[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49720-49721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20139]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2011-1429; Airspace Docket No. 11-AAL-22]
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Chenega Bay, AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at Chenega Bay, AK,
to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global
Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at
Chenega Bay Airport. This improves the safety and management of
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.
DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, November15, 2012. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and
publication of conforming amendments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA, 98057; telephone (425) 203-4517.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On May 29, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish controlled airspace at
Chenega Bay, AK (77 FR 31548). Interested parties were invited to
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on
the proposal to the FAA. The FAA received one comment from the National
Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
The NBAA recommended that the FAA lower some of the adjacent Class
E airspace down to 1,200 feet above the surface to increase the
efficiency of radar vectoring in the area.
[[Page 49721]]
The FAA believes that lowering this airspace is outside the scope
of this rulemaking action and would not serve the immediate purpose of
establishing the airspace necessary for the safety of aircraft within
the Chenega Bay, airport area.
Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005, of
FAA Order 7400.9V dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15,
2011, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E
airspace designations listed in this document will be published
subsequently in that Order.
The Rule
This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 71 by establishing Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet
above the surface, at Chenega Bay Airport, to accommodate IFR aircraft
executing new RNAV (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at the
airport. This action is necessary for the safety and management of IFR
operations.
The FAA has determined this regulation only involves an established
body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments
are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this
regulation: (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 air navigation, it is
certified this rule, when promulgated, will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The FAA's authority to
issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the U.S.
Code. Subtitle 1, Section 106 discusses the authority of the FAA
Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the agency's authority. This rulemaking is
promulgated under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A,
Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the FAA is charged with
prescribing regulations to assign the use of airspace necessary to
ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace. This
regulation is within the scope of that authority as it establishes
controlled airspace at Chenega Bay Airport, AK.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action is not expected to
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an
environmental assessment.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
Adoption of the Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 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 14 CFR 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. 389.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9V, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15,
2011 is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700
feet or more above the surface of the earth.
* * * * *
AAL AK E5 Chenega Bay, AK [New]
Chenega Bay Airport, AK
(Lat. 60[deg]04'43'' N., long. 147[deg]59'41'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 2-mile radius of the Chenega Bay Airport, and that airspace
beginning at the intersection of the 2-mile radius of the airport
and 170[deg] bearing of Chenega Bay Airport to lat. 60[deg]02'17''
N., long. 147[deg]39'07'' W.; to lat. 60[deg]05'06'' N., long.
147[deg]28'33'' W.; to lat. 60[deg]11'41'' N., long. 147[deg]37'16''
W.; thence to the intersection of the 2-mile radius of Chenega Bay
Airport and 353[deg] bearing of the airport.
Issued in Seattle, Washington, on August 6, 2012.
John Warner,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2012-20139 Filed 8-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P