Document ID: FAA-2014-0220-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Establishment of Class D Airspace; Amendment of Class E Airspace: Blackstone, VA.
Posted Date: 2014-05-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 100 (Friday, May 23, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29696-29697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11859]

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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]

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class D airspace and amend 
existing 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 
also would update the geographic coordinates of the airfield's existing 
Class E airspace.

DATES: 0901 UTC. Comments must be received on or before July 7, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule to: U. S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001; Telephone: 1-
800-647-5527; Fax: 202-493-2251. You must identify the Docket Number 
FAA-2014-0220; Airspace Docket No. 14-AEA-5, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit and review received comments through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule 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 (FAA docket number. FAA-2014-0220; Airspace Docket 
No. 14-AEA-5) and be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Management 
System (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number). You may 
also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Those wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on 
this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped 
postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket 
No. FAA-2014-0220; Airspace Docket No. 14-AEA-5.'' The postcard will be 
date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received before the specified closing date for 
comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. 
The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of the 
comments received. A report summarizing each substantive public contact 
with FAA personnel

[[Page 29697]]

concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from and 
comments submitted through http://www.regulations.gov. Recently 
published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's 
Web page at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see the ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
Holidays. An informal docket may also be examined between 8:00 a.m. and 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays at the office 
of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 
350, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337.
    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

    The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to establish Class D airspace within a 
4.2-mile radius of Allen C Perkinson Blackstone Army Airfield, 
Blackstone, VA, and amend existing Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface to within a 6.7-mile radius of the 
airfield, as well as adjust the geographic coordinates of the airfield 
to be in concert with the FAAs aeronautical database. This action is 
necessary to support the operation of the new air traffic control 
tower, and would enhance the safety and management of IFR operations at 
the airfield.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 
5000 and 6005 respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9X, dated August 7, 2013, 
and effective September 15, 2013, 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 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 proposed rule, when promulgated, would 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 proposed 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 proposed regulation is within the scope 
of that authority as it would establish Class D and amend Class E 
airspace at Allen C Perkinson Blackstone Army Airfield, Blackstone, VA.
    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, 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; AIR 
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 71 will continue 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 7400.9X, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 2013, 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. 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 May 15, 2015.
Myron A. Jenkins,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2014-11859 Filed 5-22-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P