Amendment of Class C Airspace; Buffalo, NY, 2204-2205 [2023-00340]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2204-2205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00340]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1640; Airspace Docket No. 22-AWA-9]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class C Airspace; Buffalo, NY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the Greater Buffalo International Airport, 
NY, Class C airspace description to update the Greater Buffalo 
International Airport and Lancaster Airport names and the associated 
airport reference point (ARP) geographic coordinates for each airport 
to match the FAA's National Airspace System Resource (NASR) database 
information. Additionally, this action makes a technical amendment to 
the airspace description header information by changing the title of 
the airspace area. This action does not change the boundaries, 
altitudes, or operating requirements of the Class C airspace area.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, April 20, 2023. 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 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the 
Rules and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

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

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 
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 updates listed airport names and the associated ARP 
geographic coordinates for those airports and amends the airspace 
description header information by changing the airspace title.

History

    Class C airspace areas are designed to improve air safety by 
reducing the risk of midair collisions in high volume airport terminal 
areas and to enhance the management of air traffic operations in that 
area. While amending Class D and Class E airspace areas in the vicinity 
of Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY, the FAA identified that the Greater 
Buffalo International Airport and Lancaster Airport names and 
associated ARP geographic coordinates required updating in the Greater 
Buffalo International Airport Class C airspace description. 
Additionally, the FAA identified a technical amendment to the Greater 
Buffalo International Airport airspace description header information 
necessary to change the title of the Class C airspace area to reflect 
city and state instead of the airport name the airspace is designated 
around.
    This action updates the airport names and ARP geographic 
coordinates for both airports to match the FAA's NASR database 
information and changes the title of the Class C airspace area to 
comply with FAA Order JO 7400.2 airspace legal description guidance.
    Class C airspace areas are published in paragraph 4000 of FAA Order 
JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class C airspace 
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 7400.11G, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 
15, 2022. FAA Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11G lists Class 
A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending the Greater Buffalo 
International Airport, NY, Class C airspace description to update the 
Greater Buffalo International Airport and Lancaster Airport names and 
associated ARP geographic coordinates. This action also makes a 
technical amendment to the airspace description header by changing the 
airspace title.
    The ``Greater Buffalo International Airport'' name is changed to 
``Buffalo Niagara International Airport'' and the ``Lancaster Airport'' 
name is changed to ``Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport''. 
Additionally, the ARP geographic coordinates for the Buffalo Niagara 
International Airport are changed from ``lat. 42[deg]56'26'' N, long. 
78[deg]43'56'' W'' to

[[Page 2205]]

``lat. 42[deg]56'26'' N, long. 78[deg]43'50'' W'' and the ARP 
geographic coordinates for the Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport are 
changed from ``lat. 42[deg]55'20'' N, long. 78[deg]36'44'' W'' to 
``lat. 42[deg]55'19'' N, long. 78[deg]36'43'' W''. Lastly, the airspace 
title in the airspace description header is changed from ``Greater 
Buffalo International Airport, NY'' to ``Buffalo, NY''. The airport 
name and ARP geographic coordinates updates are made to coincide with 
the FAA's NASR database information. The airspace title technical 
amendment is made to comply with airspace legal description guidance 
contained in FAA Order JO 7400.2.
    This action does not affect the boundaries, altitudes, or operating 
requirements of the airspace. Therefore, notice and public procedure 
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary.
    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. 
It, therefore: (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.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action making technical amendments 
to the Buffalo, NY, Class C airspace description qualifies for 
categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 40 CFR part 
1500, and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: 
Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically excludes 
from full environmental impact review rulemaking actions that designate 
or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting 
points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E 
Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting Points). As 
such, this airspace action is not expected to result in any potentially 
significant environmental impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 
1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA 
has reviewed this action for factors and circumstances in which a 
normally categorically excluded action may have a significant 
environmental impact requiring further analysis. Accordingly, the FAA 
has determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant 
preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact 
study.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

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 
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2022, effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 4000 Class C Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA NY C Buffalo, NY

Buffalo Niagara International Airport, NY
    (Lat. 42[deg]56'26'' N, long. 78[deg]43'50'' W)
Buffalo Airfield, NY
(Lat. 42[deg]51'43'' N, long. 78[deg]43'00'' W)
    Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport, NY
(Lat. 42[deg]55'19'' N, long. 78[deg]36'43'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
4,700 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of the Buffalo Niagara 
International Airport, excluding that airspace within a 1-mile 
radius of the Buffalo Airfield and within a 1-mile radius of the 
Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport; and that airspace extending 
upward from 2,200 feet MSL to and including 4,700 feet MSL within a 
10-mile radius of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, 
excluding that airspace within Canada.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 5, 2023.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-00340 Filed 1-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P