Proposed Amendment of the Class D and Class E Airspace; Meridian, MS, 47909-47911 [2019-19543]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47909-47911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19543]



[[Page 47909]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0598; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-16]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of the Class D and Class E Airspace; Meridian, 
MS

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class D airspace at Joe 
Williams NOLF, Meridian, MS; Key Field, Meridian, MS; and NAS Meridian/
McCain Field, Meridian, MS; the Class E airspace area designated as an 
extension to Class D airspace at Key Field; and the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Key Field, Joe 
Williams NOLF, and NAS Meridian/McCain Field. The FAA is proposing this 
action as the result of the decommissioning of the Kewanee VHF 
omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid, which provided navigation 
information for the instrument procedures at these airports, as part of 
the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The names and 
geographic coordinates of NAS Meridian/McCain Field and Joe Williams 
NOLF, and the geographic coordinates of Key Field would also be updated 
to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. Airspace redesign is 
necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules 
(IFR) operations at these airports.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 28, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; telephone 
(202) 366-9826, or (800) 647-5527. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0598; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-16, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. You may review the public docket containing the 
proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in 
the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except federal holidays.
    FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://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. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11C at NARA, email [email protected] 
or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.

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 the Class D airspace at Joe Williams NOLF, Meridian, 
MS; Key Field, Meridian, MS; and NAS Meridian/McCain Field, Meridian, 
MS; the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to Class D 
airspace at Key Field; and the Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface at Key Field, Joe Williams NOLF, and NAS 
Meridian/McCain Field to support IFR operations at these airports.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in 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 and be submitted in 
triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to 
acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with 
those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the 
following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. FAA-2019-0598/
Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-16.'' The postcard will be date/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 notice may be changed in light of the 
comments received. 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 https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://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 the address and phone number) 
between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic 
Organization, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective 
September 15, 2018. FAA Order 7400.11C is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11C lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

[[Page 47910]]

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by:
    Amending the Class D airspace at Joe Williams NOLF, Meridian, MS, 
by updating the geographic coordinates of Joe Williams NOLF to coincide 
with the FAA's aeronautical database, and would replace the outdated 
term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amending the Class D airspace to within a 4.5-mile radius (reduced 
from a 5.3-mile radius) of Key Field, Meridian, MS; updating the city 
in the airspace legal description to Meridian, MS, (previously Meridian 
Key Field, MS) to comply with changes to FAA Order 7400.2M, Procedures 
for Handling Airspace Matters; removing the city listed with the 
airport in the airspace legal description to comply with changes to FAA 
Order 7400.2M; updating the geographic coordinates of Key Field to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and would replace the 
outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amending the Class D airspace to within a 5.3-mile radius 
(previously a 5.8-mile radius) of NAS Meridian/McCain Field, Meridian, 
MS; updating the city in the airspace legal description to Meridian, 
MS, (previously Meridian NAS-McCain Field, MS) to comply with changes 
to FAA Order 7400.2M; removing the city listed with the airport in the 
airspace legal description to comply with changes to FAA Order 7400.2M; 
updating the name and geographic coordinates of NAS Meridian/McCain 
Field (previously NAS-McCain Field) to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; adding an extension 1 mile each side of the 
009[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 5.3-mile radius to 
5.5 miles north of the airport; adding an extension 1.5 miles each side 
of the 189[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 5.3-mile 
radius to 6 miles from the airport; adding an extension 1.6 miles each 
side of the Meridian TACAN 331[deg] radial extending from the 5.3-mile 
radius to 5.6 miles northwest of the Meridian TACAN; and would replace 
the outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart 
Supplement'';
    Amending the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a 
Class D airspace at Key Field by updating the city in the airspace 
legal description to Meridian, MS, (previously Meridian/Key Field, MS) 
to comply with changes to FAA Order 7400.2M; removing the city listed 
with the airport in the airspace legal description to comply with 
changes to FAA Order 7400.2M; updating the geographic coordinates of 
Key Field and the Meridian VORTAC to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; adding an extension 1 mile each side of the 
009[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 
4.9-miles north of the airport; adding an extension 1 mile each side of 
the 044[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.5-mile 
radius to 4.6 miles northeast of the airport; adding an extension 2.9 
miles each side of the Meridian VORTAC 141[deg] radial extending from 
the 4.5-mile radius to 11 miles southeast of the Meridian VORTAC; 
adding an extension 1 mile each side of the 189[deg] bearing from the 
airport extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 4.6 miles south of the 
airport; adding an extension 1 mile each side of the 224[deg] bearing 
from the airport extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 4.6 miles 
southwest of the airport; removing the extension northwest of the 
VORTAC; and would replace the outdated term ``Airport/Facility 
Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    And amending the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface to within a 7-mile radius (reduced from an 8-mile 
radius) of Key Field; adding an extension 1 mile each side of the 
009[deg] bearing from Key Field extending from the 7-mile radius to 
12.5 miles north of the airport; adding an extension 3.4 miles each 
side of the 009[deg] bearing from the Key Field: RWY 19-LOC extending 
from the 7-mile radius of the airport to 11.1 miles north of the Key 
Field: RWY 19-LOC; adding an extension within 2 miles each side of the 
044[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 7-mile radius of 
the airport to 11.6 miles northeast of the airport; adding an extension 
within 3.6 miles each side of the Meridian VORTAC 141[deg] radial 
extending from the 7-mile radius of the airport to 13.9 miles southeast 
of the Meridian VORTAC; adding an extension within 1 mile each side of 
the 189[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 7-mile radius 
of the airport to 12.6 miles south of the airport; adding an extension 
within 3.4 miles each side of the 189[deg] bearing from the Key Field: 
RWY 01-LOC extending from the 7-mile radius of the airport to 11.2 
miles south of the Key Field: RWY 01-LOC; amending the extension 
northwest of the Meridian VORTAC to within 1.5 miles (reduced from 2.5 
miles) each side of the Meridian VORTAC 311[deg] (previously 315[deg]) 
radial extending from the 7-mile radius of the airport to 14.3 miles 
(increased from 7 miles) northwest of the Meridian VORTAC; within a 6.7 
mile radius (decreased from a 7.4-mile radius) of Joe Williams NOLF, 
Meridian, MS; within a 7.8-mile radius (decreased from an 8-mile 
radius) of NAS Meridian/McCain Field; removing the extension ``. . . 
within 4 miles each side of the 020[deg] bearing from lat. 
32[deg]33'28'' N, long, 88[deg]33'33'' W, extending from the 8-mile 
radius to 20 miles north of Meridian TACAN, and within a 25-mile radius 
of the Meridian VORTAC, extending clockwise from the 341[deg] radial to 
the 040[deg] radial, and within 8 miles north and 6 miles south of the 
Kewanee VORTAC 273[deg] radial, extending from the VORTAC to long. 
88[deg]45'00'' W''; adding an extension 6.7 miles either side of a line 
from Joe William NOLF to NAS Meridian/McCain Field; updating the names 
of Joe William NOLF (previously Joe Williams OLF), and NAS Meridian/
McCain Field (previously NAS-McCain Field) and the geographic 
coordinates of Key Field, Joe Williams NOLF and NAS Meridian/McCain 
Field to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and removing 
the Meridian TACAN and Kewanee VORTAC from the airspace legal 
description.
    This action is the result of an airspace review caused by the 
decommissioning of the Kewanee VOR, which provided navigation 
information for the instrument procedures at these airports, as part of 
the VOR MON Program.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 
5000, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11C, dated August 
13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and E airspace designations 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

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, is 
non-controversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
comments. 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 rule, when promulgated, would not have a 
significant economic impact on a

[[Page 47911]]

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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, 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 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 
7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 
2018, and effective September 15, 2018, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO MS D Meridian, MS [Amended]

    Joe Williams NOLF, MS (Lat. 32[deg]47'56'' N, long. 
88[deg]50'04'' W)
    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,000 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Joe Williams NOLF. This 
Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and 
times established by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time 
will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

ASO MS D Meridian, MS [Amended]

    Key Field, MS (Lat. 32[deg]19'57'' N, long. 88[deg]45'07'' W)
    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,800 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Key Field. 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 continuously published in the Char 
Supplement.

ASO MS D Meridian, MS [Amended]

    NAS Meridian/McCain Field, MS (Lat. 32[deg]33'13'' N, long. 
88[deg]33'19'' W)
    Meridian TACAN (Lat. 32[deg]34'42'' N, long. 88[deg]32'43'' W)
    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,800 feet MSL within a
    5.3-mile radius of NAS Meridian/McCain Field, and within 1 mile 
each side of the 009[deg] bearing from the airport extending from 
the 5.3 mile radius to 5.5 miles north of the airport; and within 
1.5 miles each side of the 189[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 5.3-mile radius to 6 miles south of the airport; 
and within 1.6 miles each side of the Meridian TACAN 331[deg] radial 
extending from the 5.3-mile radius to 5.6 miles northwest the 
Meridian TACAN. 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 continuously 
published in the Chart Supplement.

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

* * * * *

ASO MS E4 Meridian, MS [Amended]

    Key Field, MS (Lat. 32[deg]19'57'' N, long. 88[deg]45'07'' W)
    Meridian VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]22'42'' N, long. 88[deg]48'15'' W)
    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1 mile 
each side of the 009[deg] bearing from Key Field extending from the 
4.5-mile radius of Key Field to 4.9 miles north of Key Field, and 
within 1 mile each side of the 044[deg] bearing from Key Field 
extending from the 4.5-mile radius of Key Field to 4.6 miles 
northeast of Key Field, and within 2.9 miles each side of the 
Meridian VORTAC 141[deg] radial extending from the 4.5-mile radius 
of Key Field to 11 miles southeast of the Meridian VORTAC, and 
within 1 mile each side of the 189[deg] bearing from Key Field 
extending from the 4.5-mile radius of Key Field to 4.6 miles south 
of Key Field, and within 1 mile each side of the 224[deg] bearing 
from Key Field extending from the 4.5-mile radius of Key Field to 
4.6 miles southwest of Key Field. This Class E 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 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 MS E5 Meridian, MS [Amended]

    Key Field, MS (Lat. 32[deg]19'57'' N, long. 88[deg]45'07'' W)
    Key Field: RWY 19-LOC (Lat. 32[deg]18'54'' N, long. 
88[deg]45'25'' W)
    Meridian VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]22'42'' N, long. 88[deg]48'15'' W)
    Key Field: RWY 01-LOC (Lat. 32[deg]20'52'' N, long. 
88[deg]45'02'' W)
    Joe Williams NOLF, MS (Lat. 32[deg]47'56'' N, long. 
88[deg]50'04'' W)
    NAS Meridian/McCain Field, MS (Lat. 32[deg]33'13'' N, long. 
88[deg]33'19'' W)
    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Key Field, and within 1 mile each side of 
the 009[deg] bearing from Key Field extending from the 7-mile radius 
of Key Field to 12.5 miles north of Key Field; and within 3.4 miles 
each side of the 009[deg] bearing from the Key Field: RWY 19-LOC 
extending from the 7-mile radius of Key Field to 11.1 miles north of 
the Key Field: RWY 19-LOC, and within 2 miles each side of the 
044[deg] bearing from Key Field extending from the 7-mile radius of 
Key Field to 11.6 miles northeast of Key Field, and within 3.6 miles 
each side of the Meridian VORTAC 141[deg] radial extending from the 
4.5-mile radius of Key Field to 13.9 miles southeast of the Meridian 
VORTAC, and within 1 mile each side of the 189[deg] bearing from Key 
Field extending from the 7-mile radius of Key Field to 12.6 miles 
south of Key Field, and within 3.4 miles each side of the 189[deg] 
bearing from the Key Field: RWY 01-LOC extending from the 7-mile 
radius of Key Field to 11.2 miles south of the Key Field: RWY 01-
LOC, and within 1.5 miles each side of the Meridian VORTAC 311[deg] 
radial extending from the 7-mile radius of Key Field to 14.3 miles 
northwest of the Meridian VORTAC, and within a 6.7-mile radius of 
Joe Williams NOLF, and within a 7.8-mile radius of NAS Meridian/
McCain Field, and within 6.7 miles each side of a line from Joe 
Williams NOLF to NAS Meridian/McCain Field.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 4, 2019.
Steve Szukala,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2019-19543 Filed 9-10-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P