Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace; Camp Guernsey Airport, Guernsey, WY

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

This action proposes to modify the Class D airspace, Class E airspace area designated as a surface area (Class E2 surface area), and Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth (Class E5 airspace area) at Camp Guernsey Airport, Guernsey, WY. This action would more appropriately contain instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Additionally, the airport's legal descriptions should be amended to match the FAA's database.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before October 18, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-1856 and Airspace Docket No. 24-ANM-70 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 7400.11H, 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.

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 would modify the Class D airspace, Class E2 surface area, and Class E5 airspace area to support IFR operations at Camp Guernsey Airport, Guernsey, WY.

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 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 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 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 posts 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-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 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 Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office at the Northwest Mountain Regional Office of the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S. 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198.

Incorporation by Reference

Class D, Class E2, and Class E5 airspace designations are published in paragraphs 5000, 6002, and 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 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.

Background

The airport's Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the earth does not fully contain the Nondirectional Beacon (NDB) Runway (RWY) 32 Approach procedure. Additionally, the northern portion of the airport's Class D airspace, Class E2 surface area, and Class E5 airspace area overlie special use airspace (SUA) restricted areas (R) R-7001A and R-7002B. These shared airspace areas will convert to the appropriate SUA when the restricted area becomes active. Camp Guernsey Airport legal descriptions currently do not reflect the airspace change when SUAs are active. The airport's airspaces and legal descriptions should be amended to appropriately support IFR operations at Camp Guernsey Airport, Guernsey, WY.

The Proposal

The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to modify the Class E5 airspace area at Camp Guernsey Airport, Guernsey, WY, to support containment of IFR operations.

Class E5 airspace area should be modified to within 6.7- miles radius of the airport and within 6.7 miles each side of the airport's 143° bearing extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 18 miles southeast of the airport, excluding that airspace within R-7001A and R-7002B when active. The proposed airspace would accommodate IFR arrival operations descending through 1,500 feet above the surface and departing IFR operations until reaching 1,200 feet above the surface.

Additionally, administrative amendments are required for Camp Guernsey Airport's legal descriptions. Line one for city location should be identified as Guernsey, WY. The airport's Class D airspace and Class E2 surface area legal descriptions need the updated part-time text. Lastly, SUA exclusionary text should be added to all legal descriptions.

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.

The Proposed Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 FAA Order JO 7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace

ANM WY D Guernsey, WY [Amended]

Camp Guernsey Airport, WY

(Lat. 42°15′35″ N, long. 104°43′42″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface up to and including 6,900 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of the airport and within 1.5 miles each side of the 340° bearing from the airport, extending from the 5-mile radius to 6.5 miles north of the airport, excluding that airspace within R-7001A and R-7002B when active. This Class D airspace area is effective during specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air Missions. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as a Surface Area

ANM WY E2 Guernsey, WY [Amended]

Camp Guernsey Airport, WY

(Lat. 42°15′35″ N, long. 104°43′42″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface up to and including 6,900 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of the airport and within 1.5 miles each side of the 340° bearing from the airport, extending from the 5-mile radius to 6.5 miles north of the airport, excluding that airspace within R-7001A and R-7002B when active. This Class E surface area is effective during specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air Missions. 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.

ANM WY E5 Guernsey, WY [Amended]

Camp Guernsey Airport, WY

(Lat. 42°15′35″ N, long. 104°43′42″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.7-mile radius of the airport and within 6.7 miles each side of the 143° bearing from the airport, extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 18 miles southeast of the airport, excluding that airspace within R-7001A and R-7002B when active.

[FR Doc. 2024-19588 Filed 8-30-24; 8:45 am]

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