Establishment of Class E Airspace, St. Simons, GA, and Brunswick, GA; Revocation of Class E Airspace, Brunswick, GA; and, Amendment of Class E Airspace, Brunswick, GA

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action establishes Class E surface airspace for St. Simons Island Airport, St. Simons, GA, and for Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, Brunswick, GA, and amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Brunswick, GA, to accommodate airspace reconfiguration due to the airport's names and cities requiring updates. Also, this action removes Class E surface airspace listed as Brunswick Glynco Jetport, GA, and Brunswick Malcolm-McKinnon Airport, GA in the FAA's 7400.11D. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of St. Simons Island Airport, (formally Brunswick Malcolm-McKinnon Airport). In addition, this action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in the Brunswick area by updating the name and geographic coordinates of St. Simons Island Airport and Brunswick Golden Isles Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, January 30, 2020. 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 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on line 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 7400.11D 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 Ave., 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 establishes Class E airspace at St. Simons Island Airport, St. Simons, GA, and Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, Brunswick, GA, as well as amend Class E airspace in Brunswick, GA to support IFR operations in the area. Also, this action removes outdated airspace in the area.

History

The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (84 FR 40301, August 14, 2019) for Docket No. FAA-2019-0591 to establish Class E surface airspace at St. Simons Island Airport, St. Simons, GA, and Brunswick Golden Isle Airport, Brunswick, GA, and amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface at Brunswick, GA, by updating the airport names to St. Simons Island Airport (formerly Brunswick/Malcolm-McKinnon Airport), and Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (formerly Glynco Jetport Airport), and updating the geographic coordinates of St. Simons Island Airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One comment supporting the action was received.

Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 6002 and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11D, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Class E airspace designation 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 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 establishes Class E surface airspace at St. Simons Island Airport, St. Simons, GA, and Brunswick Golden Isle Airport, Brunswick, GA. Also, this action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface at Brunswick, GA, by updating the airport names to St. Simons Island Airport (formerly Brunswick/Malcolm-McKinnon Airport), and Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (previously Glynco Jetport Airport). Also, the geographic coordinates of St. Simons Island Airport are adjusted to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

These changes are necessary for continued safety and management of IFR operations at this airport.

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 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 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Area Airspace.

ASO GA E2 St. Simons, GA [New]

St. Simons Island Airport, GA

(Lat. 31°09′07″ N, long. 81°23′28″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.1-mile radius of St. Simons Island Airport.

ASO GA E2 Brunswick, GA [New]

Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, GA

(Lat. 31°15′33″ N, long. 81°27′59″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.2-mile radius of Brunswick Golden Isles Airport.

ASO GA E2 Brunswick Glynco Jetport, GA [Removed]

ASO GA E2 Brunswick Malcolm-McKinnon Airport, GA [Removed]

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

ASO GA E5 Brunswick, GA [Amended]

St. Simons Island Airport, GA

(Lat. 31°09′07″ N, long. 81°23′28″ W)

Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, GA

(Lat. 31°15′33″ N, long. 81°27′59″ W)

Jekyll Island Airport, GA

(Lat. 31°04′28″ N, long. 81°25′40″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7-mile radius of the St. Simons Island Airport, and within a 7-mile radius of Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, and within a 9-mile radius of Jekyll Island Airport.