[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18312-18313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9835]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-ANM-15]


Revocation of Class E Airspace; Blue Mesa, CO; and Establishment 
of Class E Airspace; Gunnison, CO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revokes the Class E airspace at Blue Mesa, CO, and 
establishes a larger Class E airspace area in its place, which is 
designated the Gunnison, CO, Class E airspace area. The Blue Mesa Class 
E airspace area was incorrectly named for a navigational aid rather 
than for the airport served by the airspace. This is contrary to FAA 
policy. This action, in effect, renames the Class E airspace area. This 
action also increases the size of the Class E airspace area. The 
additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate a new Global 
Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedure (SIAP) 
serving the Gunnison County Airport, Gunnison, CO.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, June 18, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dennis Ripley, ANM-520.6, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 
97-ANM-15, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056; 
telephone number: (425) 227-2527.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On January 26, 1998, the FAA proposed to amend Title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR part 71) by revoking the Blue 
Mesa, CO, Class E airspace area while establishing a larger and 
correctly named Gunnison, CO, Class E airspace area (63 FR 3675). 
Interested parties were invited to participate in the rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments 
were received.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth are published in Paragraph 
6005 of FAA Order 7400.9E, dated September 10, 1997, and effective 
September 16, 1997, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. 
The Class E airspace designation listed in this document will be 
published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 revokes the existing Blue Mesa, 
CO, Class E airspace and establishes Class E airspace at Gunnison, CO. 
The establishment of the Gunnison, CO, airspace adds a 2 nautical mile 
700-foot Class E area extension to the northeast, and modifies 1200-
foot Class E airspace to the south and the east of the existing Blue 
Mesa, CO, airspace. The extensions are necessary to meet the airspace 
criteria for aircraft transitioning between the terminal and en route 
environments and to fully encompass a new GPS-B SIAP to the Gunnison 
County Airport. The FAA establishes Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet AGL, where necessary, to contain aircraft transitioning 
between the terminal and en route environments. The intended effect of 
this rule is designed to provide safe and efficient use of the 
navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under 
Instrument Flight Rules at the Gunnison County Airport and between the 
terminal and en route transition stages.
    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 air navigation, it is 
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.

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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND 
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

    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]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 
1997, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ANM CO E5  Blue Mesa, CO [Removed]

* * * * *

ANM CO E5  Gunnison, CO [New]

Gunnison County Airport, CO
    (Lat. 38 deg.32'02'' N, long. 106 deg.55'59'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 38 deg.11'25''

[[Page 18313]]

N, long. 107 deg.12'30'' W; to lat. 38 deg.21'25'' N, long. 
107 deg.25'00'' to W; lat. 38 deg.24'30'' N, long. 107 deg.21'00'' 
W; to lat. 38 deg.33'30'' N, long. 107 deg.20'00'' W; to lat. 
38 deg.31'25'' N, long. 107 deg.12'30'' W; to lat. 38 deg.42'00'' N, 
long. 106 deg.59'00'' W; to lat. 38 deg.32'10'' N, long. 
106 deg.46'00'' W; thence to the point of beginning; that airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within an area 
bounded by a line beginning at lat. 37 deg.59'30'' N, long. 
107 deg.16'00'' W; to lat. 38 deg.17'45'' N, long. 107 deg.39'00'' 
W; to lat. 38 deg.45'40'' N, long. 106 deg.54'00'' W; to lat. 
38 deg.16'40'' N, long. 106 deg.08'00'' W; to lat. 38 deg.09'00'' N, 
long. 106 deg.16'00'' W; to lat. 38 deg.18'30'' N, long. 
106 deg.47'00'' W; thence to the point of beginning.
* * * * *
    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on April 2, 1998.
Joe E. Gingles,
Acting Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Northwest Mountain 
Region.
[FR Doc. 98-9835 Filed 4-14-98; 8:45 am]
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