Document ID: FAA-2014-0902-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Establishment of Class E Airspace: Tucumcari, NM; VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid
Posted Date: 2015-06-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34264-34265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14322]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0902; Airspace Docket No. 14-ASW-8]

Establishment of Class E Airspace; Tucumcari, NM

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at the Tucumcari VHF 
Omni-Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid (VORTAC), 
Tucumcari, NM, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) 
aircraft under control of Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center 
(ARTCC). This action enhances the safety and efficiency of aircraft 
operations within the National Airspace System (NAS).

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, August 20, 2015. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
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/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.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 Regulations 
Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 29591; telephone: 202-267-8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raul Garza, Jr., Central Service 
Center, Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone 
817-321-7654.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On December 9, 2014, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish Class E airspace for 
the Tucumcari, NM area, creating controlled airspace at the Tucumcari 
VORTAC within Albuquerque ARTCC boundaries (79 FR 72998) Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0902. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the 
FAA. One positive comment was received from the National Business 
Aviation Association.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005 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 E 
airspace designation 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 7400.9Y, airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2014, and effective September 15, 
2014. FAA Order 7400.9Y is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this final rule. FAA Order 7400.9Y lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
Part 71 by

[[Page 34265]]

establishing Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above 
the surface at the Tucumcari VORTAC navigation aid, Tucumcari, NM, to 
contain aircraft while in IFR conditions under control of Albuquerque 
ARTCC by safely vectoring aircraft from en route airspace to terminal 
areas. Controlled airspace is needed for the safety and management of 
IFR operations within the confines of Albuquerque ARTCC airspace.
    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 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.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. Subtitle 1, Section 106 (f), 
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 establishes controlled airspace at the Tucumcari VORTAC, 
Tucumcari, NM.

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.

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 7400.9Y, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2014, and 
effective September 15, 2014, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6006 Enroute Domestic Airspace Areas.

* * * * *

ASW NM E6 Tucumcari, NM [New]

Tucumcari VORTAC, NM
    Lat. 35[deg]10'56'' N., long. 103[deg]35'55'' W.

    That airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within an area bounded by lat. 37[deg]30'00'' N., long. 
102[deg]33'00'' W.; to lat. 36[deg]30'00'' N., long. 101[deg]45'00'' 
W.; to lat. 36[deg]23'50'' N., long. 101[deg]28'20'' W.; 
35[deg]12'30'' N., long. 105[deg]28'30'' W.; to lat. 36[deg]43'00'' 
N., long. 105[deg]20'30'' W.; to lat. 36[deg]43'00'' N., long. 
105[deg]00'00'' W.; thence to the point of beginning.

    Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on June 2, 2015.
Walter Tweedy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2015-14322 Filed 6-15-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P