Establishment of Class D Airspace; Riverside March Field, CA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action establishes a Class D surface area at Riverside March Field, CA, within a 5-mile radius of the airport from the surface up to and including 4,000 feet mean sea level (MSL). The continuous hours of operation of March Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), combined with a part-time Class C airspace area for Riverside March Field, has made this action necessary.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

0901 UTC, November 25, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Debra Trindle, Airspace Specialist, Airspace Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California; telephone (310) 725-6613.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On Monday, August 2, 2004, the FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 71 to establish Class D airspace at Riverside March Field, CA (69 FR 46116). The proposal was to establish a Class D surface area within a 5-mile radius of the airport from the surface up to and including 4,000 feet mean sea level (MSL). Riverside March Field currently has Class C airspace that is effective only when the March Ground Control Approach (GCA) is open, usually 2300 local to 0700 local; however the March ATCT is open continuously. Class D airspace is necessary when the ATCT is open, and the GCA is closed, to contain and protect Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and other Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments objecting to the proposal were received. Class D airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000 of FAA Order 7400.9M dated August 30, 2004, and effective September 16, 2004, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D airspace designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 establishes Class D airspace at Riverside March Field, CA, to accommodate aircraft executing instrument flight procedures into and out of Riverside March Field. The airspace description and effective times of use will be published in appropriate aeronautical publications. The area will not be charted due to the existing, already charted, Class C airspace area.

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. Therefore, this regulation—(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 rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List 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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 95665, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 30, 2004, and effective September 16, 2004, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.

AWP CA D Riverside March Field, CA [New]

Riverside March Field, CA

(Lat. 33°52′50″ N, long. 117°15′34″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 4,000 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of the Riverside March Field. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific days and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective days and times will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory.