[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8388-8389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02448]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0678; Airspace Docket No. 18-AWP-27]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Concord, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the Class D airspace and establishes Class 
E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the 
earth at Buchanan Field, Concord, CA. This action also removes the 
Concord VOR/DME and the city listed before the airport name in the 
legal description header information.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, May 21, 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 https://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: Matthew Van Der Wal, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S. 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3695.

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 establish Class E airspace at Buchanan 
Field, Concord, CA, to ensure the safety and management of Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (84 FR 56390; October 22, 2019) for Docket No. FAA-2019-0678 
to amend Class D and Class E airspace at Buchanan Field, Concord, CA. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. Seven 
comments were received.
    Three comments contained only the Docket number, the airspace 
docket number and the FAA's RIN number with no additional text or 
comment.
    Two comments questioned why the airspace is being established, 
since the San Francisco Sectional already appears to contain the 
proposed airspace within an existing Class E airspace area extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface. This new airspace area is being 
established for Buchanan Field to ensure the airport has independent 
Class E airspace to contain arriving IFR aircraft when descending below 
1,500 feet above the surface. Additionally, one commenter stated that 
they could not find the proposed Class E area in FAA Order 7400.11D. 
This action establishes the Class E airspace for the airport and the 
airspace will be published in the next iteration of FAA Order 7400.11 
which will be effective September 15, 2020.
    One comment asked how this change would affect local pilot's 
knowledge of the local area. This change will be charted on subsequent 
editions of the San Francisco Sectional. This respondent also asked 
about ADSB equipage and access to airports in the area, below the SFO 
Class B veil. This airspace action does not impact the equipment 
requirements for aircraft operations within a Class B veil.
    One comment discussed IFR operations and airspace but did not 
provide a specific concern or support for the proposal.
    Class D and Class E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000 and 6005, respectively,

[[Page 8389]]

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 
E airspace designation 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 amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 modifies Class D airspace at Buchanan Field extending upward 
from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL within a 2.6-mile 
radius of the airport from the 205[deg] bearing from the airport 
clockwise to the 314[deg] bearing, thence extending to a 4.1-mile 
radius of airport from the 314[deg] bearing from the airport clockwise 
to the 205[deg] bearing of Buchanan Field. This Class D 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.
    Additionally, this action establishes Class E5 airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 4.1-mile radius of 
Buchanan Field and within 2.5 miles each side of the 009[deg] bearing 
from the airport extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 11 miles north 
of the airport, and within 2.5 miles each side of the 023[deg] bearing 
from the airport extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 11 miles 
northeast of Buchanan Field.
    Further, this action removes the Concord VOR/DME and the associated 
extensions from the legal description to simplify how the airspace is 
described.
    Lastly, this action removes the city listed before the airport name 
in the legal description header information to comply with airspace 
policy guidance.
    Class D and Class E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000, and 6005, respectively, 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 Class E airspace 
designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order. 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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule, when promulgated, would 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.

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, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR 
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

0
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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 Airspace.

* * * * *

AWP CA D Concord, CA

Buchanan Field, CA
    (Lat. 37[deg]59'23'' N, long. 122[deg]03'25'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 2.6-mile radius of the airport from the 
205[deg] bearing from the airport clockwise to the 314[deg] bearing, 
thence extending to a 4.1-mile radius of the airport from the 
314[deg] bearing clockwise to the 205[deg] bearing from Buchanan 
Field. This Class D 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 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

AWP CA E5 Concord, CA

Buchanan Field, CA
    (Lat. 37[deg]59'23'' N, long. 122[deg]03'25'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 4.1-mile radius of Buchanan Field and within 2.5 miles each 
side of the 009[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 
4.1-mile radius to 11 miles north of the airport and within 2.5 
miles each side of the 023[deg] bearing from the airport extending 
from the 4.1-mile radius to 11 miles northeast of Buchanan Field.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on February 3, 2020.
Byron Chew,
Group Manager, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-02448 Filed 2-13-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


