Amendment of Class D Airspace for St. Petersburg, FL

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends the ceiling of the Class D Airspace area at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, St. Petersburg, FL. This would allow the Tampa International Airport Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) to carry out Letter of Agreement procedures between St. Petersburg Air Traffic Control Tower and Tampa Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) for the safety and management of standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs), and for Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations in the area.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, January 5, 2017. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under Title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES:

FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on line at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: 202-267-8783. The Order is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of FAA Order 7400.11A at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Fornito, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 305-6364.

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 D airspace at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, St. Petersburg, FL.

History

In a review of the airspace, the FAA found the Class D airspace description for St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, St. Petersburg, FL, published in FAA Order 7400.11A, describes the ceiling as extending upward from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL. The Tampa International Airport Class B airspace area has control of aircraft operating at and above 1,800 feet MSL in the St. Petersburg, FL, Class D airspace area.

The FAA is lowering the Class D airspace area to 1,600 feet MSL to avoid the overlap of controlled airspace between the two airports. To avoid confusion on the part of pilots overflying the St. Petersburg, FL, area, the FAA finds that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are impracticable and contrary to the public interest. To be consistent with the FAA's safety mandate when an unsafe condition exists, the FAA finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days to promote the safe and efficient handling of air traffic in the area.

Class D airspace designations are published in paragraphs 5000 of FAA Order 7400.11A dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Class D airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document amends FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 2016. FAA Order 7400.11A is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11A lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by lowering the ceiling of the Class D airspace area from 2,500 feet MSL to upward from the surface to and including 1,600 feet MSL at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, St. Petersburg, FL. The Letter of Agreement between Tampa TRACON and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport ATCT, established February 13, 2015, states that Tampa TRACON shall control aircraft operating at or above 1,800 feet MSL in the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport Class D airspace area. This airspace change eliminates confusion on the part of pilots operating aircraft at or above 1,600 feet MSL in the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport Class D airspace area. Also, an adjustment to the geographic coordinates of St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is made to be in concert with the FAA's aeronautical database.

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 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 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 preparation of an environmental assessment.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

• Airspace
• Incorporation by reference
• Navigation (air)

Adoption of 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

1. The authority citation for 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 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, effective September 15, 2016, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

ASO FL D St. Petersburg, FL [Amended]

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, FL

(Lat. 27°54′31″ N., long. 82°41′11″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 1,600 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport; excluding that portion within the Tampa International Airport, FL, Class B airspace area. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement (previously called Airport/Facility Directory).