Amendment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TX, and Establishment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TSTC-Waco Airport, TX, 48290 [2013-18713]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18713]



[[Page 48290]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0136; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-4]


Amendment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TX, and Establishment of 
Class D Airspace; Waco, TSTC-Waco Airport, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace at Waco, TX, by separating 
the Class D airspace at Waco Regional Airport from the Class D airspace 
at TSTC-Waco Airport. The FAA is taking this action to alleviate 
multiple air traffic controllers handling the same airspace and for the 
safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the 
airport. The geographic coordinates for Waco Regional Airport are also 
adjusted.

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, October 17, 2013. 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 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Enander, Central Service Center, 
Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone 817-321-
7716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On June 3, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class D airspace for Waco, TX 
(78 FR 33015) Docket No. FAA-2013-0136. 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 7400.9W dated 
August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 2012, which is incorporated 
by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D airspace designations listed 
in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
Part 71 by amending Class D airspace at Waco, TX, by separating the 
Class D airspace area for Waco Regional Airport from the Class D 
airspace area for TSTC-Waco Airport, to enhance the safety and 
management of IFR operations at both airports. TSTC-Waco Airport is 
removed from its current designation and established under its own 
designator; Waco, TSTC-Waco Airport, TX, to accommodate this separation 
of controlled airspace surrounding Waco Regional Airport. This enhances 
safety by not having multiple air traffic controllers responsible for 
the same airspace. Geographic coordinates for Waco Regional Airport are 
updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.
    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. 
Therefore, this regulation: (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.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. Subtitle 1, 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 controlled airspace in the Waco, TX, area.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. 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(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 the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9W, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 
2012, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.

* * * * *

ASW TX D Waco, TX [Amended]

Waco, Waco Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 31[deg]36'44'' N., long. 97[deg]13'49'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,000 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Waco Regional Airport. 
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 published in the Airport/
Facility Directory.

ASW TX D Waco, TSTC-Waco Airport, TX [New]

Waco, TSTC-Waco Airport, TX
    (Lat. 31[deg]38'16'' N., long. 97[deg]04'27'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,000 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of TSTC-Waco Airport, 
excluding that airspace within the Waco Regional 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 
Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be published in 
the Airport/Facility Directory

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 25, 2013.
David P. Medina,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-18713 Filed 8-7-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P