[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 225 (Friday, November 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67315-67317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25823]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0899; Airspace Docket No. 20-ANM-16]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Class D Airspace; Gray AAF (Joint Base Lewis-
McChord), WA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D airspace at Gray AAF (Joint 
Base Lewis-McChord), Fort Lewis/Tacoma, WA. After a review of the 
airspace, the

[[Page 67316]]

FAA found it necessary to amend the existing airspace for the safety 
and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at this 
airport. This will also remove a reference to the McChord VORTAC from 
the legal description, update the airport and city name and amend the 
geographical coordinates for the airport to match the FAA's database.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, January 27, 2022. 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 JO 7400.11 
and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 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. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is also available for inspection at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on 
the availability of FAA Order JO 7400.11F at NARA, email 
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S. 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-2245.

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 will modify the Class D airspace to support IFR operations at 
Gray AAF (Joint Base Lewis-McChord), Fort Lewis/Tacoma, WA.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (85 FR 71290; November 9, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2020-0899 
to modify the Class D airspace at Gray AAF (Joint Base Lewis-McChord), 
Fort Lewis/Tacoma, WA. 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 D airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000 of 
FAA Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class 
D airspace designation listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F lists Class 
A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by modifying the lateral 
dimensions of the Class D airspace. The Class D airspace lateral 
boundary will be established within a 4-mile radius of the airport 
instead of a 4.3-mile radius. The additional airspace is no longer 
needed.
    In addition, the name and city of the airport and the geographical 
coordinates for Gray AAF (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) will be updated to 
match the FAA's National Airspace System Resource (NASR) database.
    FAA Order JO 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 the 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 JO 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ANM WA D Fort Lewis/Tacoma, WA (Amend)

Gray AAF (Joint Base Lewis-McChord), WA
    (Lat. 47[deg]04'45'' N, long. 122[deg]34'51'' W)
McChord Field (Joint Base Lewis-McChord), WA
    (Lat. 47[deg]08'17'' N, long. 122[deg]28'35'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,800 feet MSL within a 4-mile radius of Gray AAF, excluding the 
portions within the McChord Field (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) Class D 
airspace area. 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.


[[Page 67317]]


    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on November 18, 2021.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2021-25823 Filed 11-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


