
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 165 (Monday, August 26, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52716-52717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20716]



[[Page 52716]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0658; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-17]


Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Del Rio, TX

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 at Del Rio, TX. 
Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new circling 
approach requirements at Laughlin Air Force Base (AFB). The FAA is 
taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) operations for instrument approach procedures at the 
airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 10, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001. You 
must identify the docket number FAA-2013-0658/Airspace Docket No. 13-
ASW-17, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Enander, Central Service Center, 
Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone: 817-321-
7716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in 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 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 and be submitted in 
triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to 
acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with 
those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the 
following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. FAA-2013-0658/
Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-17.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

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://wwwfaa.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 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 during normal 
business hours at the office of the Central Service Center, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRMs 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.

The Proposal

    This action proposes to amend Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
(14 CFR), part 71 by amending Class E airspace designated as an 
extension to a Class C surface area at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX. An 
additional segment to the north is needed to contain approach category 
E military aircraft conducting circling approaches to the airport, to 
retain the safety and management of IFR aircraft in Class E airspace 
to/from the en route environment. Geographic coordinates would also be 
updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.
    Class E airspace areas are published in Paragraph 6003 of FAA Order 
7400.9W, dated August 8, 2012 and effective September 15, 2012, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace 
designation listed in this document would be published subsequently in 
the Order.
    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 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.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. Subtitle 1, 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 controlled airspace at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List 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:


[[Page 52717]]


     Authority: 49 U.S.C. 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 7400.9W, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2012, and 
effective September 15, 2012, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6003 Class E airspace areas designated as an extension.

* * * * *

ASW TX E3 Del Rio, TX [Amended]

Del Rio, Laughlin AFB, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]21'34'' N., long. 100[deg]46'40'' W.)
Laughlin VORTAC
    (Lat. 29[deg]21'39'' N., long. 100[deg]46'18'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 2 miles 
each side of the 003[deg] radial of the Laughlin VORTAC extending 
from the 5-mile radius of Laughlin AFB to 10 miles north of the 
airport, and from the 060[deg] radial of the Laughlin VORTAC 
clockwise to the 195[deg] radial, extending from the 5-mile radius 
of Laughlin AFB to the 5.5-mile radius, and 2.6 miles each side of 
the 145[deg] radial of the Laughlin VORTAC extending from the 5.5-
mile radius of Laughlin AFB to 6.6 miles southeast of the airport, 
and 2.6 miles each side of the 305[deg] radial of the Laughlin 
VORTAC extending from the 5-mile radius of Laughlin AFB to 6.6 miles 
northwest of Laughlin AFB, and from the 333[deg] radial of the 
Laughlin VORTAC clockwise to the 342[deg] radial, extending from the 
5-mile radius of Laughlin AFB to the 5.5-mile radius. 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 Fort Worth, TX, on August 16, 2013.
David P. Medina,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-20716 Filed 8-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


