Document ID: FAA-2016-4172-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Class E Airspace; Amendments: Blytheville, Brinkley, Clarksville, and DeQueen, AR
Posted Date: 2016-11-10T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 218 (Thursday, November 10, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78906-78908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27093]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2016-4172; Airspace Docket No. 16-ASW-7]

Amendment of Class E Airspace for the Following Arkansas Towns; 
Blytheville, AR; Brinkley, AR; Clarksville, AR; and DeQueen, AR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface at Arkansas International Airport, 
Blytheville, AR; Blytheville Municipal Airport, Blytheville, AR; Frank 
Federer Memorial Airport, Brinkley, AR; Clarksville Municipal Airport, 
Clarksville, AR; and J. Lynn Helms Sevier County Airport, De Queen, AR. 
Decommissioning of non-directional radio beacons (NDBs), cancellation 
of

[[Page 78907]]

NDB approaches, and implementation of area navigation (RNAV) procedures 
have made this action necessary for the safety and management of 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the above airports. This 
action also updates the name of Arkansas International Airport, and the 
geographic coordinates for Arkansas International Airport, Blytheville 
Municipal Airport, and Clarksville Municipal Airport, to coincide with 
the FAA's aeronautical database.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, March 2, 2017. 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 7400.11A, 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 7400.11A at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11A, 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 E airspace at Arkansas International Airport, 
Blytheville, AR; Blytheville Municipal Airport, Blytheville, AR; Frank 
Federer Memorial Airport, Brinkley, AR; Clarksville Municipal Airport, 
Clarksville, AR; and J. Lynn Helms Sevier County Airport, De Queen, AR.

History

    On May 3, 2016, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), (81 FR 26505) Docket No. FAA-2016-4172, 
to modify Class E airspace at Arkansas International Airport, 
Blytheville, AR; Blytheville Municipal Airport, Blytheville, AR; Frank 
Federer Memorial Airport, Brinkley, AR; Clarksville Municipal Airport, 
Clarksville, AR; and J. Lynn Helms Sevier County Airport, De Queen, AR. 
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 E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005 of 
FAA Order 7400.11A, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 
2016, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 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 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 
2016. FAA Order 7400.11A is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11A lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface at the following airports:

Within 7-mile radius (reduced from an 8-mile radius) of Arkansas 
International Airport (formerly Eaker AFB), and within a 6.5-mile 
radius (reduced from a 7-mile radius) of Blytheville Municipal Airport, 
Blytheville, AR, and updates the airport's geographic coordinates;
By removing the 7.3-mile extension to the north from the 6.4-mile 
radius of Frank Federer Memorial Airport, Brinkley, AR;
Within a 7.3-mile radius (reduced from a 7.4-mile radius) of 
Clarksville Municipal Airport, Clarksville, AR, and updates the 
airport's geographic coordinates; and
Within a 6.5-mile radius (increased from a 6.4-mile radius) of J. Lynn 
Helms Sevier County Airport, De Queen, AR.

    Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of 
NDBs, cancellation of NDB approaches, or implementation of RNAV 
procedures at the above airports. Controlled airspace is necessary for 
the safety and management of the standard instrument approach 
procedures for 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:

[[Page 78908]]

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 7400.11A, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and 
effective September 15, 2016, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

ASW AR E5 Blytheville, AR [Amended]

Blytheville, Arkansas International Airport, AR
    (Lat. 35[deg]57'52'' N., long. 89[deg]56'38'' W.)
Blytheville Municipal Airport, AR
    (Lat. 35[deg]56'26'' N., long. 89[deg]49'51'' W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Arkansas International Airport and within 
a 6.5-mile radius of Blytheville Municipal Airport.

ASW AR E5 Brinkley, AR [Amended]

Brinkley, Frank Federer Memorial Airport, AR
    (Lat. 34[deg]52'49'' N., long. 91[deg]10'35'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.4-mile radius of Frank Federer Memorial Airport.
* * * * *

ASW AR E5 Clarksville, AR [Amended]

Clarksville Municipal Airport, AR
    (Lat. 35[deg]28'15'' N., long. 93[deg]25'38'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.3-mile radius of Clarksville Municipal Airport.
* * * * *

ASW AR E5 De Queen, AR [Amended]

De Queen, J. Lynn Helms Sevier County Airport, AR
    (Lat. 34[deg]02'49'' N., long. 94[deg]23'58'' W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of J. Lynn Helms Sevier County Airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 2, 2016.
Walter Tweedy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2016-27093 Filed 11-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P