Rules and Regulations. Direct final rule, request for comments

Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT
Action: Direct final rule, request for comments
Citation: FR Doc. 01-31000 · Airspace Docket No. 01-AWP-23 · 14 CFR 71

Summary

This action revokes the Class E Surface Area airspace at Lompoc Airport in Lompoc, CA. The airport does not meet Class E Surface Area criteria due to inadequate radio communications capabilities between the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and operators on the airport surface at Lompoc, CA.

Dates

Effective Date: 0901 UTC February 21, 2002. Comment date: Comments for inclsion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before January 16, 2002.

Supplementary Information

This action revokes the Class E2 airspace designated as a Surface Area at Lompoc Airport in Lompoc, CA. Existing Class E5 airspace, extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, will continue to support instrument operations at Lompoc Airport, and will not be changed as a result of this action. The intended effect of this action is to retain only the minimum Class E airspace required to protect instrument operations at Lompoc Airport, consistent with airspace criteria contained in FAA Order 7400.2E, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters. Class E airspace areas designated as surface areas for airports are published in Paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9J dated August 31, 2001, and effective September 16, 2001, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace revocation listed in this document will be published subsequently in that Order. The Direct Final Rule Procedure The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse or negative comment and therefore is issuing it as a meet final rule. Unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment is received within the comment period, the regulation will become effective on the date specified above. After the close of the comment period, the FAA will publish a document in the Federal Register indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received and confirming the date on which the final rule will become effective. If the FAA does receive, within the comment period, an adverse or negative comment, or written notice of intent to submit such a comment, a document withdrawing the direct final rule will be published in the Federal Register, and a notice of proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment period. Comments Invited Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES . All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this action will be filed in the Rules Docket. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket No. 01-AWP-23.” The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. Agency Findings The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, this regulation only involves an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this regulation—(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 rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. List 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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS 1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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. § 71.1 [Amended] 2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 31, 2001, and effective September 16, 2001, is amended as follows: Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as a Surface Area for an airport. AWP CA E2 Lompoc, CA [Removed] Lompoc Airport, CA (Lat. 34°39′56″ N, long. 120°28′00″ W) Within a 4.3-mile radius of Lompoc Airport, excluding that airspace within Restricted Areas R-2516 and R-2517. 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. Issued in Los Angeles, California, on November 23, 2001. Leonard A. Mobley, Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Western-Pacific Region. [FR Doc. 01-31000 Filed 12-14-01; 8:45 am]