Document ID: FAA-2018-0138-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Class D and E Airspace; Amendments; Class E Airspace; Establishments: Austin, TX; Georgetown and Austin, TX
Posted Date: 2018-08-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43970-43972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18645]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0138; Airspace Docket No. 18-ASW-5]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of Class D and E Airspace; Austin, TX; and 
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Georgetown, TX, and Austin, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace at San Marcos Regional 
Airport, Austin, TX; establishes Class E airspace designated as a 
surface area at Georgetown Municipal Airport, Georgetown, TX, and San 
Marcos Regional Airport; and amends Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface at San Marco Regional Airport and 
Lockhart Municipal Airport, Lockhart, TX. This action is at the request 
of Austin Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)/Terminal Radar Approach 
Control (TRACON) to establish part-time Class E airspace designated as 
a surface area at Georgetown Municipal Airport and San Marcos Regional 
Airport and to review the associated airspace for the safety and 
management of instrument flight rule (IFR) operations at these 
airports. The name of San Marcos Regional Airport is updated to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database, and the outdated term 
``Airport/Facility Directory'' is replaced with the term ``Chart 
Supplement''.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, November 8, 2018. 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 7400.11 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 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: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.

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 amends Class D airspace at San Marcos Regional Airport, Austin, 
TX; establishes Class E airspace designated as a surface area at 
Georgetown Municipal Airport, Georgetown, TX, and San Marcos Regional 
Airport; and amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at San Marco Regional Airport and Lockhart Municipal 
Airport, Lockhart, TX, to support IFR operations at these airports.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the 
Federal Register (83 FR 25971; June 5, 2018) for Docket No. FAA-2018-
0138 to amend Class D airspace at San Marcos Regional Airport, Austin, 
TX; establish Class E airspace designated as a surface area at 
Georgetown Municipal Airport, Georgetown, TX, and San Marcos Regional 
Airport; and amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at San Marco Regional Airport and Lockhart Municipal 
Airport, Lockhart, TX. Interested parties were invited to participate 
in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the 
proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 
5000, 6002, and 6005, respectively, 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 D and E airspace designations 
listed in this document will be published subsequently 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,

[[Page 43971]]

air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71:
    Amends the location in the header of the airspace legal description 
of the Class D airspace from San Marcos, TX, to Austin, TX, to coincide 
with the FAA's aeronautical database; amends the radius to within a 
4.3-mile radius (increased from a 4.2-mile radius) of San Marcos 
Regional Airport (formerly San Marcos Municipal Airport), Austin, TX; 
adds an extension 1.0 mile each side of the 306[deg] bearing from the 
San Marcos Regional: RWY 13-LOC extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 
4.6 miles northwest of the airport; updates the name of the airport to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and makes an editorial 
change to the airspace legal description replacing ``Airport/Facility 
Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Establishes Class E airspace designated as a surface area within a 
4.3-mile radius of San Marcos Regional Airport, Austin, TX, with an 
extension 1.0 mile each side of the 306[deg] bearing from the San 
Marcos Regional: RWY 13-LOC extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 4.6 
miles northwest of the airport; and with an extension 1.0 mile each 
side of the 313[deg] bearing from the airport from the 4.3-mile radius 
to 5.0 miles northwest of the airport; and with an extension 1.0 mile 
each side of the 268[deg] bearing from the airport from the 4.3-mile 
radius to 4.4 miles west of the airport; and with an extension 1.0 mile 
each side of the 358[deg] bearing from the airport from the 4.3-mile 
radius to 4.4 miles north of the airport;
    Establishes Class E airspace designated as a surface area within a 
4.1-mile radius of Georgetown Municipal Airport, Georgetown, TX; and
    Amends the location in the header of the airspace legal description 
of the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface from San Marcos, TX, to Austin, TX, to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; amends the radius to within a 6.8-mile radius 
(increased from a 6.7-mile radius) of San Marcos Regional Airport 
(formerly San Marcos Municipal Airport), Austin, TX; amends the 
extension to the northwest of the airport to 12.0 miles (increased from 
11.1 miles); amends the extension to the east of the airport to 10.5 
miles (increased from 10.4 miles); amends the extension to the 
southeast of the airport to 9.7 miles (increased from 9.6 miles); 
amends the extension to the south of the airport to 10.5 miles 
(increased from 10.4 miles); and amends the radius to within 6.4-miles 
(increased from a 6.3-mile radius) of Lockhart Municipal Airport, 
Lockhart, TX, included in the Austin, TX, airspace legal description.
    This action is at the request of Austin ATCT/TRACON to establish 
part-time Class E airspace designated as a surface areas at Georgetown 
Municipal Airport and San Marcos Regional Airport and to review the 
associated airspace for the safety and management of IFR operations at 
these airports.

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, 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 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 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 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, dated August 3, 2017, and 
effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASW TX D Austin, TX [Amended]

San Marcos Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]53'34'' N, long. 97[deg]51'47'' W)
San Marcos Regional: RWY 13-LOC
    (Lat. 29[deg]53'03'' N, long. 97[deg]51'15'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,100 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of San Marcos Regional 
Airport, and within 1.0 mile each side of the San Marcos Regional: 
RWY13-LOC extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 4.6 miles northwest 
of the airport, and within 1.0 mile each side of the 313[deg] 
bearing from the airport extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 5.0 
miles northwest of the airport, and within 1.0 mile each side of the 
268[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.3-mile radius 
to 4.4 miles west of the airport, and within 1.0 mile each side of 
the 358[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.3-mile 
radius to 4.4 miles north of the airport. This Class D airspace area 
is effective during the specific dates and times established in 
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective dates and times will 
thereafter be continually published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Austin, TX [New]

San Marcos Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]53'34'' N, long. 97[deg]51'47'' W)
San Marcos Regional: RWY 13-LOC
    (Lat. 29[deg]53'03'' N, long. 97[deg]51'15'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,100 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of San Marcos Regional 
Airport, and within 1.0 mile each side of the San Marcos Regional: 
RWY13-LOC extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 4.6 miles northwest 
of the airport, and within 1.0 mile each side of the 313[deg] 
bearing from the airport extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 5 
miles northwest of the airport, and within 1.0 mile each side of the 
268[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.3-mile radius 
to 4.4 miles west of the airport, and within 1.0 mile each side of 
the 358[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.3-mile 
radius to 4.4 miles north of the airport. This Class E airspace area 
is effective during the specific dates and times established in 
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective dates and times will 
thereafter be continually published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *

[[Page 43972]]

ASW TX E2 Georgetown, TX [New]

Georgetown Municipal Airport, TX
    (Lat. 30[deg]40'44'' N, long. 97[deg]40'46'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,300 feet MSL within a 4.1-mile radius of Georgetown Municipal 
Airport. This Class E airspace is effective during the specific 
dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective dates and times will thereafter be continuously published 
in the Chart Supplement.

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

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Austin, TX [Amended]

San Marcos Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]53'34'' N, long. 97[deg]51'47'' W)
Lockhart Municipal Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]51'01'' N, long. 97[deg]40'21'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.8-mile radius of San Marcos Regional Airport, and within 
2 miles each side of the 268[deg] bearing from the airport extending 
from the 6.8-mile radius to 13.1 miles west of the airport, and 
within 2 miles each side of the 313[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 12.0 miles northwest of the 
airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 088[deg] bearing from 
the airport extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 10.5 miles east of 
the airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 133[deg] bearing 
from the airport extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 9.7 miles 
southeast of the airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 
178[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 6.8-mile radius 
to 10.5 miles south of the airport, and within a 6.4-mile radius of 
Lockhart Municipal Airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 22, 2018.
Walter Tweedy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2018-18645 Filed 8-28-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P