[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 29, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18392-18393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06324]



[[Page 18392]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1614; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-28]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and E Airspace; Macon, GA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, 
and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
at Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Macon, GA, as a result of the 
biennial airspace evaluation. This action extends the Class D airspace 
and Class E surface airspace for the airport and reduces Class E 
airspace upward from 700 feet above the surface surrounding Middle 
Georgia Regional and Macon Downtown Airports. The extension of Class D 
and Class E surface airspace at Middle Georgia Regional Airport will 
not impact the Class D or Class E surface airspace boundaries of Robins 
AFB.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, June 15, 2023. 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: A copy of the NPRM, all comments received, this final rule, 
and all background material may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov 
using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines 
are available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 
days each year.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and 
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, 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 
the 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 as it amends airspace for Middle Georgia Regional 
Airport, Macon, GA, to support IFR operations in the area.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA 2022-1614 in the Federal Register (87 FR 78885; December 23, 2022), 
amending Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, and Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Middle 
Georgia Regional Airport, Macon, GA.

Differences From the NPRM

    Subsequent to the publication of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 
the FAA found the Macon Class D and Class E2 language incorrectly 
described the southwest point of intersection between the Middle 
Georgia Regional 4.9-mile radius, the Robins AFB 5.5-mile radius, and 
the Middle Georgia Regional 210 degree bearing. These three points do 
not converge together and are in excess of 300 feet. There was a 
similar discrepancy found for the northeast point of intersection. The 
three references do not converge together on the 65-degree bearing, 
where it intersects the Robins AFB 5.5-mile radius and the Middle 
Georgia 4.9-mile radius. This action updates the Macon Class D and 
Class E2 descriptions with the appropriate language.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 
5000, 6002, and 6005 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on 
an annual basis. This document amends the current version of that 
order, FAA Order JO 7400.11G, 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. These amendments will 
be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending Class D airspace for 
Middle Georgia Regional Airport by extending the airspace from a 4.1-
mile radius to a 4.9-mile radius surrounding the airport. Class E 
surface airspace for Middle Georgia Regional Airport is amended by 
extending the airspace from a 4.1-mile radius to a 4.9-mile radius 
surrounding the airport. The Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface is amended to within a 7.4-mile radius of Middle 
Georgia Regional Airport (reduced from a 7.8-mile radius). The Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is amended to 
within a 7.5-mile radius of Macon Downtown Airport (reduced from an 
8.8-mile radius).
    In addition, this action replaces the outdated terms Airport/
Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement and Notice to Airmen 
with the term Notice to Air Missions in the airspace descriptions.

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 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.

[[Page 18393]]

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

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

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO GA D Macon, GA [Amended]

Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Macon, GA
    (Lat 32[deg]41'34'' N, long 83[deg]38'57'' W)
Robins AFB
    (Lat 32[deg]38'25'' N, long 83[deg]35'31'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,900 feet MSL within a 4.9-mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional 
Airport, excluding the portion within the 5.5-mile radius of Robins 
AFB Airport that lies south of a line connecting the two points of 
intersection of the 5.5-mile radius circle centered on the Robins 
AFB Airport and the 4.1-mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional 
Airport. 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.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO GA E2 Macon, GA [Amended]

Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Macon, GA
    (Lat 32[deg]41'34'' N, long 83[deg]38'57'' W)
Robins AFB
    (Lat 32[deg]38'25'' N, long 83[deg]35'31''W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.9-
mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional Airport, excluding the 
portion within the 5.5-mile radius of Robins AFB Airport that lies 
south of a line connecting the two points of intersection of the 
5.5-mile radius circle centered on the Robins AFB Airport and the 
4.1-mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional Airport. 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.

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

* * * * *

ASO GA E5 Macon, GA [Amended]

Middle Georgia Regional Airport, GA
    (Lat 32[deg]41'34'' N, long 83[deg]38'57'' W)
Macon Downtown Airport
    (Lat 32[deg]49'18'' N, long 83[deg]33'43'' W)
Robins AFB
    (Lat 32[deg]38'25'' N, long 83[deg]35'31'' W)
Perry-Houston County Airport
    (Lat 32[deg]30'38'' N, long 83[deg]46'02'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.4-mile radius of Middle Georgia Regional Airport, and 
within a 7.5-mile radius of Macon Downtown Airport, a 7-mile radius 
of Robins AFB, and a 9.8-mile radius of Perry-Houston County 
Airport.

    Issued in College Park, GA, on March 22, 2023.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2023-06324 Filed 3-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


