[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 246 (Friday, December 23, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78883-78885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27930]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1613; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-27]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, Key West, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 78884]]


ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E 
airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area, and 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at 
Key West International Airport and Key West Naval Air Station (NAS), FL 
as a result of biennial airspace evaluations. This action would extend 
the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
for both airports by 0.1 nautical miles to ensure the safe transition 
to/from the terminal environment, as well as update the geographic 
coordinates for the airports and the Key West VORTAC. Controlled 
airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument 
flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 6, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; 
Telephone: (800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826.
    You must identify Docket No. FAA-2022-1613; Airspace Docket No. 22-
ASO-27 at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments 
through the internet at www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G 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:  Jennifer Ledford, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-5946.

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 airspace for Key West International Airport and Key 
West NAS, Key West, FL, to support IFR operations in the area.

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on 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 (Docket No. FAA-
2022-1613 and Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-27) and be submitted in 
triplicate to DOT Docket Operations (see ADDRESSES section for the 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov.
    Persons wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on 
this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped 
postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to FAA 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1613; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-27.'' The postcard 
will be dated/time-stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received before the specified closing date for 
comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. 
The proposal contained in this document may be changed in light of the 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at 
www.faa.gov/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 the ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined between 8:00 a.m. and 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays at the 
office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Room 350, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective 
September 15, 2022. FAA Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as 
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11G 
lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service 
routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

    The FAA proposes an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Key West 
International Airport and Key West NAS by extending the airspace for 
each airport from within a 6.4-mile radius to a 6.5-mile radius, and by 
updating the airports' geographic coordinates to coincide with the 
FAA's database.
    In addition, this action would replace the outdated terms Airport/
Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement and Notice to Airmen 
with the term Notice to Air Missions, in the Class D and Class E 
airspace descriptions.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 
5000, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated 
August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022, 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 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 proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical

[[Page 78885]]

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 proposed 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.

Environmental Review

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

Lists 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:

    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 Federal Aviation 
Administration Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO FL D Key West, FL [Amended]

Key West International Airport, FL
    (Lat. 24[deg]33'22'' N, long. 81[deg]45'39'' W)
Key West NAS
    (Lat. 24[deg]34'29'', long. 81[deg]41'12'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL beginning at Lat. 24[deg]37'12'' N, long. 
81[deg]44'41'' W; to Lat. 24[deg]33'04'' N, long. 81[deg]43'48'' W; 
to Lat. 24[deg]31'15'' N, long. 81[deg]45'22'' W; to Lat. 
24[deg]30'35'' N, long. 81[deg]45'14'' W; thence clockwise via the 
3.9-mile radius of Key West International Airport to the 
intersection of the 5.3-mile radius of Key West NAS, thence 
clockwise via the 5.3-mile radius of Key West NAS to the point of 
beginning. This Class D airspace area is effective during the 
specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air 
Missions. The effective date and time will thereafter be 
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

ASO FL D Key West NAS, FL [Amended]

Key West NAS, FL
    (Lat. 24[deg]34'29'' N, long. 81[deg]41'12'' W)
Key West International Airport
    (Lat. 24[deg]33'22'' N, long. 81[deg]45'39'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 5.3-mile radius of Key West NAS, excluding 
that airspace within the Key West International Airport Class D 
airspace area. This Class D airspace area is effective during the 
specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air 
Missions. The effective date and time will be continuously published 
in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to Class 
D Surface Area.

* * * * *

ASO FL E4 Key West, FL [Amended]

Key West International Airport, FL
    (Lat. 24[deg]33'22'' N, long. 81[deg]45'39'' W)
Key West NAS
    (Lat. 24[deg]34'29'' N, long. 81[deg]41'12'' W)
Key West VORTAC
    (Lat. 24[deg]35'09'' N, long. 81[deg]48'02'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3.1 miles 
on each side of the Key West VORTAC 309[deg] radial extending from 
the 3.9-mile radius of the Key West International Airport and the 
5.3-mile radius of Key West NAS to 7 miles northwest of the Key West 
VORTAC. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific 
dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air Missions. 
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.

* * * * *

ASO FL E5 Key West, FL [Amended]

Key West International Airport, FL
    (Lat. 24[deg]33'22'' N, long. 81[deg]45'39'' W)
Key West VORTAC
    (Lat. 24[deg]35'09'' N, long. 81[deg]48'02'' W)
Key West NAS
    (Lat. 24[deg]34'29'' N, long. 81[deg]41'12'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of Key West International Airport and 
within 3.1 miles on each side of the Key West VORTAC 309[deg] 
radial, extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 7 miles northwest of 
the Key West VORTAC; within a 6.8-mile radius of Key West NAS (Boca 
Chica).

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on December 15, 2022.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization
[FR Doc. 2022-27930 Filed 12-22-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


