Document ID: FAA-2013-0806-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Establishment of Class E Airspace: Tri-Cities, TN
Posted Date: 2014-04-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 79 (Thursday, April 24, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22767-22768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09152]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0806; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-21]

Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, and Establishment of 
Class E Airspace; Tri-Cities, TN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D and Class E Airspace, and 
establishes Class E airspace at Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Tri-
Cities, TN. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary to alleviate traffic 
issues in the surrounding area for Johnson City Airport and Edwards 
Heliport so aircraft can navigate in and out of their respective 
airports in Visual Flight Rules conditions under 700 feet. This action 
enhances the safety and airspace management of aircraft within the Tri-
Cities, TN area.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, July 24, 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.

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 February 12, 2014, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class D airspace and 
Class E surface area airspace, and establish Class E airspace 
designated as an extension to Class D airspace at Tri-Cities Regional 
Airport, Tri-Cities, TN. (79 FR 8360). 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 6004, 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 Class 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 amends Class D airspace and Class E surface area airspace, and 
establishes Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D 
surface area at Tri Cities Regional Airport, Tri-Cities, TN. Both the 
Class D airspace area and Class E surface area airspace is reduced from 
a 6.8-mile radius of the airport to within a 4.3-mile radius of the 
airport. This action also establishes Class E airspace designated as an 
extension to a Class D surface area within a 4.3-mile radius of Tri-
Cities Airport, with a segment extending from the 4.3-mile radius of 
the airport to 6.8 miles northeast of the airport. This action 
alleviates congestion for aircraft traveling to/from two neighboring 
airports, Edwards Heliport and Johnson City Airport in Visual Flight 
Rules conditions under 700 feet.
    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

[[Page 22768]]

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 amends 
controlled airspace in the Tri-Cities, TN, area.

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 7400.9X, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated August 7, 2013, effective September 15, 2013, is amended 
as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO TN D Tri-Cities, TN [Amended]

Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
    (Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
4,000 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Tri-Cities Regional 
Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific 
days and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective days and times will thereafter be continuously published 
in the Airport/Facility Directory.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ASO TN E2 Tri-Cities, TN [Amended]

Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
    (Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.3-
mile radius of Tri-Cities Regional Airport. This Class E airspace 
area is effective during the specific days and times established in 
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective days and times will 
thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility 
Directory.

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a 
Class D Surface Area.

* * * * *

ASO TN E4 Tri-Cities, TN [New]

Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA
    (Lat. 36[deg]28'31'' N., long. 82[deg]24'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending from the surface within 2.5-miles either 
side of the 043[deg] bearing from Tri-Cities Regional Airport, 
extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 6.8-miles northeast of the 
airport. This Class E 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.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on April 14, 2014.
Myron A. Jenkins,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2014-09152 Filed 4-23-14; 8:45 am]
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