Amendment of Class E Airspace; Nashville, TN, 29565-29566 [2023-08760]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 88 (Monday, May 8, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29565-29566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08760]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0995; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASO-17]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Nashville, TN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace designated 
as an extension to a Class C surface area and Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Nashville, TN, as 
the result of a Class C Airspace modification and a biennial 
evaluation. This action would reduce the Class E airspace designated as 
an extension to the Nashville International Airport Class C airspace. 
This action would also extend the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface surrounding Music City Executive 
Airport, and reduce the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface surrounding Lebanon Municipal Airport, Murfreesboro 
Municipal Airport, and John C. Tune Airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 22, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-0995 and 
Airspace Docket No. 23-ASO-17 using any of the following methods:
    * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    * Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West 
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in 
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    * Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for 
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of 
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and 
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Ledford, Operations Support 
Group, Office of Policy, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; 
Telephone: (404) 305-5946.

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 controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and 
management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are 
specifically invited on the proposal's overall regulatory, 
aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects. The 
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, 
commenters should submit only once if comments are filed 
electronically, or commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments if comments are filed in writing.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives and a 
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, 
the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before the closing 
date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the 
comment period has closed if it is possible without incurring expense 
or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light of the comments it 
receives.
    Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments 
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts 
these comments, without editing, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can be accessed through the FAA's web page at 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 
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and 
hours of

[[Page 29566]]

operations). An informal docket may also be examined during regular 
business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Room 350, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 
30337.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 6003 and 
6005 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 
annually. This document proposes to amend the current version of that 
order, FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022 and effective 
September 15, 2022. These updates will be published in the next FAA 
Order JO 7400.11. That order 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 Proposal

    The FAA proposes to amend Class E airspace designated as an 
extension to the Class C surface area of Nashville International 
Airport by extending it from the 7-mile radius of the airport instead 
of the 5-mile radius, as a result of the new Class C structure. The FAA 
also proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface surrounding Music City Executive Airport by 
extending it from within a 7-mile radius to within a 7.5-mile radius of 
the airport, and by reducing the Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface surrounding Lebanon Municipal Airport from 
within a 10-mile radius to within an 8-mile radius of the airport. The 
FAA also proposes to reduce the Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface surrounding Murfreesboro Municipal Airport 
from within a 9-mile radius to within a 7.3-mile radius of the airport 
and 2.6 miles each side of the 182[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 7.3-mile radius to 12 miles south of the airport. 
Additionally, the FAA proposes to reduce the airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface surrounding John C. Tune Airport from 
within an 8.6-mile radius to within an 8.1-mile radius of the airport.
    The FAA proposes these changes to support IFR procedures as a 
result of a Class C Airspace modification and a biennial evaluation.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    The FAA has determined that this proposed 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 
will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this proposed rule, when promulgated, will not have a 
significant economic impact on a 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

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to a14 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, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6003 Class E Airspace Area Designated as an Extension to 
a Class C Surface Area.

* * * * *

ASO TN E3 Nashville, TN

Nashville International Airport, TN
    (Lat. 36[deg]07'31'' N, long. 86[deg]40'35'' W)
Nashville VORTAC
    (Lat. 36[deg]07'62'' N, long. 86[deg]40'95'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface extending from 
the 7-mile radius of Nashville International Airport to an 11.7-mile 
radius southeast of the airport, from the Nashville VORTAC 161[deg] 
radial clockwise to the 195[deg] radial, and to an 8.9-mile radius 
southwest of the airport from the 195[deg] radial of the VORTAC 
clockwise to the 231[deg] radial of the VORTAC.

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

* * * * *

ASO TN E5 Nashville, TN

Nashville International Airport, TN
    (Lat 36[deg]07'28'' N, long 86[deg]40'41'' W)
Smyrna Airport
    (Lat. 36[deg]00'32'' N, long 86[deg]31'12'' W)
Music City Executive Airport
    (Lat 36[deg]22'30'' N, long 86[deg]24'30'' W)
Lebanon Municipal Airport
    (Lat 36[deg]11'25'' N, long 86[deg]18'56'' W)
Murfreesboro Municipal Airport
    (Lat 35[deg]52'43'' N, long 86[deg]22'39'' W)
John C. Tune Airport
    (Lat 36[deg]10'59'' N, long 86[deg]53'11'' W)
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Hospital Point In Space 
Coordinates
    (Lat 36[deg]08'30'' N, long 86[deg]48'6'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 15-mile radius of Nashville International Airport, and 
within an 11.5-mile radius of Smyrna Airport, and within a 7.5-mile 
radius of Music City Executive Airport, and within an 8-mile radius 
of Lebanon Municipal Airport, and within a 7.3-mile radius of 
Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, and within 2.6 miles each side of 
the 182[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 7.3-mile 
radius to 12 miles south of the airport, and within an 8.1-mile 
radius of John C. Tune Airport, and that airspace within a 6-mile 
radius of the Point In Space serving Vanderbilt University Medical 
Center Hospital.


    Issued in College Park, GA, on April 20, 2023.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air 
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2023-08760 Filed 5-5-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P