Section 1. Introduction

1. PURPOSE OF THIS ORDER

1. This order prescribes policy, criteria, guidelines, and procedures applicable to the System Operations Services; Mission Support Services; Aeronautical Information Services; Technical Operations Services; Technical Operations Spectrum Engineering Services Group/Spectrum Assignment and Engineering Team; Technical Operations Technical Services; the Office of Airport Planning and Programming, (APP); the Office of Airport Safety and Standards, (AAS); Airports District Office (ADO); and the Flight Standards Service.
2. While this order provides procedures for handling airspace matters, additional procedures and criteria to supplement those contained herein may be set forth in other directives and should be consulted.

1. AUDIENCE

1. This order applies to all ATO personnel and anyone using ATO directives.
2. This order also applies to all regional, Service Centers, Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) Service Providers, and field organizational elements involved in rulemaking and nonrulemaking actions associated with airspace allocation and utilization, obstruction evaluation, obstruction marking and lighting, airport airspace analysis, and the management of air navigation aids. States that participate in the State Block Grant Program (SBGP) assist the Office of Airport Safety and Standards in these actions, but the overall responsibility remains with the Office of Airports. Participating states include Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

1. WHERE TO FIND THIS ORDER

This order is available on the FAA's Air Traffic Plans and Publications website at
http://faa.gov/air_traffic/publications and Orders & Notices website at
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices/.

1. WHAT THIS ORDER CANCELS

FAA Order JO 7400.2N, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters, dated June 17, 2021, and all changes to it are canceled.

1. CHANGE AUTHORITY

The Director of Policy (AJV-P) will issue changes to this directive after obtaining concurrence from the affected Headquarters offices/services/service units on the cover of this order.

1. EXPLANATION OF CHANGES

1. The significant changes to this order are identified in the Explanation of Changes page(s). It is advisable to retain the page(s) throughout the duration of the basic order.
2. If further information is desired, please direct questions through the appropriate facility/service area/regional office to the headquarters office of primary responsibility.

1. SUBMISSION CUTOFF AND EFFECTIVE DATES

This order and its changes are scheduled to be published to coincide with AIRAC dates. However, due to the infrequent nature of changes submitted for this order, publishing may be postponed.

1. DELIVERY DATES

This order will be available on the FAA website 30 days prior to its effective date.

1. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROCEDURAL CHANGES

1. The responsibility for processing and coordinating revisions to this order is delegated to the Rules and Regulations Group Manager.
2. Proposed changes or recommended revisions must be submitted, in writing, to the Rules and Regulations Group. The proposal should include a description of the change or revision, the language to be inserted in the order, and the rationale for the change or revision.
3. The Rules and Regulations Group will review and revise proposed changes as necessary and submit supported proposals to Policy (AJV-P). When appropriate, the Rules and Regulations Group may convene a workgroup for this purpose. Composition of the workgroup will be determined by the subject matter and the expertise required. The Rules and Regulations Group is responsible for the selection of the members of the workgroup, and for appointing the chairperson of the group.
4. The Policy directorate is responsible for ensuring all approved revisions are published.
5. When revised, reprinted, or additional pages are issued, they will be marked as follows:

1. Each revised or added page will show the change number and effective date of the change.
2. Bold vertical lines in the margin of the text will mark the location of substantive procedural, operational, or policy changes (for example, when material that affects the performance of duty is added, revised, or deleted).

1. REQUESTS FOR INTERPRETATIONS OR CLARIFICATIONS TO THIS ORDER

1. Interpretation and clarification requests from field air traffic personnel or Service Center personnel must be submitted as follows:

1. The request must be submitted, in writing, by an Air Traffic Facility ATM/general manager, or Service Center Group Manager to their Service Area Director or Service Center Director. All requests must include:

1. A point of contact to direct any follow-up questions to;
2. The complete title and number of the paragraph in question, a clear and concise statement of the issue creating the interpretation or clarification request, and any relevant background information.

1. The Service Area Director/Service Center Director must review the request and determine if more than one interpretation of the meaning and/or intent of the language can be inferred.
2. If the Service Area Director/Service Center Director determines that an interpretation is required, submit the request, in writing, to the Policy Directorate at 9-AJV-P-HQ-Correspondence@faa.gov, for a response.

1. Interpretation and clarification requests from other ATO or FAA offices or entities/agencies outside the FAA must be submitted, in writing, to the Policy Directorate at 9-AJV-P-HQ-Correspondence@faa.gov. The request must include:

1. Requester's contact information including name, entity/agency, phone number, and e-mail address;
2. The complete title and number of the paragraph in question, a clear and concise statement of the issue creating the interpretation or clarification request, and any relevant background information.

1. DISTRIBUTION

This order is distributed electronically to all who subscribe to receive email notifications through FAA's website. All organizations are responsible for viewing, downloading, and subscribing to receive email notifications when changes occur to this order. Subscriptions to air traffic directives can be made through the Air Traffic Plans and Publications website at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ or directly via the following link:https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USAFAA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USAFAA_39

1. SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Every employee is responsible for ensuring the safety of equipment and procedures used in the provision of services within the National Airspace System (NAS).

1. Risk assessment techniques and mitigations, as appropriate, are intended for implementation of any planned safety significant changes within the NAS, as directed by FAA Order 1100.161, Air Traffic Safety Oversight.
2. Direction regarding the Safety Management System and its application can be found in the Air Traffic Organization Safety Management System Manual; FAA Order JO 1000.37, Air Traffic Organization Safety Management System; and FAA Order 1100.161, Air Traffic Safety Oversight.