[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 161 (Monday, August 22, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51239-51241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18015]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0525; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-7]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Raleigh, NC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 
Raleigh, NC, due to the decommissioning of the Leevy non-directional 
beacon (NDB) and cancellation of associated approaches. In addition, 
Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class C surface area 
is amended by updating the airport geographic coordinates and updating 
the name of the Raleigh/Durham VORTAC. Also, Horace Williams Airport 
has been abandoned, and is no longer in need of

[[Page 51240]]

controlled airspace. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety 
and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, November 3, 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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Fornito, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-6364.

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 E airspace for Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 
Raleigh, NC, to support IFR operations in the area.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (87 FR 29238, May 13, 2022) for Docket No. FAA-2022-0525 to 
amend Class E airspace for Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 
Raleigh, NC.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One 
comment was received advising the FAA that a group is researching the 
possible reopening of the now closed Horace Williams Airport. The FAA 
will remove the Class E airspace surrounding this airport, and 
establish modified airspace when/if the airport does reopen.
    Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 6003 and 
6005, respectively, 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 E airspace designations 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 routes, and reporting 
points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by amending Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Raleigh-Durham 
International Airport, Raleigh, NC, due to the decommissioning of the 
Leevy NDB and cancellation of associated approaches. This action 
eliminates the northeast extension. Also, Class E airspace designated 
as an extension to a Class C surface area is amended by updating the 
airport's geographic coordinates and updating the name of the Raleigh/
Durham VORTAC, (formerly Raleigh VORTAC). This action also removes the 
airspace surrounding Horace Williams Airport, as the airport has 
closed.
    Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 6003 and 
6005, respectively, 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 E airspace designations listed in this document 
will be published subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    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. 
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 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 5-6.5a.
    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

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 7400.11F, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and 
effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6003 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to Class 
C Area.

* * * * *

ASO NC E3 Raleigh, NC [Amended]

Raleigh-Durham International Airport, NC
    (Lat. 35[deg]52'40'' N, long. 78[deg]47'15'' W)
Raleigh/Durham VORTAC
    (Lat. 35[deg]52'21'' N, long. 78[deg]47'00'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3 miles 
each side of the Raleigh/Durham VORTAC 036[deg], 128[deg] and 
231[deg] radials extending from a 5-mile radius of the Raleigh-
Durham International Airport

[[Page 51241]]

to 7 miles northeast, southeast and southwest of the VORTAC.

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

* * * * *

ASO NC E5 Raleigh, NC [Amended]

Raleigh-Durham International Airport, NC
    (Lat. 35[deg]52'40'' N, long. 78[deg]47'15'' W)
Duke Medical Center, Point In Space Coordinates
    (Lat. 35[deg]59'48'' N, long. 78[deg]55'49'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the 
surface within a 10-mile radius of Raleigh-Durham International 
Airport; and that airspace within a 6-mile radius of the point in 
space (lat. 35[deg]59'48'' N, long. 78[deg]55'49'' W) serving Duke 
Medical Center.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on August 15, 2022.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2022-18015 Filed 8-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


