Avalon Army Intelligence Division

Airspace Change to R-4807A and R-4808N

The apparent main thrust to the change was to take a small portion of the highly restricted airspace (R-4808N) over the west portion of the Nevada Test Site (near the Yucca Mountain area) and transfer it into a slightly less restricted area to the west, known as R-4807A on civilian airspace charts. This is only of minor interest to us "losers who are fascinated with Area 51 and its environs."  What makes this really interesting is that the change was made at the same time as R-4907A.  This section is a very large piece of land.  It runs between the Tonopah Test Range and the NTS and Groom restricted airspaces, from Highway 95 on the west, to almost Highway 375 on the east.  Pahute Mesa is beneath this airspace, as well as Gold Flat and Kawich Valley.

With the exception of certain special approvals, this airspace has been off-limits to civilian aircraft 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  As a result of this change, outlined in the attachment below, it is only restricted from 6:00AM Monday to 7:00PM Friday.  The military, of course, has the right to restrict it at other times for training, but they have to issue a "Notice to Airmen" about it in advance.

This move strongly suggests that there isn't anything secret in, or more precisely under, this area.


[Federal Register: April 27, 1995 (Volume 60, Number 81)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 20625-20626]

>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 73

[Airspace Docket No. 94-AWP-17]

Realignment of Restricted Areas R-4807A, Tonopah and R-4808N, Las Vegas, NV

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.


SUMMARY: This action realigns the common boundary between Restricted Areas R-4807A, Tonopah, NV, and R-4808N, Las Vegas, NV, located within the Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) Range Complex.  R-4807A is increased by 128 square miles on its eastern boundary and R-4808N is correspondingly reduced by the same amount.  There are no changes to the designated altitudes for either R-4807A or R-4808N.  Because R-4807A is a joint-use restricted area, this action will increase the airspace available for civil ise when the area is released to the controlling agency.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, July 20, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jim Robinson, Military Operations Program Office (ATM-420).  Office of Air Traffic System Management, Federal Avaitaion Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 492-4050.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Rule

This amemdment to part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations realigns the common boundary between Restricted Areas R-4807A and R-4808N within the Nellis AFB.  The purpose of this action is to enhance airspace utilization and allow better use of existing electronic warfare threat simulators in the area of R-4807A known as EC South (ECS).  The expansion of R-4807A will support the same type of missions currently flown in the existing ECS airspace.

This amendment realigns the common boundary between two existing resrticted areas, reduces the time of designation for R-4807A, and does not establish any new restricted airspace.  Therefore, the notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary because this action is a minor technical amendment in which public is not particularly interested.  Section 73.48 of part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations was republished in FAA Order 7400.8B dated March 9, 1994.

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 ari navigation, it tis certified that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

An environmental assessment was conducted in accordance with United States Air Force (USAF) regulations and resulted in a categorial exclusion (CATEX) determination by the USAF.  This action is a minor adjsutment to the internal boundaries of adjacent restricted areas, without changing the outer limits of the restricted airspace complex as a whole, and a reduction in the time of use for R-4807A.  This action is not subject to environmental assessments and procedures under FAA Order 1050.1D, "Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts," and the National Environmental Policy Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

Airspace, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 73 as follows: [[Page 20626]]

Part 73--[AMENDED]

1.  The authority citation for part 73 continues as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. app. 1348(a), 1354(a), 1510, 1522; E.O.

10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g);

14 CFR 11.69.

Sec. 73.48 is amended as follows:

R-4807A Tonopah, NV [Amended]

R-4808N Las Vegas, NV [Amemded]

Issued in Washington, DC, on April 14, 1995.

Nancy B. Kalinowski,

Acting Manager, Airspace-Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.

[FR Doc. 95-10388 Filed 4-26-95; 8:45 am]

BILING CODE 4910-13-M


I had purposely left out the exact airspace resize coordcinates.  I didn't feel as though it was that important to know the them.  However, in case you would like to see them, see the source list below.

Sources:
    http://www.serve.com/mahood/nellis/