Document ID: FAA-2018-0632-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Amendment of Chicago Class B and Chicago Class C Airspace: Chicago, IL
Posted Date: 2018-08-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 159 (Thursday, August 16, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40662-40664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17596]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0632; Airspace Docket No. 17-AWA-4]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of Chicago Class B and Chicago Class C Airspace; 
Chicago, IL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule, technical amendment.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the Chicago, IL, Class B airspace area 
description by changing references for defining the center point of the 
Chicago Class B airspace from the Chicago O'Hare VHF Omnidirectional 
Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) to ``Point of Origin.'' 
The ``Point of Origin'' uses the same geographic coordinates as the 
Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME location. This action also amends the Chicago 
Midway Airport, IL, Class C airspace description by changing the 
reference for defining a portion of the Class C airspace boundary from 
using the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME to using the geographic coordinates of 
the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME instead. The FAA is taking this action due 
to the planned decommissioning of the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME. 
Additionally, the Chicago Class B and Chicago Midway Airport Class C 
airspace descriptions are edited further to reflect the Chicago Midway 
International Airport name change to match the current information in 
the FAA's aeronautical database, and the Chicago Midway Airport Class C 
airspace designation is amended to remove the airport name from the 
airspace designation to comply with FAA regulatory guidance. These 
changes are editorial only and do not alter the current charted 
boundaries, altitudes, or ATC procedures for the Chicago Class B or the 
Chicago Midway International Airport Class C airspace areas.

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, October 11, 2018. 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 7400.11 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further

[[Page 40663]]

information, you can contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783. The Order is also available for 
inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of FAA Order 7400.11B at NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy Group, 
Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

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 
the 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 makes editorial corrections to existing Class B and 
Class C airspace descriptions to maintain accuracy.

History

    The FAA is planning to decommission the Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME 
in January 2019 in support of construction activities for creating a 
new runway at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. To ensure there 
will be no change to the existing charted boundaries of the Chicago 
Class B or Chicago Midway Airport Class C airspace areas, the FAA is 
retaining the geographic coordinates of the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME 
location as the center point for the Class B airspace and also using 
them to define a portion of the boundary of the Chicago Midway Airport 
Class C airspace.
    Class B airspace designations are published in paragraph 3000 and 
Class C airspace designations are published in paragraph 4000 of FAA 
Order 7400.11B, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class B and 
Class C airspace designations listed in this document will be 
subsequently published in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 
2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by editing the description of the Chicago, IL, Class B airspace 
and Chicago Midway Airport, IL, Class C airspace areas to remove 
references to the ``Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME'' and update the Chicago 
Midway International Airport name.
    In the Chicago Class B airspace description, the Chicago VOR/DME is 
replaced with ``Point of Origin'' for defining the center point of the 
Class B airspace area.
    In the Chicago Midway International Airport Class C airspace 
description, the arc around the Chicago VOR/DME is replaced by a radius 
around a point at the geographic coordinates of the Chicago VOR/DME for 
defining a portion of the Class C airspace boundary.
    The FAA is taking these actions so the currently charted boundaries 
of the Class B and Class C airspace areas are not affected by the 
planned decommissioning of the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME.
    The Chicago Class B and Chicago Class C airspace descriptions are 
also updated by changing the airport name Chicago Midway Airport to 
Chicago Midway International Airport, to be in concert with the data 
currently contained in the FAA's aeronautical database.
    Additionally, this action removes the airport name from the 
Chicago, IL, Class C airspace designation to comply with the FAA's 
regulatory guidance.
    Because this action is a minor editorial change that does not alter 
the currently charted boundaries, altitudes, or ATC procedures for the 
Chicago, IL, Class B and the Chicago Midway International Airport, IL, 
Class C airspace, I find that notice and public procedure under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest.

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. 
Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' 
under Department of Transportation (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 of amending the airspace 
descriptions of the Chicago, IL, Class B and Chicago Midway 
International Airport, IL, Class C airspace areas, by changing the 
references to the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME to ``Point of Origin'' in the 
Chicago Class B description and to using the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME 
geographic coordinates in the Chicago Midway Airport Class C 
description, due to the planned decommissioning of the Chicago, IL, 
VOR/DME, qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National 
Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321; its implementing regulations 
at 40 CFR part 1500; and its agency-specific implementing regulations 
in FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures'' regarding categorical exclusions for procedural actions at 
paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically excludes from full environmental 
impact review rulemaking actions that designate or modify classes of 
airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting points. This airspace 
action is an editorial change only and is not expected to result in any 
potentially significant environmental impacts. In accordance with FAA 
Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, 
this action has been reviewed for factors and circumstances in which a 
normally categorically excluded action may have a significant 
environmental impact requiring further analysis, and it is determined 
that no

[[Page 40664]]

extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

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--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR 
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

0
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.

Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.11B, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 3, 2017, and 
effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 3000 Subpart B--Class B Airspace.

* * * * *

AGL IL B Chicago, IL

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Primary Airport)
    (Lat. 41[deg]58'38'' N, long. 87[deg]54'29'' W)
Chicago Midway International Airport
    (Lat. 41[deg]47'10'' N, long. 87[deg]45'09'' W)
Point of Origin
    (Lat. 41[deg]59'16'' N, long. 87[deg]54'17'' W)

Boundaries

    Area A. That airspace extending upward from the surface to and 
including 10,000 feet MSL within an area bounded by a line beginning 
at lat. 42[deg]04'11'' N, long. 87[deg]55'31'' W; thence clockwise 
along the 5 NM radius of the Point of Origin to lat. 41[deg]59'15'' 
N, long. 87[deg]47'35'' W; thence east to lat. 41[deg]59'15'' N, 
long. 87[deg]46'15'' W; thence clockwise along the 6 NM radius of 
the Point of Origin to Interstate Highway 355 (I-355) 
(41[deg]57'16'' N, 88[deg]01'52'' W); thence north along I-355 to 
Interstate Highway 290 (I-290) (lat. 41[deg]57'12'' N, long. 
88[deg]01'56'' W); thence north along I-290 to the 6 NM radius of 
the Point of Origin (lat. 42[deg]01'17'' N, long. 88[deg]01'52'' W); 
thence clockwise along the 6 NM radius of the Point of Origin to 
U.S. Highway 12 (lat. 42[deg]05'03'' N, long. 87[deg]56'26'' W); 
thence southeast along U.S. Highway 12 to the point of beginning.
    Area B. That airspace extending upward from 1,900 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL within an area bounded by a line 
beginning at the intersection of the 5 NM radius of the Point of 
Origin and the railroad tracks at lat. 42[deg]03'57'' N, long. 
87[deg]51'55'' W; thence northeast along the railroad tracks to 
Willow Road (lat. 42[deg]06'20'' N, long. 87[deg]49'38'' W); thence 
east along Willow Road to the 10 NM radius of the Point of Origin 
(lat. 42[deg]06'04'' N, long. 87[deg]44'26'' W); thence clockwise 
along the 10 NM radius of the Point of Origin to the 5 NM radius of 
Chicago Midway International Airport (lat. 41[deg]49'34'' N, long. 
87[deg]51'00'' W); thence counterclockwise along the 5 NM radius of 
the Chicago Midway International Airport to the 10.5 NM radius of 
the Point of Origin (lat. 41[deg]48'59'' N, long. 87[deg]51'22'' W); 
thence clockwise along the 10.5 NM radius of the Point of Origin to 
the 10 NM radius of the Chicago Midway International Airport (lat. 
41[deg]49'11'' N, long. 87[deg]58'14'' W); thence clockwise along 
the 10 NM radius of Chicago Midway International Airport to the 10 
NM radius of the Point of Origin (lat. 41[deg]49'40'' N, long. 
87[deg]58'05'' W); thence clockwise along the 10 NM radius of the 
Point of Origin to U.S. Highway 12 (lat. 42[deg]08'01'' N, long. 
88[deg]00'46'' W); thence southeast along U.S. Highway 12 to the 5 
NM radius of the Point of Origin (lat. 42[deg]04'10'' N, long. 
87[deg]55'31'' W); thence clockwise along the 5 NM radius of the 
Point of Origin to the point of beginning, excluding that airspace 
designated as Area A.
    Area C. That airspace extending upward from 3,000 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL within an area bounded by the 15 NM 
radius of the Point of Origin, excluding that airspace designated as 
Area A, Area B, Area G, and Area H.
    Area D. That airspace extending upward from 3,600 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL within an area bounded by a line 
beginning at lat. 42[deg]07'52'' N, long. 88[deg]10'47'' W; thence 
northwest to the 25 NM radius of the Point of Origin (lat. 
42[deg]15'40'' N, long. 88[deg]19'39'' W); thence clockwise along 
the 25 NM radius of the Point of Origin to lat. 41[deg]42'03'' N, 
long. 88[deg]18'34'' W; thence northeast to the 15 NM radius of the 
Point of Origin (lat. 41[deg]49'53'' N, long. 88[deg]09'59'' W); 
thence clockwise along the 15 NM radius of the Point of Origin to 
the point of beginning, excluding that airspace designated as Area 
A, Area B, Area C, Area G, and Area H.
    Area E. That airspace extending upward from 4,000 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL within an area bounded by a line 
beginning at lat. 42[deg]11'11'' N, long. 87[deg]24'46'' W; thence 
east to the 30 NM radius of the Point of Origin (lat. 42[deg]10'39'' 
N, long. 87[deg]17'01'' W); thence clockwise along the 30 NM radius 
of the Point of Origin to lat. 41[deg]46'38'' N, long. 
87[deg]17'51'' W; thence west to the 25 NM radius of the Point of 
Origin (lat. 41[deg]46'40'' N, long. 87[deg]25'22'' W); thence 
counterclockwise along the 25 NM radius of the Point of Origin to 
the point of beginning.
    Area F. That airspace extending upward from 4,000 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL within an area bounded by a line 
beginning at lat. 42[deg]07'52'' N, long. 88[deg]10'47'' W; thence 
northwest to the 25 NM radius of the Point of Origin (lat. 
42[deg]15'40'' N, long. 88[deg]19'39'' W); thence counterclockwise 
along the 25 NM radius of the Point of Origin to Interstate 90 (lat. 
42[deg]07'22'' N, long. 88[deg]26'01'' W); thence west to the 30 NM 
radius of the Point of Origin (lat. 42[deg]07'21'' N, long. 
88[deg]33'05'' W); thence counterclockwise along the 30 NM radius of 
the Point of Origin to County Road 10 (lat. 41[deg]49'49'' N, long. 
88[deg]32'27'' W); thence east along County Road 10 to the 25 NM 
radius of the Point of Origin (lat. 41[deg]50'40'' N, long. 
88[deg]25'44'' W); thence counterclockwise along the 25 NM radius of 
the Point of Origin to lat. 41[deg]42'03'' N, long. 88[deg]18'34'' 
W; thence northeast to the 15 NM radius of the Point of Origin (lat. 
41[deg]49'53'' N, long. 88[deg]09'59'' W); thence clockwise along 
the 15 NM radius of the Point of Origin to the point of beginning.
    Area G. That airspace extending upward from 2,500 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL within an area bounded by a line 
beginning at lat. 42[deg]04'15'' N, long. 87[deg]54'56'' W; thence 
northwest to the 10 NM radius of the Point of Origin (lat. 
42[deg]09'00'' N, long. 87[deg]57'22'' W); thence counterclockwise 
along the 10 NM radius of the Point of Origin to U.S. Highway 12 
(lat. 42[deg]08'01'' N, long. 88[deg]00'46'' W); thence southeast 
along U.S. Highway 12 to the 5 NM radius of the Point of Origin 
(lat. 42[deg]04'11'' N, long. 87[deg]55'31'' W); thence clockwise 
along the 5 NM radius of the Point of Origin to the point of 
beginning.
    Area H. That airspace extending upward from 2,500 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL within an area bounded by a line 
beginning at the intersection of Willow Road and railroad tracks at 
lat. 42[deg]06'20'' N, long. 87[deg]49'38'' W; thence northeast 
along the railroad tracks to the 10 NM radius of the Point of Origin 
(lat. 42[deg]08'06'' N, long. 87[deg]48'00'' W); thence clockwise 
along the 10 NM radius of the Point of Origin to Willow Road (lat. 
42[deg]06'04'' N, long. 87[deg]44'26'' W); thence west along Willow 
Road to the point of beginning.
* * * * *

Paragraph 4000 Subpart C--Class C Airspace.

* * * * *

AGL IL C Chicago, IL

Chicago Midway International Airport, IL
    (Lat. 41[deg]47'10'' N, long. 87[deg]45'09'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to 3,600 feet 
MSL within a 5-mile radius of the Chicago Midway International 
Airport; and that airspace extending upward from 1,900 feet MSL to 
3,600 feet MSL within a 10-mile radius of the airport beginning from 
a line 2-miles northeast of and parallel to the Chicago Midway 
International Airport Runway 31C localizer course, thence clockwise 
along the 10-mile radius of the airport to the intersection with the 
10.5-mile radius around a point centered at lat. 41[deg]59'16'' N, 
long. 87[deg]54'17'' W, thence counterclockwise along that 10.5-mile 
radius to the intersection with the Chicago Midway International 
Airport 5-mile radius. This Class C airspace area excludes the 
airspace within the Chicago, IL, Class B airspace area.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 9, 2018.
Rodger A. Dean, Jr.,
Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-17596 Filed 8-15-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P