Amendment of Class D Airspace and Amendment and Revocation of the Class E Airspace; Multiple Texas Towns, 34604-34607 [2020-11610]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 110 (Monday, June 8, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34604-34607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11610]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0808; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-12]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D Airspace and Amendment and Revocation of the 
Class E Airspace; Multiple Texas Towns

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action affects several airports in Texas by amending 
Class D airspace and Class E surface airspace; revoking Class E 
airspace designated as an extension to a Class E surface area; amending 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface; and 
removing Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface. This action is due to airspace reviews caused by the 
decommissioning of the Hobby and Temple VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) 
navigation aids as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) 
Program. The geographic coordinates and names of several airports would 
also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, September 10, 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 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 7400.11D at NARA, email [email protected] 
or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

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 amends the Class D airspace at Conroe-North Houston Regional 
Airport, Conroe, TX; Scholes International Airport at Galveston, 
Galveston, TX; and Sugar Land Regional Airport, Houston, TX; amends the 
Class E surface airspace at Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, 
Scholes International Airport at Galveston, and Sugar Land Regional 
Airport; revokes the Class E airspace designated as an extension to a 
Class E surface area at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, 
Temple, TX; amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at Chambers County Airport, Anahuac, TX; Scholes 
International Airport at Galveston; Conroe-North Houston Regional 
Airport; Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, Angleton/Lake Jackson, TX; 
and Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport; and removes the 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at 
Wood No. 2 Airport, Brookshire, TX, and Covey Trails Airport, Fulshear, 
TX, which are contained within the Houston, TX, airspace legal 
description,

[[Page 34605]]

to support instrument flight rule operations at these airports.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (84 FR 67886; December 12, 2019) for Docket No. FAA-2019-0808 
to amend Class D airspace at Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, 
Conroe, TX; Scholes International Airport at Galveston, Galveston, TX; 
and Sugar Land Regional Airport, Houston, TX; amend Class E surface 
airspace at Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, Scholes 
International Airport at Galveston, and Sugar Land Regional Airport; 
revoke the Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class E 
surface area at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, Temple, 
TX; amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface at Chambers County Airport, Anahuac, TX; Scholes International 
Airport at Galveston; Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport; Texas Gulf 
Coast Regional Airport, Angleton/Lake Jackson, TX; and Draughon-Miller 
Central Texas Regional Airport; and remove Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Wood No. 2 Airport, 
Brookshire, TX, and Covey Trails Airport, Fulshear, TX, which are 
contained within the Houston, TX, airspace legal description. 
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 E airspace designations are published in paragraph 
5000, 6002, 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 the Class D airspace to within a 4.8-mile radius (increased 
from a 4.1-mile radius) of Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, 
Conroe, TX; removes the Navasota VORTAC and Humble VORTAC and the 
associated exclusion area from the airspace legal description; amends 
the exclusion area to ``. . . excluding that airspace from lat. 
30[deg]25'24'' N, long. 95[deg]22'11'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'32'' N, 
long. 95[deg]22'51'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'12'' N, long. 95[deg]19'51'' 
W''; updates the name and geographic coordinates of Conroe-North 
Houston Regional Airport (previously Lone Star Executive Airport) to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and replaces the 
outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amends the Class D airspace at Scholes International Airport at 
Galveston (previously Scholes INTL at Galveston), Galveston, TX, by 
updating the name of the airport to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; corrects the header of the airspace legal 
description from ``Galveston, Galveston, TX'' to ``Galveston, TX''; and 
replaces the outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart 
Supplement'';
    Amends the Class D airspace to within a 4.2-mile radius (decreased 
from a 5.8-mile radius) of Sugar Land Regional Airport, Houston, TX; 
corrects the header of the airspace legal description from ``Houston 
Sugar Land, TX'' to ``Houston, TX'' to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; removes the city associated with the airport 
from the airspace legal description to comply with FAA Order 7400.2M, 
Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters; and removes ``(previously 
called Airport/Facility Directory)'' as it is no longer needed;
    Amends the Class E surface airspace to within a 4.8-mile radius 
(increased from a 4.1-mile radius) of Conroe-North Houston Regional 
Airport, Conroe, TX; removes the Navasota VORTAC and Humble VORTAC and 
the associated exclusion area from the airspace legal description; 
amends the exclusion area to ``. . . excluding that airspace from lat. 
30[deg]25'24'' N, long. 95[deg]22'11'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'32'' N, 
long. 95[deg]22'51'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'12'' N, long. 95[deg]19'51'' 
W''; updates the name and geographic coordinates of Conroe-North 
Houston Regional Airport (previously Lone Star Executive Airport) to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and replaces the 
outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amends the Class E surface airspace at Scholes International 
Airport at Galveston (previously Scholes INTL at Galveston), Galveston, 
TX, by updating the name of the airport to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database; and replaces the outdated term ``Airport/
Facility Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amends the Class E surface airspace to within a 4.2-mile radius 
(decreased from a 5.8-mile radius) of Sugar Land Regional Airport, 
Houston, TX; corrects the header of the airspace legal description from 
``Houston Sugar Land, TX'' to ``Houston, TX'' to coincide with the 
FAA's aeronautical database; removes the city associated with the 
airport from the airspace legal description to comply with FAA Order 
7400.2M; and removes ``(previously called Airport/Facility Directory)'' 
as it is no longer needed;
    Amends the Class E surface airspace at Draughon-Miller Central 
Texas Regional Airport, Temple, TX, by removing the city associated 
with the airport in the airspace legal description to comply with FAA 
Order 7400.2M;
    Removes the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a 
Class E surface area at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, 
Temple, TX, as it is no longer needed;
    Amends the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface to within a 6.1-mile radius (decreased from a 6.3-
mile radius) at Chambers County Airport, Anahuac, TX; removes the 
Anahuac RBN and the associated extension from the airspace legal 
description; and updates the geographic coordinates of the airport to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database;
    Amends the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface by removing the Chambers County Airport, Anahuac, TX, 
and the associated exclusion area from the Houston, TX, airspace legal 
description as it is no longer needed; to within a 6.6-mile radius 
(decreased from a 7.6-mile radius) of Scholes International Airport at 
Galveston, Galveston, TX, which is contained within the Houston, TX, 
airspace legal description; removes the city associated with the 
Scholes International Airport from the airspace legal description to 
comply with FAA Order 7400.2M; removes the Woods No. 2 Airport, 
Brookshire, TX, and Covey Trails Airport, Fulshear, TX, which are 
contained within the Houston, TX, airspace legal description from the 
Houston, TX, airspace legal description, and revokes the associated 
Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
at these airports as the instrument procedures at these airports have 
been cancelled and the airspace is no longer required; to

[[Page 34606]]

within a 7.3-mile radius (increased from a 6.6-mile radius) of Conroe-
North Houston Regional Airport, Conroe, TX, which is contained within 
the Houston, TX, airspace legal description; and amends the airspace 
boundary from ``. . . thence from lat. 29[deg]17'04'' N long. 
95[deg]00'13'' W . . .'' to ``. . . thence from lat. 29[deg]16'48'' N, 
long. 94[deg]59'06'' W . . . .''; updates the names of Scholes 
International Airport at Galveston (previously Scholes International at 
Galveston) and Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (previously Lone 
Star Executive Airport) to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical 
database; and updates the geographic coordinates of Conroe-North 
Houston Regional Airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical 
database;
    Amends the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface to within a 6.6-mile radius (decreased from a 6.7-
mile radius) of Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, Angleton/Lake 
Jackson, TX; updates the header of the airspace legal description from 
``Lake Jackson, TX'' to ``Angleton/Lake Jackson, TX'' to coincide with 
the FAA's aeronautical database; removes the city associated with the 
airport from the airspace legal description to comply with FAA Order 
7400.2M; and updates the name and geographic coordinates of the Texas 
Gulf Coast Regional Airport (previously Brazoria County Airport) to 
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database;
    And amends the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, 
Temple, TX, by removing the city associated with the airport to comply 
with FAA Order 7400.2M; updates the name of the Draughon-Miller Central 
Texas Regional: RWY 15-LOC (previously Draughon-Miller Central Texas 
Regional Localizer) to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; 
removes the Temple VOR and the associated extension from the airspace 
legal description; removes the extension southwest of the airport as it 
is no longer needed; and amends the extension northwest of the airport 
to within 4 miles either side of the 343[deg] (previously 336[deg]) 
bearing of the Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional: RWY 15-LOC 
extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 14.2 miles (previously 14.4 
miles) northwest of the airport.
    These actions are the result of airspace reviews caused by the 
decommissioning of the Hobby and Temple VORs, which provided navigation 
information for the instrument procedures at these airports, as part of 
the VOR MON Program.
    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, 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 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.

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, and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASW TX D Conroe, TX [Amended]

Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 30[deg]21'12'' N, long. 95[deg]24'54'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 4.8-mile radius of Conroe-North Houston 
Regional Airport, excluding that airspace from lat. 30[deg]25'24'' 
N, long. 95[deg]22'11'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'32'' N, long. 
95[deg]22'51'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'12'' N, long. 95[deg]19'51'' W. 
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.
* * * * *

ASW TX D Galveston, TX [Amended]

Scholes International Airport at Galveston, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]15'55'' N, long. 94[deg]51'38'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface up to but not 
including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.1-mile radius of Scholes 
International Airport at Galveston. 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.
* * * * *

ASW TX D Houston, TX [Amended]

Sugar Land Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]37'20'' N, long. 95[deg]39'24'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Sugar Land 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 continuously published in 
the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Conroe, TX [Amended]

Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 30[deg]21'12'' N, long. 95[deg]24'54'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 4.8-mile radius of Conroe-North Houston 
Regional Airport, excluding that airspace from lat. 30[deg]25'24'' 
N, long. 95[deg]22'11'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'32'' N, long. 
95[deg]22'51'' W to lat. 30[deg]23'12'' N, long. 95[deg]19'51'' W. 
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.
* * * * *

[[Page 34607]]

ASW TX E2 Galveston, TX [Amended]

Scholes International Airport at Galveston, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]15'55'' N, long. 94[deg]51'38'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface up to but not 
including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.1-mile radius of Scholes 
International Airport at Galveston. 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.
* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Houston, TX [Amended]

Sugar Land Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]37'20'' N, long. 95[deg]39'24'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Sugar Land Regional 
Airport. 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.
* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Temple, TX [Amended]

Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 31[deg]09'07'' N, long. 97[deg]24'28'' W)

    Within a 4.2-mile radius of Draughon-Miller Central Texas 
Regional Airport. 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 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

ASW TX E4 Temple, TX [Removed]

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

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Anahuac, TX [Amended]

Chambers County Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]46'11'' N, long. 94[deg]39'49'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.1-mile radius of Chambers County Airport.
* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Houston, TX [Amended]

Point of Origin
    (Lat. 30[deg]35'01'' N, long. 95[deg]28'01'' W)
Scholes International Airport at Galveston, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]15'55'' N, long. 94[deg]51'38'' W)
Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 30[deg]21'12'' N, long. 95[deg]24'54'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an area bounded by a line beginning at the Point of Origin to 
lat. 29[deg]45'00'' N, long. 94[deg]44'01'' W; thence from lat. 
29[deg]45'00'' N, long. 94[deg]44'01'' W to a point of tangency with 
the east arc of a 6.6-mile radius of Scholes International Airport 
at Galveston, and within a 6.6-mile radius of Scholes International 
Airport at Galveston; thence from lat. 29[deg]16'48'' N, long. 
94[deg]59'06'' W; to lat. 29[deg]30'01'' N, long. 95[deg]54'01'' W; 
to lat. 30[deg]26'01'' N, long. 95[deg]42'01'' W; to the Point of 
Origin, and within a 7.3-mile radius of Conroe-North Houston 
Regional Airport.
* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Angleton/Lake Jackson, TX [Amended]

Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 29[deg]06'31'' N, long. 95[deg]27'44'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.6-mile radius of Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport.
* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Temple, TX [Amended]

Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, TX
    (Lat. 31[deg]09'07'' N, long. 97[deg]24'28'' W)
Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional: RWY 15-LOC
    (Lat. 31[deg]08'20'' N, long. 97[deg]24'16'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.7-mile radius of Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional 
Airport, and within 4 miles either side of the 343[deg] bearing of 
the Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional: RWY 15-LOC extending 
from the 6.7-mile radius to 14.2 miles northwest of the airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 26, 2020.
Steven T. Phillips,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2020-11610 Filed 6-5-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P