Amendment of Class E Airspace; Llano and Mason, TX, 35019-35021 [2024-09239]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35019-35021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09239]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1123; Airspace Docket No. 24-ASW-10]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Llano and Mason, TX

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 at Llano, 
TX, and Mason, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an 
airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Llano very 
high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum 
Operational Network (MON) Program. The geographic coordinates of the 
Llano Municipal Airport, Llano, TX, would also be updated to coincide 
with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action will bring the 
airspace into compliance with FAA orders and support instrument flight 
rule (IFR) procedures and operations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 17, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-1123 and 
Airspace Docket No. 24-ASW-10 using any of the following methods:
    * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instruction 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 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 7400.11H, 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: 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 would amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at Llano Municipal Airport, Llano, TX, and Mason 
County Airport, Mason, TX, to support IFR operations at these airports.

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 overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 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 one

[[Page 35020]]

time 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, as well 
as 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 received on or before 
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed 
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so 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 post these 
comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14FDMS), 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 also 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 
Office (see the ADDRESSES section for the address, phone number, and 
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the Federal Aviation Administration, Air 
Traffic Organization, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group, 
10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class E airspace is published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order JO 
7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This 
document proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order 
JO 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023. 
These updates would be published subsequently in the next update to FAA 
Order JO 7400.11. That order is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11H lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 by:
    Modifying the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface to within a 7.2-mile (increased from a 6.5-mile) radius of 
Llano Municipal Airport, Llano, TX; adding an extension within 2 miles 
each side of the 179[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 
7.2-mile radius to 12.3 miles south of the airport; modifying the 
extension within 4 miles each side of the 359[deg] bearing from the 
airport extending from the 7.2-mile (previously 6.5-mile) radius of the 
airport to 8.7 (previously 13.5) miles north of the airport; and 
updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the 
FAA's aeronautical database;
    And modifying the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface to within a 7.7-mile (increased from a 6.4-mile) 
radius of the Mason County Airport, Mason, TX; modifying the extension 
within 2 miles each side of the 001[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 7.7-mile (previously 6.4-mile) radius to 11.8 miles 
north of the airport; and adding an extension within 2 miles each side 
of the 181[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 7.7-mile 
radius to 10.8 miles south of the airport.
    This action is the result of an airspace review conducted due to 
the decommissioning of the Llano VOR as part of the VOR MON Program and 
supports IFR operations at these airports.

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 amend 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 
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Llano, TX [Amended]

Llano Municipal Airport, TX
    (Lat 30[deg]47'03'' N, long 98[deg]39'36'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.2-mile radius of Llano Municipal Airport; and within 2 
miles each side of the 179[deg] bearing from the airport extending 
from the 7.2-mile radius to 12.3 miles south of the airport; and 
within 4 miles each side of the 359[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 7.2-mile radius to 8.7 miles north of the 
airport.
* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Mason, TX [Amended]

Mason County Airport, TX
    (Lat 30[deg]43'56'' N, long 99[deg]11'02'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.7-mile radius of Mason County Airport; and within 2 miles 
each side of the 001[deg] bearing from the airport extending from 
the 7.7-mile radius to 11.8 miles north of the airport; and within 2 
miles each side of the 181[deg] bearing from the airport extending 
from the 7.7-mile radius to 10.8 miles south of the airport.
* * * * *


[[Page 35021]]


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 25, 2024.
Steven T. Phillips,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2024-09239 Filed 4-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P