Amendment of Class E Airspace; Tallahassee, FL

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 Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Heliport, Tallahassee, FL.

History

The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. FAA 2023-2171 in the Federal Register (89 FR 54741; July 2, 2024), proposing to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Heliport, Tallahassee, FL. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.

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 amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024. FAA Order JO 7400.11J is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. These amendments will be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11J 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 amends Class E airspace by adding airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6-mile radius of the point in space (Lat. 30°27′26″ N, long. 84°15′40″ W) for Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Heliport, Tallahassee, FL. Additionally, it corrects the Tallahassee International Airport name and coordinates for Tallahassee International Airport (formerly Tallahassee Regional Airport) and Quincy Municipal Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

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 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

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.

The Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

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.

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation Administration Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:

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

ASO FL E5 Tallahassee, FL [Amended]

Tallahassee International Airport

(Lat. 30°23′48″ N, long. 84°21′03″ W)

Quincy Municipal Airport

(Lat. 30°35′52″ N, long. 84°33′27″ W)

Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Heliport

(Lat. 30°27′26″ N, long. 84°15′40″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 10-mile radius of the Tallahassee International Airport, a 6.3-mile radius of Quincy Municipal Airport, and within a 6-mile radius of the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Heliport.

[FR Doc. 2024-23957 Filed 10-17-24; 8:45 am]

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