Document ID: FAA-2014-0220-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Establishment of Class D Airspace and Amendment of Class E Airspace: Blackstone, VA
Posted Date: 2014-09-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 16, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55354-55355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21912]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0220; Airspace Docket No. 14-AEA-5]

Establishment of Class D Airspace and Amendment of Class E 
Airspace; Blackstone, VA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class D airspace and amends Class E 
airspace at Blackstone, VA, to accommodate the new air traffic control 
tower at Allen C Perkinson Blackstone Army Airfield. Controlled 
airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument 
flight rules (IFR) operations at the airfield. This action updates the 
geographic coordinates of the airfield's Class E airspace, and adds 
exclusion of Restricted area airspace in Class D airspace.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, November 13, 2014. 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.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Y, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on line at http://www.faa.gov/airtraffic/publications/. The Order is also available for 
inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federalregister/
codeoffederal-regulations/ibrlocations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15. For further 
information, you can contact the Airspace Policy and ATC Procedures 
Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 29591; telephone: 202-267-8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Fornito, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. 
Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-6364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On May 23, 2014, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish Class D airspace and amend 
Class E airspace at Allen C Perkinson Blackstone Army Airfield, 
Blackstone, VA, (79-29696). 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 and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9Y, dated August 6, 
2014, and effective September 15, 2014, 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.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 establishes Class D airspace within a 4.2-mile radius of Allen 
C Perkinson Blackstone Army Airfield, Blackstone, VA, and amends Class 
E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 
6.7-mile radius of the airfield, to support the operation of the new 
air traffic control tower. Also, the geographic coordinates of the 
airfield are adjusted to be in concert with the FAA's aeronautical 
database.
    Additionally, this action amends the Class D description by adding 
the exclusion of that airspace within Restricted Area R-6602A and the 
Pickett 1 and 2 Military Operations Areas during the time those areas 
are active. Provisions to ensure the deconfliction between military 
activities and arrivals and departures at Allen C. Perkinson Blackstone 
Army Airfield will be specified in a Letter of Agreement between Air 
Traffic Control and the military using agencies.
    Except for the changes noted above, this rule is the same as 
published in the NPRM.
    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

[[Page 55355]]

promulgated, does 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 adds and amends controlled airspace at Allen C. Perkinson 
Blackstone Army Airfield, Blackstone, VA.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. 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(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 7400.9Y, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated August 6, 2014, and effective September 15, 2014, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.

* * * * *

AEA VA D Blackstone, VA [NEW]

Allen C Perkinson Blackstone Army Airfield, VA
    (Lat. 37[deg]04'29'' N., long. 77[deg]57'24'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface up to and 
including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Allen C 
Perkinson Blackstone Army Airfield; excluding that airspace within 
Restricted area R-6602A, Pickett 1 Military Operations Area, and 
Picket 2 Military Operations Area, when active. This Class D 
airspace area is effective during 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 6005 Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

AEA VA E5 Blackstone, VA [AMENDED]

Allen C Perkinson Blackstone Army Airfield, VA
    (Lat. 37[deg]04'29'' N., long. 77[deg]57'24'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.7-mile radius of Allen C Perkinson Blackstone Army 
Airfield.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on September 8, 2014.
Myron A. Jenkins,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2014-21912 Filed 9-15-14; 8:45 am]
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