I 38962 Federal Register. / Vol. 57, No. 167 / Thursday, August 27, 1992 / Rul~s and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Under the-amended part 71 effective Discussion of the· Amendments and September 15. 1993. positive control Public COmments Federal Aviation Administration areas (PCAs), iet routes. and area bigh . routes are classified as Class A airspace This final rule is·ba'sed on NPRM No. 14 CFR Part 71 areas; TCAs are classified as Class B 92-5 [57 FR 18954; May·l. 1992). The rule (Docket No. 26852j Amendment No. 71-16) airspace areas; ARSAs are classified as amends part 71 by revising all control Class C airspace areas; control zones zones and transition areas as well as RIN 2120-AE18 and airport traffic Breas for airports specific TCAs and ARSAs described in with operating control towers that are FAA Order 7400.7, Cl:;)mpilatipn of Terminal Airspace Reconfiguration not associated with the primary airport Regulations, effective November 1, 1991 AGENCY: Federal Aviation of a TCA or an ARSA are classified as' ["Handbook"), which is incorporated by Administration [FAA), DOT. Class D airspace areas; all other reference in 14 CFR 71.1. This final rule controlled airspace areas are classified also modifies the corresponding Class B, ACTION: Final rule. as Class E airspace areas; and airspace Class C, Class D, and Class E airspace SUMMARY: This final rule amends the that is not otherwise designated as a descriptions in FAA Order 7400.9, Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) by controlled airspace area is classified as Airspace Reclassification, effective revising all control zones and transition Class G airspace. Seplember 16, 1993, which is also areas and specific terminal control areas The implementation of the Airspace incorporated by reference in 14 eFR (TeAs) and airport radar service areas Reclassification final rule includes 71.1. When the Airspace Reclassification (ARSAs). The revisions will modify the reviews of certain existing airspace final rule becomes effective on lateral and vertical dimensions of the areas to ensure that they meet the neW September 16,1993. each airspace control zones and transition areas; airspace classifications. The reviews of description in section 171 of FAA revise Hie lateral dimension of the certain existing airspace areas focus on Handbook 7400.7 will be changed as surface area of the Anchorage, Alaska control zones, transition areas, and foUaws: (1) Deleted, if a control zone is ARSA; lower the ceiling of the Chicago. offshore airspace. The first of these a.sociated with a TcAor an ARSA; (2) Midway Airport. Illinois ARSA so it reviews, which is addressed in this redesignated as a Class D airspace area, does not overlap the Chicago, O'Hare amendment. focuses on control zones if a control zone is at an airport with an International Airport TCA; replace the and transition areas. Soon to be operating control tower that is not El Toro, California Special Air Traffic published, the Notice of Proposed associated with a TCA or an ARSA; or Rules Area with a Class D airspace- Rulemaking (NPR."I) entitled "Offshore (3) redesignated as a Class E airspace . area; and modify the names and the' Airspace Reconfiguration; Additional ~rea, if a control zone is at an airport . language i,n the airspace descriptions of . Control Areas; Continental Control without an operating control tower. On . specific TCAs and ARSAs. This Area; Area·Low Routes; Control Are8~ the same date, ~ach airspace description amendment will ease the conversion Associated with let Routes Outside the in sections 161, 401, and 501 of FAA from existing control zones and Continental Control Area; Reporting' Handbook 7400.7 will be redesignated transition areas to the new airspace Points; Flushing [New York) Airport as Class E, Class B, and Class C. designations established under the Traffic Rule; and Valparaiso, Florida airspa.ce areas, respectively. These Airspace Reclassification fmal rule, Tenninal Area," will address offshore changes are based on a review of each which is effective September 16, 1993, airspace and any supplementary control zone and transition area using and is consistent with the primary airspace matters. The FAA expects that the revised criteria in Change 4 to FAA intention of airspace reclassification to­ the proposals in this subsequent NPRM, Order 7400.2C, Procedures for Handling simplify airspace designations., If promulgated, would be effective no Airspace Matters~ .. EFFECTIVE DATES: The amendment to later than Septem.ber 16,1993. the· These changes supersede the listings § 71.1, which is. currently in effect, effective da.te of the Airspace in subparts F, G, K, and L of Handbook becomes effective October 15,1992. The' Reclassification final rule. 7400.7. and subparts B,.C. D, and section amendment to § 71.1, which is effective Because this amendment is issued 71.71(b), subpart E, of Handbook 7400.9. after the publication of the Airspace The descriptions of control zones, September 16, 1993, becomes effective Recla~sification September 16, 1993. final rule, but before the transition areas, terminal control areas, effective date of September 16,1993. _ and airport radar service areas as FOR FURTHER INFORMATIOH CONTACT: both existing and future terminologies amended by this rule will be published Mr. William M. Mosley, Air Traffic are used. The actual airspace area in a supplement to the Handbook Rules Branch, ATP-230, Federal. descriptions a~e the same whether the [Handbook 7400.7-Supplement). Aviation Administration, 800 aIrspace area ~s called: (~) A control The control zones and transition areas Independence Avenue SW., z?ne and.an airport tr~ffIc area for an addressed in this final rule are classified Washington, DC 20591. telephone 202- alrp~rt With an ~peratm~ control tower into four basic categories: 267-9251. that IS not associated With the primary . / SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: airport of a TCA or an ARSA [current (1) Control zones for the pnmary terminology), or a Class D airspace area aIrports pf TeAs or ~SAs; . Background (future terminology); (2) a control zone (2) Contr?l zones for a,rports WIth On December 17, 1991, Ihe final rule for an airport without an operating operatmg control towers not for Airspace Reclassification was control tower (current terminology) or a associated with the primary airports published [56 FR 65638). The new Class E airspace area (future ofTCAs or ARSAs; . airspace classes are effective September terminology); or (3) a transition aroa (3) Control zones for airports without. 16, 1993. The final rule amends Federal (current terminology) or a Class E operating control towers; and Aviation Regulations (FAR) part 71 [14 airspace area (future terminology). (4) Transition areas. CFR part 71) to reclassify U.s. airspace These reviews do not change any . in accordance with the airspace classes requirements for operalions under visual Comments to Docket Number 28852 adopted by the International Civil . flight rules [VFR) or instrument flight . Four comments on the NPRM were Aviation Organization (ICAO). rules (IFR).· submitted to. Docket Number 26852. - Federal Register I Vol. 57,' No. 167 I Thursday; August 27, 1992 I Rules and Regulations 38963 These comments were by the Air Line airpo"rt and airport traffic pattern." The operations under VFR and IFR near an Pilots Association (ALPAj, the . commenters believe that pilots andlair airport are conducted safely. Experimental Aircraft Association traffic controlters will experience The airport traffic area requirements (EAA), and two individuals. No increased workloads and unwarranted ensure that a pilot and air traffic control comments were submitted to the FAA radio congestion if pilots who are establish two-way radio communication regions. operating under VFR. neither within the in the vicinity of an airport with an EAA and ALPA concur with the airport traffic pattern nOf departing or operating control tower. With the proposal. The two individuals oppose arriving at the airport. must exception of those areas described in certain provisions of the NPRM..The communicate with air traffic control. part 93, "Special Air Traffic Rules and issues addressed by the commenters The commenters state that the Airport Traffic Patterns," an airport inchlde the education of the pilot requirement for two·way radio traffic area is defined in part 1 of the community and the integration of airport communication in Class D airspace FAR as "that airspace within a traffic areas and. control zones into areas could be a detriment to safety. For horizontal radius of 5 statute miles from Class D airspace areas. example. each commenter notes the geographical center of any airport at instances when he was not able to Pilot Education . communicate important and timely which a control tower is operating. EAA expresses concern about information to an air traffic controller in extending from the surface up to. but not educating pilots on Airspace a tower facility. In these instances. including. an altitude of 3.000 feet above Reclassification. EAA indicates that it pilots operating under VFR outside of the elevation of the airport." Airport will participate in pilot education. As the airport traffic area in activities not traffic areas are not depicted on part of EAA's participation in the related to or affecting the airport traffic aeronautical charts and will cease to Aviation Rulemaking AdVisory pattern. airport departures. or airport exist after September 16. 1993. Committee, EAA will distribute arrivals was attempting to establish A control zone ensures that aircraft information through publications, . two-way radio communication with air arriving at an airport under lFR remain documents, and safety forums to aid the traffic contralto fly through airspace within controlled airspac~ when an transition to the new airspace beyond the perimeter of the airport instrument approach procedure could classifications. traffic area. place lhat aircraft within 1,000 feet The FAA commends EAA's The commenters also state that pilot above the surface. A control zone also commitment to pilot education.