Overview
Title
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Tarboro, NC
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FAA is changing a flying area around Tarboro, North Carolina, to make it a bit bigger so that helicopters can safely fly there; they're doing this because it helps pilots see where they're going better.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a rule that modifies the Class E airspace near Tarboro, North Carolina. The change increases the radius of this airspace from 6.5 miles to 6.9 miles to include the ECU Health Edgecombe Heliport. This update also adjusts the coordinates for Tarboro-Edgecombe Airport to ensure flight safety and improve the management of instrument flight rules operations in the area. This amendment was published without public comments and is not expected to have any significant economic or environmental impact.
Abstract
This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface by increasing the radius to 6.9 miles (previously 6.5 miles) to encompass ECU Health Edgecombe Heliport, Tarboro. This action also updates the coordinates to reflect the most current and accurate location for Tarboro Edgecombe Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
General Summary
The recent publication from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the Federal Register outlines a modification to the Class E airspace surrounding Tarboro, North Carolina. This change involves an increase in the airspace radius from 6.5 miles to 6.9 miles, which is intended to include the ECU Health Edgecombe Heliport. Additionally, the update aligns the coordinates of the Tarboro-Edgecombe Airport to the most current data, with the overarching goal of enhancing the safety and management of instrument flight operations.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Several matters emerge from the document that merit further clarification:
Regulatory Significance: The document asserts that the rule is not a "significant regulatory action" as per Executive Order 12866. However, it lacks a comprehensive explanation for this classification, raising transparency concerns about the decision-making process.
Access to Reference Materials: The FAA incorporates by reference certain technical documents, specifically FAA Order JO 7400.11J. The document itself does not directly link or provide easy access to these materials, potentially limiting the ability of the public to fully understand the specific updates being enacted.
Environmental Assessment: While the environmental section mentions a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act, it does not elaborate on specific criteria or justification for this decision, which could help the public comprehend the environmental implications or the lack thereof.
Complexity and Accessibility: The legal jargon and references to specific regulations may present comprehension challenges for individuals not typically engaged with aviation-specific legal terms, suggesting the value of a simplified summary or layman’s explanation.
Impact on the Public Broadly
Overall, the rule seems to have limited direct impact on the general public, primarily involving internal adjustments to aviation procedures that enhance flight safety over Tarboro. These adjustments are unlikely to introduce significant disruptions or enhancements to everyday life for most residents or travelers.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Aviation Industry: Pilots and other airspace users operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) in the Tarboro area will benefit from clarified and accurately defined airspace boundaries, contributing to safer and more efficient flight operations.
Local Community: By fostering safer airspace management, local law enforcement and emergency health services, especially operations involving the ECU Health Edgecombe Heliport, may see improvements in aviation reliability which indirectly support these critical services.
Environmental and Regulatory Oversight Bodies: Although the document suggests no significant environmental impact, clarity deficits in the exclusion designation might raise concerns for stakeholders focused on environmental protection and policy transparency.
In essence, the document underscores an important procedural update that aids in aviation safety but may also benefit from enhanced transparency and accessibility to ensure broader public understanding and engagement.
Issues
• The document states that the action is not a 'significant regulatory action' under Executive Order 12866. However, the rationale for this determination could be explained in more detail to ensure transparency.
• The document mentions the incorporation by reference of FAA Order JO 7400.11J but does not provide easy access to this document or full visibility of the changes being made. Providing more context or direct access to these changes might improve clarity.
• The environmental review section states that the action qualifies for categorical exclusion but does not provide specific reasons or criteria for this determination, which might be beneficial for readers to understand the decision process.
• The language used to describe amendments to airspace regulations and the legal references (e.g., 49 U.S.C. 106) might be complex for those not familiar with aviation regulations, suggesting a need for a simplified explanation or a summary.