[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 11, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55691-55692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22270]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0539; Airspace Docket No. 12-ANM-10]
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Circle Town, MT
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at Circle Town County
Airport, Circle Town, MT to accommodate aircraft using new Area
Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument
approach procedures at Circle Town County Airport. This improves the
safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at
the airport.
DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, November 15, 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: Eldon Taylor, Federal Aviation
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4537.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On July 5, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish controlled airspace at
Circle Town, MT (77 FR 39651). 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 the FAA lower some of the adjacent Class E
airspace extending upward from 14,500 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) to the
east, south and west of the airport down to 1,200 feet above the
surface to accommodate orderly en route descent into the airport. The
NBAA is also concerned that the Minimum Instrument Flight Rules
Altitude (MIA) outside the 1,200 feet above the surface would affect
air traffic services into the airport. Finally, the commenter points
out that extending the Class E 1,200-foot area would provide relief to
Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC).
The FAA believes that lowering this airspace is outside the scope
of this rulemaking at this time, and would not serve the immediate
purpose of establishing the airspace necessary for the safety of
aircraft within the Circle Town, MT, 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 Circle Town County 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 Circle Town County Airport, Circle Town, MT.
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.
* * * * *
[[Page 55692]]
ANM MT E5 Circle Town, MT [New]
Circle Town County Airport
(Lat. 47[deg]25'06'' N., long. 105[deg]33'39'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within 12.1-mile radius of the Circle Town County Airport; that
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface bounded
by a line beginning at lat. 47[deg]59'00'' N., long. 106[deg]16'00''
W.; to lat. 47[deg]49'00'' N., long. 105[deg]59'00'' W.; to lat.
47[deg]49'00'' N., long. 105[deg]24'00'' W.; to lat. 47[deg]40'00''
N., long. 105[deg]26'00'' W.; to lat. 47[deg]25'00'' N., long.
105[deg]00'00'' W.; to lat. 47[deg]05'00'' N., long. 105[deg]25'00''
W., to lat. 47[deg]22'00'' N., long. 106[deg]06'00'' W.; to lat.
47[deg]27'00'' N., long. 106[deg]17'00'' W.; to lat. 47[deg]50'00''
N., long. 106[deg]26'00'' W.; thence to the point of origin.
Issued in Seattle, Washington on August 30, 2012.
Steven L. Vale,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2012-22270 Filed 9-10-12; 8:45 am]
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