Document ID: FAA-2018-0256-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace: Schenectady, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Albany, NY
Posted Date: 2018-11-26T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 227 (Monday, November 26, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60378-60380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25564]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0256; Airspace Docket No. 18-AEA-11]
RIN 2120-AA66

Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace; 
Schenectady, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Albany, NY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E 
airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area, and 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the 
surface at Schenectady County Airport, Schenectady, NY, and Albany, NY 
by updating the geographic coordinates of this airport, Saratoga County 
Airport, Hunter NDB, and Cambridge VORTAC. Controlled airspace is 
necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules 
(IFR) operations at this airport. This action also would replace the 
outdated term Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement 
in the legal descriptions of associated Class D and E airspace of 
Schenectady County Airport, Schenectady, NY, and Ithaca Tompkins 
Regional Airport, Ithaca, NY.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 10, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; Telephone: 
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify the Docket No.
    FAA-2018-0256; Airspace Docket No. 18-AEA-11, at the beginning of 
your comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed on line 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 7400.11C at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, 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, 1701 
Columbia Ave, College Park, GA 30337; 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 and Class E airspace at Schenectady County 
Airport, Schenectady, NY and Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, Ithaca, 
NY, to support IFR operations at these airports.

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on this proposed 
rulemaking 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

[[Page 60379]]

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 (Docket No. FAA-
2018-0256 and Airspace Docket No. 18-AEA-11) and be submitted in 
triplicate to DOT Docket Operations (see ADDRESSES section for the 
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 FAA 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0256; Airspace Docket No. 18-AEA-11.'' 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 document may be changed in light of the 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. 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 through the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov/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 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, GA 30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective 
September 15, 2018. FAA Order 7400.11C is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11C 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 by:
    Amending Class D airspace, Class E airspace designated as an 
extension to a Class D surface area, at Schenectady County Airport, 
Schenectady, NY and Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface at Albany, NY, by updating the 
geographic coordinates of Saratoga County Airport, Hunter NDB, and 
Cambridge VORTAC to be in concert with the FAA's aeronautical database.
    Also, an editorial change would be made replacing the outdated term 
Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the 
associated Class D and E airspace legal descriptions for Schenectady 
County Airport, Schenectady, NY, and Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, 
Ithaca, NY. These changes would enhance the safety and management of 
IFR operations at these airports.
    Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in 
Paragraphs 5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 
7400.11C, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, 
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 will 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 Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA NY D Schenectady, NY [Amended]

Schenectady County Airport, NY
    (Lat. 42[deg]51'9'' N, long. 73[deg]55'44'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,900 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Schenectady County 
Airport, excluding the portion that coincides with the Albany, NY, 
Class C airspace area. This Class D airspace area is effective 
during specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice 
to Airmen. The specific date and time will thereafter be 
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

AEA NY D Ithaca, NY [Amended]

Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, Ithaca, NY
    (Lat. 42[deg]29'29'' N, long. 76[deg]27'31'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,600 feet MSL within a 4-mile radius of Ithaca Tompkins

[[Page 60380]]

Regional Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during 
specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to 
Airmen. The specific date and time will thereafter be continuously 
published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA NY E2 Ithaca, NY [Amended]

Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, Ithaca, NY
    (Lat. 42[deg]29'29'' N, long. 76[deg]27'31'' W)
Ithaca VOR/DME
    (Lat. 42[deg]29'42'' N, long. 76[deg]27'35'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4-mile 
radius of Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport and that airspace 
extending upward from the surface from the 4-mile radius of the 
airport to the 5.7-mile radius of the airport clockwise from the 
329[deg] bearing to the 081[deg] bearing from the airport; that 
airspace from the 4-mile radius of the airport to the 8.7-mile 
radius of the airport extending clockwise from the 081[deg] bearing 
to the 137[deg] bearing from the airport; that airspace from the 4-
mile radius of the airport to the 6.6-mile radius of the airport 
extending clockwise from the 137[deg] bearing to the 170[deg] 
bearing from the airport; that airspace from the 4-mile radius to 
the 5.7-mile radius of the airport extending clockwise from the 
170[deg] bearing to the 196[deg] bearing from the airport, and that 
airspace within 2.7 miles each side of the Ithaca VOR/DME 305[deg] 
radial extending from the 4-mile radius of the airport to 7.4 miles 
northwest of the Ithaca VOR/DME. 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 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a 
Class D Surface Area.

* * * * *

AEA NY E4 Schenectady, NY [Amended]

Schenectady County Airport, NY
    (Lat. 42[deg]51'9'' N, long. 73[deg]55'44'' W)
Hunter NDB
    (Lat. 42[deg]51'15'' N, long. 73[deg]56'01'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 2.5 miles 
each side of a 032[deg] bearing from the Hunter NDB extending from 
the 4.3-mile radius of Schenectady County Airport to 7 miles 
northeast of the NDB. This Class E airspace area is effective during 
specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to 
Airmen. The specific date and time will thereafter be continuously 
published in the Chart Supplement.

AEA NY E4 Ithaca, NY [Amended]

Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, Ithaca, NY
    (Lat. 42[deg]29'29'' N, long. 76[deg]27'31'' W)
Ithaca VOR/DME
    (Lat. 42[deg]29'42'' N, long. 76[deg]27'35'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface from the 4-mile 
radius of the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport to the 5.7-mile 
radius of the airport; clockwise from the 329[deg] bearing to the 
081[deg] bearing from the airport; that airspace from the 4-mile 
radius of Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport to the 8.7-mile radius of 
the airport extending clockwise from the 081[deg] bearing to the 
137[deg] from the airport; that airspace from the 4-mile radius of 
Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport; to the 6.6-mile radius of the 
airport, extending clockwise from the 137[deg] bearing to the 
170[deg] bearing from the airport; that airspace from the 4-mile 
radius to the 5.7-mile radius of the Ithaca Tompkins Regional 
Airport, extending clockwise from the 170[deg] bearing to the 
196[deg] bearing from the airport; and that airspace within 2.7 
miles each side of the Ithaca VOR/DME 305[deg] radial extending from 
the 4-mile radius of Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport to 7.4 miles 
northwest of the Ithaca VOR/DME.

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

* * * * *

AEA NY E5 Albany, NY [Amended]

Albany VORTAC
    (Lat. 42[deg]44'50'' N, long. 73[deg]48'11'' W)
Hunter NDB
    (Lat. 42[deg]51'15'' N, long. 73[deg]56'01'' W)
Schenectady County Airport, NY
    (Lat. 42[deg]51'9'' N, long. 73[deg]55'44'' W)
Saratoga County Airport, NY
    (Lat. 43[deg]03'03'' N, long. 73[deg]51'42'' W)
Cambridge VORTAC
    (Lat. 42[deg]59'39'' N, long. 73[deg]20'38'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within the area bounded by a point on the Albany VORTAC 007[deg] 
radial 20 miles north of the VORTAC, thence clockwise along the arc 
of a 20-mile radius circle centered on the Albany VORTAC to its 
point of intersection with the Albany VORTAC 037[deg] radial, thence 
southwest along the Albany VORTAC 037[deg] radial to a point 10.5 
miles northeast of the VORTAC, thence clockwise along the arc of a 
10.5-mile radius circle centered on the Albany VORTAC, to its point 
of intersection with a line 3.5 miles southeast of the Hunter NDB 
207[deg] bearing and within 3.5 miles each side of the 206[deg] 
bearing from the Hunter NDB extending from the Hunter NDB to 15.3 
miles southwest of the NDB and thence clockwise along the arc of the 
7.9-mile radius circle centered on the Hunter NDB to its point of 
intersection with a line 1.8 miles south and parallel to the 
extended centerline of the Schenectady County Airport Runway 28, 
thence west along this parallel line to its point of intersection 
with the arc of a 11.3-mile radius circle centered on the Hunter 
NDB, thence clockwise along the arc of this 11.3-mile radius circle 
to its point of intersection with the 342[deg] bearing from the 
Hunter NDB, thence north along a line bearing 356[deg] from this 
point to the point of intersection of this line and the arc of a 
16.6-mile radius circle centered on the Hunter NDB and thence 
clockwise along the arc of the 16.6-mile radius circle centered on 
the NDB to its point of intersection with the arc of a 20-mile 
radius circle centered on the Albany VORTAC and within 4.4 miles 
each side of the Albany VORTAC 082[deg] radial extending from the 
Albany VORTAC to 16.1 miles east of the VORTAC and within a 6.4-mile 
radius of Saratoga County Airport and within 3.5 miles each side of 
the Cambridge VORTAC 279[deg] radial extending from 37.5 miles west 
of the Cambridge VORTAC to the 6.4-mile radius area.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on November 14, 2018.
Matthew Cathcart,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2018-25564 Filed 11-23-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P