Document ID: FAA-2015-8304-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace: Charlottesville, VA
Posted Date: 2016-03-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 59 (Monday, March 28, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17118-17119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06845]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-8304; Airspace Docket No. 15-AEA-15]

Proposed Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; 
Charlottesville, VA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace Designated as 
an Extension to a Class D at Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, 
Charlottesville, VA, as the Azalea Park Non-Directional Radio Beacon 
(NDB) has been decommissioned requiring airspace reconfiguration at the 
airport. Also, the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part time status would be 
removed from this airspace. This action also would update the 
geographic coordinates of the above airport and the University of 
Virginia Medical Center Heliport in Class D and E airspace listed in 
this proposal. This action would enhance the safety and management of 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations in the area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 12, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 
Bldg Ground Floor Rm W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; Telephone: 1-
800-647-5527; Fax: 202-493-2251. You must identify the Docket Number 
FAA-2015-8304; Airspace Docket No. 15-AEA-15, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit and review received comments through the 
Internet at  http://www.regulations.gov. You may review the public 
docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any final 
disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office 
(telephone 1-800-647-5527), is on the ground floor of the building at 
the above address.
    FAA Order 7400.9Z, 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 7400.9Z 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 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:

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 would amend Class D airspace, Class E Surface Area Airspace, 
Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a Class D Surface Area, 
and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, 
at Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, Charlottesville, VA.

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 No. 
FAA-2015-8304; Airspace Docket No. 15-AEA-15) 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.
    Persons 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-2015-8304; Airspace Docket No. 15-AEA-15.'' 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 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

[[Page 17119]]

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.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and effective 
September 15, 2015. FAA Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend Class D airspace, Class E Surface 
Area Airspace, Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a Class 
D, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface at Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, Charlottesville, VA. The 
Azalea Park NDB has been decommissioned requiring airspace 
reconfiguration at the airport. This action also proposes to update the 
geographic coordinates of the airport and University of Virginia 
Medical Center Heliport, and eliminate the NOTAM information that 
reads, ``This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific 
dates and time established in advance by Notice to Airmen. The 
effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in 
the Airport/Facility Directory.'' from the regulatory text of the Class 
E airspace designated as an extension to Class D at Charlottesville-
Albemarle Airport, Charlottesville, VA.
    Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in 
Paragraphs 5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 
7400.9Z, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 2015, 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.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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, will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    This proposal would be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``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 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 7400.9Z, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, 
effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA VA D Charlottesville, VA [Amended]

Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, VA
    (Lat. 38[deg]08'23'' N., long 78[deg]27'08'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,100 MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of the Charlottesville-Albemarle 
Airport. This Class D 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 Airport/Facility Directory.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Area Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA VA E2 Charlottesville, VA [Amended]

Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, VA
    (Lat. 38[deg]08'23'' N., long 78[deg]27'08'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.2-
mile radius of the Charlottesville-Albemarle 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 Airport/
Facility Directory.

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

* * * * *

AEA VA E4 Charlottesville, VA [Amended]

Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, VA
    (Lat. 38[deg]08'23'' N., long 78[deg]27'08'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 2.2 miles 
each side of the 202[deg] bearing from Charlottesville-Albemarle 
Airport extending from the 4.2-mile radius to 6-miles southwest of 
the airport.

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

* * * * *

AEA VA E5 Charlottesville, VA [Amended]

Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, VA
    (Lat. 38[deg]08'23'' N., long 78[deg]27'08'' W.)
University of Virginia Medical Center Heliport
    (Lat. 38[deg]01'52'' N., long 78[deg]29'54'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.8-mile radius of Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, and 
within a 6-mile radius of the University of Virginia Medical Center 
Heliport.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on March 15, 2016.
Ryan W. Almasy,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2016-06845 Filed 3-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P