in FAA Order 7400.9R, signed August 15, 2007 effective 
September 15, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 
71.1. The Class D designations listed in this document will be 
published subsequently in the Order.

Agency Findings

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among various levels of government. Therefore, it is 
determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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, is 
non-controversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
comments. 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 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 modifies controlled airspace at MacDill AFB, FL.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (Air).

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 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]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.9R, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, signed August 15, 2007, effective September 15, 2007, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace

* * * * *

ASO FL D MacDill AFB, FL [Revised]

MacDill AFB, FL
    (Lat. 27[deg]50'58'' N., long 82[deg]31'16'' W.)
Albert Whitted Airport
    (Lat. 27[deg]45'54'' N., long 82[deg]37'37'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface of the Earth to 
and including 2,600 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of MacDill 
AFB; excluding the portion within the Tampa International Airport, 
FL, Class B airspace area; excluding that portion southwest of a 
line connecting the 2 points of intersection with a 4-mile radius 
circle centered on the Albert Whitted Airport. 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 College Park, Georgia, on September 26, 2008.
Mark D. Ward,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
 [FR Doc. E8-24109 Filed 10-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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