Proposed Establishment of Class D Airspace: Destin, FL; Duke Field, Eglin AFB, FL; Proposed Revocation of Class D Airspace; Eglin AF Aux No 3 Duke Field, FL; and Proposed Amendment of Class D and E Airspace; Eglin Air Force Base, FL; Eglin Hurlburt Field, FL; and Crestview, FL

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

This action proposes to establish Class D airspace at Destin, FL, providing the controlled airspace required for the Air Traffic Control Tower at Destin Executive Airport, (formerly Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport). Additionally, this action would remove Eglin AF Aux No 3 Duke Field from the Class D designation, and establish Duke Field, Eglin AFB, FL in its place. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would amend existing Class D and Class E airspace by recognizing the airport's name change. This action also would change the existing Class D airspace designation at Duke Field, Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), FL, and would adjust the geographic coordinates of Eglin AFB, Destin Executive Airport, Duke Field, and Hurlburt Field, to stay in concert with the FAA's database.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before April 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments on this rule to: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Bldg. Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; Telephone: 1-800-647-5527; Fax: 202-493-2251. You must identify the Docket Number FAA-2015-7203; Airspace Docket No. 15-ASO-14, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit and review received comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5527), is on the ground floor of the building at the above address.

FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/airtraffic/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 7400.9Z at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FAA Order 7400.9, 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 would establish Class D airspace at Destin Executive Airport, Destin, FL, and Duke Field Eglin AFB, FL; and remove Class D airspace at Eglin AF Aux No 3 Duke Field; and amend Class D and Class E airspace at Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.

Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. FAA-2015-7203; Airspace Docket No. 15-ASO-14) and be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

Persons wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket No. FAA-2015-7203; Airspace Docket No. 15-ASO-14.” The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.

All communications received before the specified closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from and comments submitted through http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/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 Office (see the ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. An informal docket may also be examined between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 350, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337.

Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, to request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking distribution System, which describes the application procedure.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 2015. FAA Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to establish Class D airspace up to and including 1,600 feet within a 4.4 mile radius of at Destin Executive Airport, Destin, FL, providing the controlled airspace required to support the Air Traffic Control Tower. Additionally, this action would remove the Class D designator for Eglin AF Aux No 3 Duke Field, FL, and replace it with Duke Field, Eglin AFB, FL. This action would also adjust the geographic coordinates in Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Eglin Air Force Base, FL, Destin Executive Airport, Duke Field, and Hurlburt Field, to stay in concert with the FAA's database. Also, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport would be changed to Destin Executive Airport.

Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 5000, 6002, and 6005, respectively of FAA Order 7400.9Z, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 2015, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E airspace designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

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 would 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.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

• Airspace
• Incorporation by reference
• Navigation (air)

The Proposed Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

ASO FL D Destin, FL [New]

Destin Executive Airport, FL

(Lat. 30°24′00″ N., long. 86°28′17″ W.)

Eglin Air Force Base, FL

(Lat. 30°29′00″ N., long. 86°31′34″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 1,600 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of Destin Executive Airport, excluding that portion north of the triangle beginning at lat. 30°23′39″ N., long. 86°23′13″ W., to lat. 30°27′00″ N., long. 86°30′19″ W., to lat. 30°20′54″ N., long. 86°31′56″ W. This Class D airspace is effective during the operating hours of the Destin Executive Airport tower published in the Airport/Facility Directory. The airspace is incorporated into the Eglin Air Force Base, FL Class D airspace when the tower is closed.

ASO FL D Eglin Air Force Base, FL [Amended]

Eglin Air Force Base, FL

(Lat. 30°29′00″ N., long. 86°31′34″ W.)

Destin Executive Airport

(Lat. 30°24′00″ N., long. 86°28′17″ W.)

Duke Field

(Lat. 30°38′55″ N., long. 86°31′19″ W.)

Hurlburt Field

(Lat. 30°25′44″ N., long. 86°41′20″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,600 feet MSL within a 5.5-mile radius of Eglin AFB, and within a 4.4-mile radius of Destin Executive Airport, excluding the portion north of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection within a 5.2-mile radius centered on Duke Field; excluding the portion southwest of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection within a 5.3-mile radius of Hurlburt Field; excluding a portion east of a line beginning at lat. 30°30′43″ N., long. 86°26′21″ W. extending east to the 5.5-mile radius of Eglin AFB. When the tower at Destin Executive Airport is operational, it excludes Destin's Class D airspace defined as that airspace south of the triangle beginning at lat. 30°23′39″ N., long. 86°23′13″ W. to lat. 30°27′00″ N., long. 86°30′19″ W. to lat. 30°20′54″ N., long. 86°31′56″ W. from the surface to and including 1,600 feet MSL.

ASO FL D Eglin AF Aux No 3 Duke Field, FL [Removed]

ASO FL D Duke Field Eglin AFB, FL [New]

Duke Field, FL

(Lat. 30°38′55″ N., long. 86°31′19″ W.)

Crestview, Bob Sikes Airport

(Lat. 30°46′44″ N., long. 86°31′20″ W.)

Eglin AFB

(Lat. 30°29′00″ N., long. 86°31′34″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,700 feet MSL within a 5.2-mile radius of Duke Field; excluding the portion north of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection with a 4.2-mile radius circle centered on Bob Sikes Airport; excluding the portion south of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection with a 5.5-mile radius circle centered on Eglin AFB. 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 Airport/Facility Directory.

ASO FL D Eglin Hurlburt Field, FL [Amended]

Eglin, Hurlburt Field, FL

(Lat. 30°25′44″ N., long. 86°41′20″ W.)

Eglin AFB

(Lat. 30°29′00″ N., long. 86°31′34″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from the surface, to and including 2,500 feet MSL within a 5.3-mile radius of Hurlburt Field; excluding the portion northeast of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection with a 5.5-mile radius circle centered on Eglin AFB. 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 airport/Facility Directory.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Area Airspace.

ASO FL E2 Crestview, FL [Amended]

Bob Sikes Airport, FL

(Lat. 30°46′44″ N., long. 86°31′20″ W.)

Duke Field, Eglin AFB

(Lat. 30°38′55″ N., long. 86°31′19″ W.)

Within a 4.2-mile radius of Bob Sikes Airport; excluding the portion south of a line connecting the 2 points of intersection with a 5.2-mile radius circle centered on Duke Field 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 Airport/Facility Directory.

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

ASO FL E5 Eglin Air Force Base, FL [Amended]

Eglin Air Force Base, FL

(Lat. 30°29′00″ N., long. 86°31′34″ W.)

Destin Executive Airport

(Lat. 30°24′00″ N., long. 86°28′17″ W.)

Duke Field

(Lat. 30°38′55″ N., long. 86°31′19″ W.)

Hurlburt Field

(Lat. 30°25′44″ N., long. 86°41′20″ W.)

Fort Walton Beach Airport

(Lat. 30°24′23″ N., long. 86°49′45″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7-mile radius of Eglin Air Force Base, and within a 7.8-mile radius of Destin Executive Airport, and within a 7-mile radius of Duke Field, and within a 7-mile radius of Hurlburt Field, excluding a 1.5-mile radius of Fort Walton Beach Airport.