[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 12, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27916-27917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09893]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0349; Airspace Docket No. 19-AGL-14]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Rockford, IL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class D airspace and Class E airspace 
areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the 
earth at Chicago/Rockford International Airport (formerly Greater 
Rockford Airport) in Rockford, IL, based on the result of an airspace 
review caused by the decommissioning of the GILMY locator outer marker 
(LOM). The GILMY LOM and Greater Rockford ILS localizer are no longer 
needed in the description of the Class D and E-5 airspace. This 
amendment also updates the airport name to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database. Airspace redesign is necessary for the safety 
and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this 
airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, July 16, 2020. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves this incorporation by reference action under Title 1 
Code of Federal Regulations part 51, subject to the annual revision of 
FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11D, 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 7400.11D at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov 
or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Shelby, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5857.

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 Class D and E5 airspace at Chicago/Rockford International 
Airport, in support of standard instrument approach procedures for IFR 
operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (84 FR 22746; May 20, 2019) for Docket No. FAA-2019-0349 to 
amend Class D and E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface at Chicago/Rockford International Airport, Rockford, IL. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One 
comment was received. The commenter said, ``Overall, this does seem 
like a solid proposed rule and one that would ensure the safety of many 
and the proper use of instruments over this proposed airspace. However, 
my only hesitation is for some of the small airplane owners who 
regularly use these airports. Will they still be able to use these 
airports as they have been if their aircrafts are not equipped with 
standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs)? If not, I think there 
should be some sort of grandfather clause for the pilots and aircraft 
owners who have been using this airspace for years. I would appreciate 
hearing the FAAs thoughts on this.''
    The small aircraft owners will still be able to use airport but 
with not all of the current conventional approach procedure (e.g. ILS, 
LOC or VOR).

[[Page 27917]]

Chicago/Rockford International Airport will have two instrument landing 
systems approaches for runways 01 and 07. Additionally, any aircraft 
should be within 100 NM of a safe-landing airport with a conventional 
approach from almost any point in CONUS.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000 
and 6005 of FAA Order 7400.11D, dated August 8, 2019, and effective 
September 15, 2019, 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.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 
2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by modifying Class D airspace extending upward from the surface 
of the earth to and including 3,200 feet MSL within a 4.6-mile radius 
of the Chicago/Rockford International Airport by removing the extension 
to the south out to the GILMY LOM. Also, modifying Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.1-mile 
radius of the Chicago/Rockford International Airport and removing the 
extension to the south associated with the Greater Rockford ILS 
localizer. This action enhances safety and the management of IFR 
operations at the airport. In addition, the airport name is adjusted to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. The Greater Rockford ILS 
localizer and the GILMY LOM are no longer needed to describe the 
airspaces and have been removed.
    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, is 
non-controversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
comments. 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 only affects air traffic procedures and 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 5-6.5.a. 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

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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D

* * * * *

AGL IL D Rockford, IL [Revised]

Chicago/Rockford International Airport, IL
    (Lat. 42[deg]11'43' N, long. 89[deg]05'50'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface of the earth to 
and including 3,200 feet MSL within a 4.6-mile radius of the 
Chicago/Rockford International Airport.
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

AGL IL E5 Rockford, IL [Amended]

Chicago/Rockford International Airport, IL
    (Lat. 42[deg]11'43'' N, long. 89[deg]05'50'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.1-mile radius of the Chicago/Rockford International 
Airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 5, 2020.
Steven T. Phillips,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2020-09893 Filed 5-11-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


