Rules and Regulations. Final rule

Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT
Action: Final rule
Citation: FR Doc. 2021-19053 · RIN 2120-AA66 · Docket No. FAA-2021-0424; Airspace Docket No. 21-ACE-13 · 14 CFR 71

Summary

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Malden Regional Airport, (formerly Malden Municipal Airport), Malden, MO. The FAA is taking this action as a result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Malden Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range (VOR) co-located with Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) which equates to a (VORTAC) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) 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.

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 the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Malden, MO, to support IFR operations in the area. History The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (86 FR 33920, June 28, 2021) for Docket No. FAA-2021-0424 to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Malden Regional Airport, Malden, MO, due to the decommissioning of the Malden VORTAC. 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 7400.11E, 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 the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Malden Regional Airport, Malden, MO, as the Malden VORTAC has been decommissioned and all associated airspace extensions of Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, off the Malden VORTAC have been eliminated. The Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is amended by increasing the radius to 7.3 miles (previously 6.7 miles). Also the airport's name (formerly Malden Municipal Airport) and geographic coordinates are updated to coincide with the FAA's data base. 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 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. § 71.1 [Amended] 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 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth. ACE MO E5 Malden, MO [Amended] Malden Regional Airport, MO (Lat. 36°35′54″ N, long. 89°59′33″ W) That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.3-mile radius of the Malden Regional Airport. Issued in College Park, Georgia, on August 31, 2021. Andreese C. Davis, Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization. [FR Doc. 2021-19053 Filed 9-3-21; 8:45 am]