Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, Nashua, NH, 16537-16539 [2020-05989]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 24, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16537-16539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05989]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0921; Airspace Docket No. 19-ANE-7]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, Nashua, NH

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends 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 Boire 
Field, Nashua, NH, to accommodate airspace reconfiguration due to the 
decommissioning of CHERN non-directional beacon, and cancellation of 
the associated approaches. Controlled airspace is necessary for the 
safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at 
this airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of 
this airport, as well as Manchester VOR/DME. In addition, this action 
recognizes the name change of Pepperell Airport (formerly Sports Center 
Airport). This action also replaces the outdated term Airport/Facility 
Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the legal descriptions of 
associated Class D and E airspace of Boire Field. Also, the FAA 
inadvertently failed to address the purpose of the radius of Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface increasing 
from 7.0 miles to 7.9 miles. In addition, the Manchester VOR/DME was 
incorrectly identified as VORTAC. This action corrects these errors.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, May 21, 2020. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves this incorporation by reference action under Title 1 
Code of Federal Regulations part 51, subject to the annual revision of 
FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on line 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 7400.11D at NARA, email [email protected] 
or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Fornito, Operations Support 
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 
Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 30337; telephone (404) 305-6364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 16538]]

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 amends Class D and E airspace at Boire Field, Nashua, NH, to 
support IFR operations in the area.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (84 FR 68385, December 16, 2019) for Docket No. FAA-2019-0921 
to amend Class D and E airspace at Boire Field, Nashua, NH, by 
eliminating the northwest extension of the airport, due to the 
cancellation of the NDB approach, and by updating the geographic 
coordinates of this airport, as well as Manchester VOR/DME. In 
addition, the FAA recognizes the name change of Pepperell Airport 
(formerly Sports Center Airport), and replaces the outdated term 
Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the legal 
descriptions of associated Class D and E airspace of Boire Field.
    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 and Class E airspace designations are published in 
Paragraphs 5000, 6004, and 6005, respectively of FAA Order 7400.11D, 
dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, 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.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 
2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 amends Class D, Class E airspace designated as an extension to 
a Class D surface area, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface at Boire Field, Nashua, NH, by 
eliminating the northwest extension of the airport, due to the 
cancellation of the NDB approach. The FAA also updates the geographic 
coordinates of Boire Field and Manchester VOR/DME to coincide with the 
FAA's aeronautical database. In addition, this action recognizes the 
name change of Pepperell Airport (formerly Sports Center Airport). 
Also, an editorial change is made replacing the outdated term Airport/
Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the associated 
Class D and E airspace legal descriptions for Boire Field. Subsequent 
to publication, the FAA found the Manchester VOR/DME was incorrectly 
identified as Manchester VORTAC. This action corrects that error. In 
addition, a review of the airspace resulting from the decommissioning 
of the CHERN NDB indicated that the radius of the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface needed to be 
increased from 7.0 miles to 7.9 miles. These changes are necessary for 
continued safety and management of IFR operations at this airport.
    FAA Order 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 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 5-6.5a. 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.

Lists 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 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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ANE NH D Nashua, NH [Amended]

Boire Field, NH
    (Lat. 42[deg]46'57'' N, long. 71[deg]30'51'' W)
Pepperell Airport, MA
    (Lat. 42[deg]41'46'' N, long. 71[deg]33'00'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of Boire Field; excluding that 
airspace within a 2-mile radius of Pepperell 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 continuously published in the Chart 
Supplement.

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

* * * * *

ANE NH E4 Nashua, NH [Amended]

Boire Field, NH
    (Lat. 42[deg]46'57'' N, long. 71[deg]30'51'' W)
Manchester VOR/DME
    (Lat. 42[deg]52'07'' N, long. 71[deg]22'10'' W)


[[Page 16539]]


    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.1 miles 
on each side of the Manchester VOR/DME 231[deg] radial extending 
from the 5-mile radius to 8.4 miles northeast of Boire 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.

* * * * *

ANE NH E5 Nashua, NH [Amended]

Boire Field, NH
    (Lat. 42[deg]46'57'' N, long. 71[deg]30'51'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.9-mile radius of Boire Field

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on March 11, 2020.
Ryan Almasy,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2020-05989 Filed 3-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P