Amendment of Class B Airspace; Washington Tri-Area, DC, 57757-57758 [2014-22854]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57757-57758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22854]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0713; Airspace Docket No. 14-AWA-1]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class B Airspace; Washington Tri-Area, DC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; technical amendment.

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

SUMMARY: This action amends the description of Area D of the Washington 
Tri-Area Class B airspace area to include exclusion of restricted area 
R-4001C from the Class B airspace when the restricted area is active. 
The remainder of the Class B description is not affected by this 
change.

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC September 26, 2014. 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.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Y, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://
www.faa.gov/airtraffic/publications/. The Order is also 
available for inspection at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030 or go to https://archives.gov/
federalregister/codeoffederal-regulations/
ibrlocations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15. For further 
information, you can contact the Airspace Policy and Regulations Group, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20591; telephone: 202-267-8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace Policy and 
Regulations Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On May 23, 2014, the FAA published a final rule establishing 
restricted area R-4001C at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (79 FR 29661). 
R-4001C was formed by further subdividing small sections of existing 
restricted areas R-4001A and R-4001B that currently extend into Area D 
of the Washington, DC, Tri-Area Class B airspace area. The description 
of Area D excludes the airspace in restricted areas R-4001A and B from 
the Class B airspace. This change simply updates that description to 
add R-4001C (which is imbedded within R-4001A and R-4001B) to the 
exclusionary language. Aeronautical charts have been updated to reflect 
this information.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 to update the description of Area D in the Washington Tri-Area 
Class B

[[Page 57758]]

airspace area. This action excludes the airspace in restricted area R-
4001C from the Class B airspace during times when the restricted area 
is activated. The remainder of the Class B airspace description is 
unchanged by this action.
    Because this is an editorial change to reflect current restricted 
area subdivisions, I find that notice and public procedure under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Also, 
because moored balloons contained in the area are airborne 24 hours per 
day (except for maintenance or weather conditions) there is a need to 
separate nonparticipating aircraft from a hazard to navigation, 
therefore, the FAA finds good cause, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d), for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days in order to 
promote the safe and efficient handling of air traffic in the area.
    Class B airspace areas are published in paragraph 3000 of FAA Order 
7400.9Y dated August 6, 2014, and effective September 15, 2014, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class B airspace area 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.
    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 Department of Transportation (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 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 makes editorial corrections to an existing Class B 
airspace description to maintain accuracy.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with 311a, FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures.'' This airspace action is an editorial change only and 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 FAA Order 7400.9Y, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2014, and 
effective September 15, 2014, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 3000 Subpart B--Class B Airspace

* * * * *

AEA DC B--Washington Tri-Area, DC [Amended]

    Boundaries.
    By removing the current Area D description and adding the 
following in its place:
    Area D. That airspace extending upward from 3,500 feet MSL to 
and including 10,000 feet MSL between the 15-mile radius and the 20-
mile radius of the Andrews VORTAC, the Washington VOR/DME, and the 
Baltimore VORTAC beginning at lat. 38[deg]40'21'' N., long. 
76[deg]28'36'' W., to lat. 39[deg]02'10'' N., long. 76[deg]16'11'' 
W., then counterclockwise along the 20-mile DME arc of the Baltimore 
VORTAC to lat. 39[deg]21'20'' N., long. 77[deg]01'08'' W., to lat. 
39[deg]16'32'' N., long. 77[deg]20'50'' W., to lat. 39[deg]08'59'' 
N., long. 77[deg]18'10'' W., then clockwise along the 15-mile DME 
arc of the Armel VORTAC to lat. 39[deg]04'27'' N., long. 
77[deg]12'04'' W., then clockwise along the 15-mile DME arc of the 
Washington VOR/DME to lat. 39[deg]06'16'' N., long. 76[deg]58'16'' 
W., then clockwise along the 15-mile DME arc of the Baltimore VORTAC 
to lat. 38[deg]55'40'' N., long. 76[deg]35'10'' W., then clockwise 
along the 15-mile DME arc of the Andrews VORTAC to lat. 
38[deg]36'36'' N., long. 77[deg]03'47'' W., then clockwise along the 
15-mile DME arc of the Washington VOR/DME to lat. 38[deg]43'12'' N., 
long. 77[deg]18'07'' W., then clockwise along the 15-mile DME arc of 
the Armel VORTAC to lat. 38[deg]42'47'' N., long. 77[deg]19'05'' W., 
to lat. 38[deg]36'42'' N., long. 77[deg]19'18'' W., then 
counterclockwise along the 20-mile DME arc of the Washington VOR/DME 
to lat. 38[deg]31'47'' N., long. 77[deg]06'10'' W., then 
counterclockwise along the 20-mile DME arc of the Andrews VORTAC to 
the point of beginning; excluding the airspace contained in 
Restricted Areas R-4001A, R-4001B and R-4001C when active.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2014.
Colby Abbott,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2014-22854 Filed 9-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P