Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, and Establishment of Class E Airspace; Worcester, MA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester, MA, as an airspace evaluation of the area determined additional airspace is necessary. Also, this action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for UMass Memorial Medical Center—University Campus Heliport, to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) serving this heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, August 12, 2021. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES:

FAA Order 7400.11E Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments, can be viewed online at https://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 7400.11E at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Fornito, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; 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 and Class E airspace, and establishes Class E airspace in Worcester, MA, to support IFR operations in the area.

History

The FAA published a notice of prosed rulemaking in the Federal Register (86 FR 10886 February 23, 2021) for Docket No. FAA-2020-1188 to amend Class D airspace and Class E surface airspace, for Worcester Regional Airport (formerly Worcester Municipal Airport), Worcester, MA, to amend the Class D and Class E surface areas, and amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and update the airport's name. In addition, the action proposed to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at UMass Memorial Medical Center-University Campus Heliport.

Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.

Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 5000, 6002, and 6005, respectively of FAA Order 7400.11E, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E 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 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by amending Class D and Class E surface airspace for Worcester Regional Airport (formerly Worcester Municipal Airport), Worcester, MA. This rule increases the radius of the Class D and Class E surface airspace to 5.1 miles (from 4.2 miles). Also, the airport's Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is increased to a 7.6-mile radius (from 6.7 miles). This action also updates the airport's name. In addition, the FAA establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for UMass Memorial Medical Center—University Campus Heliport, Worcester, MA, providing the controlled airspace required to support the new RNAV (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures for IFR operations at the heliport. This action also replaces the outdated term Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the legal description of associated Class D and Class E airspace.

Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 5000, 6002, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11E, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

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

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 an 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 Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

ANE MA D Worcester, MA [Amended]

Worcester Regional Airport, MA

(Lat. 42°16′02″ N, long. 71°52′32″ W)

Spencer Airport, MA

(Lat. 42°17′26″ N, long. 71°57′53″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 3,500 feet MSL within a 5.1-mile radius of Worcester Regional Airport, excluding that airspace from the surface up to but not including 1,900 feet MSL within a 1-mile radius of the Spencer Airport. 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.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.

ANE MA E2 Worcester, MA [Amended]

Worcester Regional Airport, MA

(Lat. 42°16′02″ N, long. 71°52′32″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 5.1-mile radius of Worcester Regional Airport. This Class E 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.

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

ANE MA E5 Worcester, MA [Amended]

Worcester Regional Airport, MA

(Lat. 42°16′02″ N, long. 71°52′32″ W)

UMass Memorial Medical Center—University Campus Heliport

(Lat. 42°16′30″ N, long. 71°45′36″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.6-mile radius of Worcester Regional Airport, and within a 6-mile radius of UMass Memorial Medical Center—University Campus Heliport.