Document ID: FAA-2021-0075-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Muscle Shoals, AL
Posted Date: 2021-08-27T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 164 (Friday, August 27, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48018-48020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18422]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0075; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-2]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of Class E Airspace; Muscle Shoals, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface in Muscle Shoals, AL, due to the decommissioning 
of the Muscle Shoals Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Radio Range 
Tactical Air Navigation Aid (VORTAC), and cancellation of the 
associated approach at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport. This action 
also updates the airport name under the Class E surface airspace and 
makes an editorial change replacing the term Airport/Facility Directory 
with the term Chart Supplement in the legal descriptions of associated 
Class E airspace. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and 
management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 2, 2021. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

[[Page 48019]]

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://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 7400.11E at NARA, email 
fr.inspection@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Fornito, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 
Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 30337; Telephone (404) 305-6364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rule 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 Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, 
Muscle Shoals, AL.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (86 FR 27329, May 20, 2021) for Docket No. FAA-2021-0075 to 
amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, Muscle Shoals, AL. Also, the FAA 
proposed to update the airport name and replace the outdated term 
Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the 
associated Class E airspace legal description for this airport.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One 
comment was received supporting the airspace change.
    Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 6002 and 
6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11E, dated July 21, 2020, and 
effective September 15, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designations 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 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 
2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic routes, and reporting 
points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by amending Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Northwest Alabama 
Regional Airport, Muscle Shoals, AL, as the Muscle Shoals VORTAC has 
been decommissioned, and associated approaches cancelled. The radius of 
the airport is decreased from 7 miles to 6.8 miles, adding a 12.5-mile 
extension to the east and an 8.1-mile extension to the south. Also, the 
FAA updates the airport name to Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, 
(formerly Muscle Shoals Regional Airport) in both the Class E surface 
airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface. In addition, the FAA is replacing the outdated term Airport/
Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the associated 
Class E airspace legal description for this airport.
    These changes are necessary for continued safety and management of 
IFR operations in the area.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

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. 
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 minimal. Since this is a routine matter that only 
affects air traffic procedures an 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 5-6.5a. 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(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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO AL E2 Muscle Shoals, AL [Amended]

Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, AL
    (Lat. 34[deg]44'43'' N, long. 87[deg]36'37'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.2-
mile radius of Northwest Alabama Regional Airport. This Class E 
airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times 
established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and 
time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart 
Supplement.

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

* * * * *

[[Page 48020]]

ASO AL E5 Muscle Shoals, AL [Amended]

Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, AL
    (Lat. 34[deg]44'43'' N, long. 87[deg]36'37'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the 
surface within a 6.8-mile radius of Northwest Alabama Regional 
Airport, and within 3.7-miles each side of the 114[deg] bearing from 
the airport, extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 12.5-miles east 
of the airport, and within 1.2-miles each side of the 181[deg] 
bearing from the airport, extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 8.1-
miles south of the airport.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on August 23, 2021.
Matthew N. Cathcart,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2021-18422 Filed 8-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P