[Federal Register: August 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 154)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46754-46758]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11au05-5]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2004-18612; Airspace Docket No. 04-AWA-05]
RIN 2120-AA66
Modification of the Los Angeles Class B Airspace Area; CA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action modifies the Los Angeles (LAX), CA, Class B
airspace. Specifically, this action expands the eastern boundary of the
airspace to ensure containment of the LAX Standard Terminal Arrival
Routes (STAR), and correct the inefficiencies of several existing areas
identified during public meetings and Southern California TRACON (SCT)
reviews of the airspace. The FAA is taking this action to improve the
flow of air traffic, enhance safety, and reduce the potential for
midair collision in the LAX Class B airspace, while accommodating the
concerns of airspace users. Further, this effort supports the FAA's
national airspace redesign goal of optimizing terminal and en route
airspace to reduce aircraft delays and improve system capacity.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, December 22, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules,
Office of System Operations and Safety, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591;
telephone: (202) 267-8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 24, 2005, the FAA published in the Federal Register a
notice of proposed rulemaking to modify the LAX Class B airspace area
(70 FE 15022). The FAA proposed this action to improve several areas
where boundary locations and identification could be enhanced, and
modified several areas to ensure the containment of arrivals within the
LAX Class B airspace. Interested parties were invited to participate in
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal.
In response to the notice, the FAA received four written comments. All
comments received were considered before making a determination on the
final rule. An analysis of the comments received and the FAA's
responses are summarized in the ``Discussion of Comments'' section.
Discussion of Comments
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) cited the work of
the Southern California Airspace User Working Group (SCAUWG) and the
collaborative efforts of the FAA in developing this rule. They pointed
out that the overall modifications will prove beneficial to the general
aviation community and result in a reduction of approximately 100
square miles of existing Class B airspace.
The Airline Pilots Association, International endorsed the proposal
stating ``This is a significant improvement to the current Class B
airspace.''
The FAA agrees with these comments. The modifications will improve
the flow of air traffic, enhance safety, and reduce the potential for
midair collision in the LAX Class B airspace, while accommodating the
concerns of airspace users.
One commenter stated it would be helpful for General Aviation
pilots if the FAA reinstated (with multiple altitudes) a shoreline
transition, so that we don't have to lose Flight following to transit
LAX airspace, and then re-establish it on the other side. The commenter
stated, ``I think it would decrease the workload for both pilots and
controllers, and increase safety.''
The FAA agrees. In concert with the SCAUWG, the Shoreline Route has
been redesigned to allow uninterrupted transitions where pilots can
retain Flight Following at all times. This change should become
effective on or before the revised LAX Class B airspace becomes
effective.
One commenter suggested the FAA use approach and climb corridors,
and eliminate the need for taking 3000 square miles away from general
aviation to free an airport from traffic.
The FAA does not agree. If the FAA adopted a rule in which only
approach and climb corridors were used in the LAX Class B airspace, it
would result in a reduced air traffic control capability to maintain an
efficient flow of air traffic
[[Page 46755]]
into and out of LAX area airports. Most certainly, the use of corridors
alone would result in a drop in capacity in the LAX area because of the
different performance characteristics of the various aircraft flying
into and out of the area.
The Rule
This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Aviation Regulations
(14 CFR) part 71 to modify the LAX Class B airspace. Specifically, this
action expands the eastern boundary to ensure the containment of the
LAX STAR's within Class B airspace and reconfigures several existing
areas, correcting areas of inefficiencies identified during public
meeting and during reviews of the existing Class B airspace by SCT.
These modifications reduce the overall size of the LAX Class B
airspace, improve the containment of turbo-jet aircraft within the
airspace, and improve the alignment of lateral boundaries with VOR
radials and visual landmarks for improved VFR navigation. The following
are the revisions for each area of the LAX Class B airspace:
Area A: The east/west line along the northwestern boundary will be
aligned to the SMO 267 radial to provide redundant reference for VFR
navigation, and allow VFR aircraft to transition along the shoreline at
Point Dume.
Area B: No change.
Area C: The east/west and northwest/southeast lines along the
southern boundary will be aligned with the SLI 315 radial and PDZ 267
radial providing a redundant reference for VFR navigation.
Area D: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be
aligned with the PDZ 267 radial to provide redundant reference for VFR
navigation.
Area E: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be
aligned with the PDZ 267 radial, and the northern boundary aligned with
the SMO 086 radial. The eastern boundary will be aligned with the ELB
347 radial. This modification will align the eastern boundary with
existing VOR radials to provide redundant reference for VFR navigation,
and lowers the floor to 7000 feet, ensuring containment of aircraft
descending on the LAX profile.
Area F: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be
aligned with the with the PDZ 267 radial, and the northern boundary
aligned with the SMO 086 radial. The western boundary will be aligned
with Block E of the Class B airspace along the ELB 347 radial. The
eastern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 357 radial. These
modifications will align the boundaries with existing VOR radials
providing a redundant reference for VFR navigation, and lower the floor
to 8000 feet, ensuring containment of aircraft descending on the LAX
profile.
Area G: The east/west line along the southern boundary will be
aligned with the PDZ 267 radial, and the northern boundary aligned with
the SMO 086 radial. The western boundary will be aligned with Block F
along the ELB 357 radial. The eastern boundary will be aligned with the
ELB 007 radial, and the POM 127 radial. The modifications will align
the boundaries with existing VOR radials providing a redundant
reference for VFR navigation. This area will expand the existing LAX
Class B airspace slightly to ensure containment of aircraft descending
on the LAX profile.
Area H: The east/west and northwest/southeast lines along the
northern boundary will be aligned with the SLI 315 radial and PDZ 267
radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation.
Area I: The east/west line along the northern boundary will be
aligned with the PDZ 267 radial to provide a redundant reference for
VFR navigation.
Area J: The southern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 241
radial. The eastern boundary will be shortened to end at the ELB 241
radial. The western boundaries will be realigned to the LAX 142 radial
and the LGB extended runway 16R centerline. These modifications will
align the boundaries with existing VOR radials where possible,
providing a redundant reference for VFR navigation.
Area K: The southern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 263
radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation, and the
eastern boundary will be realigned with the LGB extended runway 16R
centerline.
Area L: The southern boundary will be aligned with the ELB 263
radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR navigation.
Area M: The northern boundaries will be aligned with the SMO 267
radial and VNY 235 radial to provide a redundant reference for VFR
navigation.
Area N: The western boundary will be aligned with the VNY 235
radial. The southern boundary aligned with the SMO 267 radial. These
modifications align the boundaries with existing VOR radials to provide
a redundant reference for VFR navigation.
Regulatory Evaluation Summary
Final Rule changes to Federal Regulations must undergo several
economic analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 directs that each
Federal agency shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned
determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its
costs. Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires agencies to
analyze the economic effect of regulatory changes on small entities.
Third, the Office of Management and Budget directs agencies to assess
the effect of regulatory changes on small entities changes on
international trade. In conducting these analyses, the FAA has
determined that this final rule: (1) Will generate benefits that
justify its minimal costs and is not ``a significant regulatory
action'' as defined in the Executive Order; (2) is not significant as
defined in the Department of Transportation's Regulatory Policies and
Procedures; (3) will not have a significant impact on a substantial
number of small entities; (4) will not constitute a barrier to
international trade; and (5) will not contain any Federal
intergovernmental or private sector mandate. These analyses are
summarized below in the docket.
This final rule will modify the Los Angeles, CA, Class B airspace.
The rule will expend the eastern boundary of the airspace, and alter
several existing airspace.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Determination
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) establishes ``as a
principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall endeavor,
consistent with the objective of the rule and of applicable statues, to
fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale of the
business, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions subject to
regulation.'' To achieve that principle, the RFA requires agencies to
solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain the
rationale for their actions. The RFA covers a wide-range of small
entities, including small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and
small governmental jurisdictions.
Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a proposed or
final rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. If the agency determines that it will, the
agency must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in
the RFA.
However, if an agency determines that a proposed or final rule is
not expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities, section 605(b) of the RFA provides that the
head of the agency may so certify and a regulatory flexibility analysis
is not required. The certification must include a statement
[[Page 46756]]
providing the factual basis for this determination, and the reasoning
should be clear.
The FAA has determined, since Class B airspace is already in place
in the LAX terminal area, and the modifications in this rule are not a
major expansion, but rather a contraction of Class B airspace, minimal
costs would result. Consequently, the FAA certifies that the rule will
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
aircraft manufacturers.
International Trade Impact Assessment
The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 prohibits Federal agencies from
establishing any standards or engaging in related activities that
create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United
States. Legitimate domestic objectives, such as safety, are not
considered unnecessary obstacles. The statute also requires
consideration of international standards and, where appropriate, that
they be the basis for U.S. standards.
The FAA has assessed the potential effect of this final rule and
determined that it will have only a domestic impact and thefore no
effect on any trade-sensitive activity.
Unfunded Mandates Assessment
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (the Act) is intended,
among other things, to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal
mandates on State, local, and tribal governments. Title II of the Act
requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement assessing
the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final agency rule
that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more (adjusted
annually for inflation) in any one year by State, local, and tribal
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate
is deemed to be a ``significant regulatory action.'' The FAA currently
uses an inflation-adjusted value of $120.7 million in lieu of $100
million.
This final rule does not contain such a mandate. The requirements
of Title II do not apply.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-
511), there are no requirements for information collection associated
with this action.
Conclusion
In view of the minimal or zero cost of compliance of this action
and the enhancements to operational efficiency, the FAA has determined
that this action would be cost-beneficial.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Amendment
0
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
0
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 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 289.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
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 3000 Subpart B--Class B Airspace.
* * * * *
AWP CA B Los Angeles, CA [Revised]
Los Angeles International Airport (Primary Airport)
(lat. 33[deg]56'55'' N., long. 118[deg]24'49'' W.)
Area A. That airspace extending upward from the surface to 10,000 feet
MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]59'50'' N., long. 118[deg]44'43'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]00'23'' N., long. 118[deg]32'33'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]57'42'' N., long. 118[deg]27'23'' W. Ballone Creek/Pacific
Ocean
Lat. 33[deg]57'42'' N., long. 118[deg]22'10'' W. Manchester/405 Fwy
Lat. 34[deg]01'00'' N., long. 118[deg]15'00'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]55'48'' N., long. 118[deg]13'52'' W. SLI 315 12.4 DME
Lat. 33[deg]55'51'' N., long. 118[deg]26'05'' W. Imperial Hwy/Pacific
Ocean
Lat. 33[deg]45'34'' N., long. 118[deg]27'01'' W. LIMBO intersection
Lat. 33[deg]45'14'' N., long. 118[deg]32'29'' W. INISH intersection
to point of beginning.
Area B. That airspace extending upward from 2,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 34[deg]01'00'' N., long. 118[deg]15'00'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]00'01'' N., long. 118[deg]07'58'' W. Garfield/Washington
Blvd
Lat. 33[deg]56'10'' N., long. 118[deg]07'21'' W. Stonewood Center
Lat. 33[deg]55'48'' N., long. 118[deg]13'52'' W. SLI 315 12.4 DME
to point of beginning.
Area C. That airspace extending upward from 2,500 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 34[deg]57'42'' N., long. 118[deg]22'10'' W. Manchester/405 Fwy
Lat. 34[deg]00'20'' N., long. 118[deg]23'05'' W. West Los Angeles
College
Lat. 34[deg]02'49'' N., long. 118[deg]21'48'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]06'00'' N., long. 118[deg]14'24'' W. Railroad Freight Yard
Lat. 34[deg]06'00'' N., long. 118[deg]11'23'' W. Ernest E. Debs Regional
Park
Lat. 34[deg]02'03'' N., long. 118[deg]03'39'' W. Legg Lake
Lat. 33[deg]58'40'' N., long. 118[deg]01'49'' W. Whittier College
Lat. 33[deg]53'44'' N., long. 118[deg]01'52'' W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME
Lat. 33[deg]53'17'' N., long. 118[deg]10'50'' W. Dominguez High School
Lat. 33[deg]55'48'' N., long. 118[deg]13'52'' W. SLI 315 12.4 DME
Lat. 33[deg]56'10'' N., long. 118[deg]07'21'' W. Stonewood Center
Lat. 34[deg]00'01'' N., long. 118[deg]07'58'' W. Garfield/Washington
Blvd
Lat. 34[deg]01'00'' N., long. 118[deg]15'00'' W.
to point of beginning.
Area D. That airspace extending upward from 4,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
[[Page 46757]]
Lat. 34[deg]06'00'' N., long. 118[deg]11'23'' W. Ernest E. Bebs Regional
Park
Lat. 34[deg]00'45'' N., long. 117[deg]54'03'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]57'40'' N., long. 117[deg]53'35'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]54'04'' N., long. 117[deg]54'35'' W. Brea Municipal Golf
Course
Lat. 33[deg]53'44'' N., long. 118[deg]01'52'' W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME
Lat. 33[deg]58'40'' N., long. 118[deg]01'49'' W. Whittier College
Lat. 34[deg]02'03'' N., long. 118[deg]03'39'' W. Legg Lake
to point of beginning.
Area E. That airspace extending upward from 7,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]54'00'' N., long. 117[deg]54'35'' W. Brea Municipal Golf
Course
Lat. 33[deg]54'23'' N., long. 117[deg]47'42'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]02'42'' N., long. 117[deg]50'00'' W. Mt. San Antonio College
Lat. 34[deg]02'22'' N., long. 117[deg]59'23'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]02'22'' N., long. 117[deg]59'23'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]00'45'' N., long. 117[deg]54'03'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]57'40'' N., long. 117[deg]53'35'' W.
to point of beginning.
Area F. That airspace extending upward from 8,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]54'23'' N., long. 117[deg]47'42'' W. PDZ 267 ELB 347
Lat. 33[deg]54'31'' N., long. 117[deg]44'45'' W. PDZ 267 ELB 357
Lat. 34[deg]02'57'' N., long. 117[deg]45'16'' W. SMO 086 ELB 357
Lat. 34[deg]02'42'' N., long. 117[deg]50'00'' W. SMO 086 Mt. San Antonio
College
to point of beginning.
Area G. That airspace extending upward from 9,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]54'31'' N., long. 117[deg]44'45'' W. PDZ 267 ELB 357
Lat. 33[deg]54'39'' N., long. 117[deg]41'48'' W. PDZ 267 ELB 007
Lat. 34[deg]00'44'' N., long. 117[deg]40'54'' W. ELB 007 POM 127
Lat. 34[deg]02'59'' N., long. 117[deg]44'29'' W. SMO 086 POM 127
Lat. 34[deg]02'57'' N., long. 117[deg]45'16'' W. SMO 086 ELB 357
to point of beginning.
Area H. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]53'44'' N., long. 118[deg]01'52'' W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME
Lat. 33[deg]47'00'' N., long. 118[deg]03'17'' W. Seal Beach VORTAC Los
Alamitos AFRC
Lat. 33[deg]46'40'' N., long. 118[deg]08'53'' W. SLI 266 4.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]45'34'' N., long. 118[deg]27'01'' W. LIMBO Intersection
Lat. 33[deg]55'51'' N., long. 118[deg]26'05'' W. Imperial Hwy/Pacific
Ocean
Lat. 33[deg]55'48'' N., long. 118[deg]13'52'' W. SLI 315 12.4 DME
Lat. 33[deg]53'17'' N., long. 118[deg]10'50'' W. Dominguez High School
to point of beginning.
Area I. That airspace extending upward from 6,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]54'04'' N., long. 117[deg]54'35'' W. Brea Municipal Golf
Course
Lat. 33[deg]47'23'' N., long. 117[deg]57'40'' W. Garden Grove Mall
Lat. 33[deg]47'00'' N., long. 118[deg]03'17'' W. Seal Beach VORACT/Los
Alamitos AFRC
Lat. 33[deg]53'44'' N., long. 118[deg]01'52'' W. PDZ 267 25.1 DME
to point of beginning.
Area J. That airspace extending upward from 7,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]47'23'' N., long. 117[deg]57'40'' W. Garden Grove Mall
Lat. 33[deg]35'52'' N., long. 117[deg]53'59'' W. Newport Bay/ELB 241 9.7
DME
Lat. 33[deg]31'34'' N., long. 118[deg]03'11'' W. ELB 241 18.5 DME
Lat. 33[deg]37'56'' N., long. 118[deg]09'04'' W. LAX 142 22.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]46'56'' N., long. 118[deg]08'53'' W. SLI 266 4.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]47'00'' N., long. 118[deg]03'17'' W. Seal Beach VORTAC/Los
Alamitos AFRC
to point of beginning.
Area K. That airspace extending upward from 8,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]37'56'' N., long. 118[deg]09'04'' W. LAX 142 22.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]36'09'' N., long. 118[deg]25'38'' W. ELB 263 35.1 DME
Lat. 33[deg]45'34'' N., long. 118[deg]27'01'' W. LIMBO Intersection
Lat. 33[deg]46'40'' N., long. 118[deg]08'53'' W. SLI 266 4.7 DME
to point of beginning.
Area L. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]36'09'' N., long. 118[deg]25'38'' W. ELB 263 35.1 DME
Lat. 33[deg]35'11'' N., long. 118[deg]34'31'' W. ELB 263 42.6 DME
Lat. 33[deg]44'27'' N., long. 118[deg]42'23'' W. SLI 266 32.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]45'14'' N., long. 118[deg]32'29'' W. INISH Intersection
Lat. 33[deg]45'34'' N., long. 118[deg]27'01'' W. LIMBO Intersection
to point of beginning.
Area M. That airspace extending upward from 2,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]44'27'' N., long. 118[deg]42'23'' W. SLI 266 32.7 DME
Lat. 33[deg]58'48'' N., long. 118[deg]54'27'' W. VNY 235 25.3 DME
Lat. 33[deg]59'26'' N., long. 118[deg]53'23'' W. VNY 235 SMO 267
Lat. 33[deg]59'50'' N., long. 118[deg]44'43'' W.
Lat. 33[deg]45'14'' N., long. 118[deg]32'29'' W. INISH Intersection
[[Page 46758]]
to point of beginning.
Area N. That airspace extending upward from 5,000 feet MSL to and
including 10,000 feet MSL beginning at
Lat. 33[deg]59'26'' N., long. 118[deg]53'23'' W. VNY 235 24.2 DME
Lat. 34[deg]06'00'' N., long. 118[deg]42'12'' W. VNY 235 12.9 DME
Lat. 34[deg]06'00'' N., long. 118[deg]14'24'' W. Railroad Freight Yard
Lat. 34[deg]02'49'' N., long. 118[deg]21'48'' W.
Lat. 34[deg]00'20'' N., long. 118[deg]23'05'' W. West Los Angeles
College
Lat. 33[deg]57'42'' N., long. 118[deg]22'10'' W. Manchester/405 Fwy
Lat. 33[deg]57'42'' N., long. 118[deg]27'23'' W. Ballona Creek/Pacific
Ocean
Lat. 34[deg]00'23'' N., long. 118[deg]32'33'' W. SMO 267 4.3 DME
Lat. 33[deg]59'50'' N., long. 118[deg]44'43'' W.
to point of beginning.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington DC, on August 4, 2005.
Edith V. Parish,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules.
[FR Doc. 05-15855 Filed 8-10-05:8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M