Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace; China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport, CA, 2327-2328 [2022-00279]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2327-2328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00279]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0804; Airspace Docket No. 20-AWP-56]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace; China Lake NAWS 
(Armitage Field) Airport, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D airspace at China Lake NAWS 
(Armitage Field) Airport, China Lake, CA. This action also modifies the 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. 
Additionally, this action removes the China Lake (Navy) TACAN from the 
Class E5 text header and airspace description. Lastly, this action 
implements numerous administrative updates to the Class D and Class E5 
text headers and the Class D airspace description. This action ensures 
the safety and management of instrument flight rule (IFR) operations at 
the airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, March 24, 2022. 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 JO 7400.11 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 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. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is also available for inspection at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on 
the availability of FAA Order JO 7400.11F at NARA, email 
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathan A. Chaffman, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3460.

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 modifies the Class D and Class E airspace at China Lake NAWS 
(Armitage Field) Airport, China Lake, CA, to ensure the safety and 
management of IFR operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (86 FR 56843; October 13, 2021) for Docket No. FAA-2021-0804 
to modify the Class D and Class E airspace at China Lake NAWS (Armitage 
Field) Airport, China Lake, CA. 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 E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 
dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 2021, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace 
designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F lists Class 
A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 modifies the Class D airspace at 
China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport, China Lake, CA. To properly 
contain departing IFR aircraft flying toward or over rising terrain, 
the Class D is extended to the southwest of the airport.
    This action also modifies the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface. This airspace is designed to contain 
departing IFR aircraft until reaching 1,200 feet above the surface and 
arriving IFR aircraft descending below 1,500 feet above the surface. 
New IFR approach procedures to Runway 03 were recently established at 
China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport, therefore, additional Class E

[[Page 2328]]

airspace is necessary to ensure proper containment of the procedures.
    Additionally, this action removes the China Lake (NAVY) TACAN from 
the Class E5 text header and airspace description. The navigational aid 
(NAVAID) is not needed to describe the airspace area, and removal of 
the NAVAID simplifies the airspace description.
    Lastly, this action implements numerous administrative updates to 
Class D and Class E5 text headers and the Class D airspace description. 
The city name in the first line of the text headers is amended from 
``China Lake NWC'' to ``China Lake'', to match the FAA database. The 
airport name in the second line of the text headers is amended from 
``China Lake NWC'' to ``China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport'', to 
match the FAA database. The geographic coordinates in the third line of 
the text headers are updated to ``lat. 35[deg]41'09'' N, long. 
117[deg]41'32'' W'', to match the FAA database. The term ``Airport/
Facility Directory'' in the last line of the Class D airspace 
description is updated to ``Chart Supplement.''
    FAA Order JO 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 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 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 the 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(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 JO 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AWP CA D China Lake, CA [Amended]

China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport, CA
    (Lat. 35[deg]41'09'' N, long. 117[deg]41'32'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
4,800 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of the airport, and within 
1.9 miles each side of the 226[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 4.5-mile radius to 5.3 miles southwest of the 
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 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

AWP CA E5 China Lake, CA [Amended]

China Lake NAWS (Armitage Field) Airport, CA
    (Lat. 35[deg]41'09'' N, long. 117[deg]41'32'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 4.5-mile radius of the airport, and within a 7-mile radius 
of the airport from the 115[deg] bearing from the airport clockwise 
to the 271[deg] bearing from the airport, and within 2.9 miles each 
side of the 184[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 7-
mile radius to 9 miles south of the airport.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on January 4, 2022.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2022-00279 Filed 1-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P