Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; San Juan, PR

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action makes the editorial changes, updating the geographic coordinates of Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport and replacing the term Notice to Airmen with Notice to Air Missions and Airport/Facility Directory with Chart Supplement in Class D description. This action also corrects the airspace header for the San Juan Class D airspace. This action does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, July 11, 2024. 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 JO 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES:

This final rule may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

FAA Order JO 7400.11H, Airspace Designations, Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783.

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 updates each airport's geographic coordinates and airspace descriptions. This update is an administrative change and does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

Incorporation by Reference

Class D and Class E airspace are published in paragraphs 5000 and 6005 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 annually. This document amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023. FAA Order JO 7400.11H is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. These amendments will be published in the next FAA Order JO 7400.11 update. FAA Order JO 7400.11H lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 amends the Class D airspace and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, San Juan, PR by updating each airport's geographic coordinates, as well as updating the descriptions by making editorial changes, replacing the term Notice to Airmen with Notice to Air Missions and replacing the term Airport/Facility Directory with Chart Supplement in the appropriate description. In addition, the San Juan Class D airspace header is corrected to read PR (previously RP). This action is an administrative change and does not affect the airspace boundaries or operating requirements; therefore, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary.

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 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

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 the preparation of an environmental assessment.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

• Airspace
• Incorporation by reference
• Navigation (air)

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 14 CFR 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 JO 7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

ASO PR D San Juan, PR [Amended]

Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport

(Lat. 18°27′24″ N, long. 66°05′55″ W)

Luis Munoz Marin International Airport

(Lat. 18°26′22″ N, long. 66°00′08″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface, to but not including 1,200 feet MSL, within a 3.9-mile radius of San Juan Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport and 1 mile each side of the 275° bearing from the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, extending from the 3.9-mile radius to 5.3 miles west of the airport; excluding that portion within the San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, PR, Class C airspace area. This Class D airspace area is effective during the dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air Missions. 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.

ASO PR E5 San Juan, PR [Amended]

Luis Munoz Marin International Airport

(Lat. 18°26′22″ N, long. 66°00′08″ W)

Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport

(Lat. 18°27′24″ N, long. 66°05′55″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface south of Lat. 18°23′00″ N, within a 17-mile radius of Luis Munoz International Airport and that airspace north of Lat. 18°23′00″ N, within a 13-mile radius of Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and 1 mile each side of the 275° bearing from the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, extending 2.5 miles west from the 13-mile radius point.