Airworthiness directives: Class D and Class E airspace,
[Federal Register: February 1, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 20)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4793-4794]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe99-14]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 99-AAL-1]
Proposed Revision of Class D Airspace; Fairbanks, Eielson Air Force Base (AFB), AK; Proposed Revision and Establishment of Class E Airspace; Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
SUMMARY: This action proposes to revise Class D airspace operational times, revise current Class E airspace, and establish additional Class E airspace at Eielson AFB, AK. The United States Air Force (USAF) has requested this action in response to a critical Air Traffic Control (ATC) controller shortage throughout the USAF and an airspace review after redesigning their instrument approaches. Adoption of this proposal would result in the provision of a part time operation of the Class D airspace; revision of the current Class E airspace; and when the tower is closed, establishment of additional Class E airspace for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Special Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations at Eielson AFB, AK.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 18, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Operations Branch, AAL-530, Docket No. 99-AAL-1, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587.
The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Regional Counsel for the Alaskan Region at the same address.
An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours in the Office of the Manager, Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, at the address shown above and on the Internet at Alaskan Region's homepage at http://www.alaska.faa.gov/at or at address http:// 162.58.28.41/at.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derril Bergt, Operations Branch, AAL- 535, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587; telephone number (907) 271-2796; fax: (907) 271-2850; email: Derril.Bergt@faa.gov. Internet address: http:// www.alaska.faa.gov/at or at address http://162.58.28.41/at.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. Communications should identify the airspace docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 99- AAL-1.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter. All communications received on or before the specified closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available for examination in the Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK, both before and after the closing date for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filedin the docket.
Availability of NPRM's
Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by submitting a request to the Operations Branch, AAL-530, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587. Communications must identify the notice number of this NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A which describes the application procedure.
Internet users may reach the Federal Register's web page for access to recently published rulemaking documents at http://www. access.gpo.gov/su__docs/aces/aces 140.html.
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded, using a modem and suitable communications software, from the FAA regulations section of the Fedworld electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 703-321-3339) or the Federal Register's electronic bulleting board service (telephone: 202-512-1661).
The Proposal
The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 by revising the Class D airspace operational times at Eielson AFB, AK, due to a critical ATC controller shortage. Currently, the Class D airspace is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This action proposes to decrease the physical dimensions of the Class D airspace from a 5.2 mile radius to a 4.7 mile radius. The following phraseology would be added to the end of the Class D airspace description: ``This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory.'' This action would allow part time operation of the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at Eielson AFB, AK. The USAF has proposed the Eielson AFB tower be closed between 2300 and 0700 (local times). During this closure, the Class D airspace would convert to Class E airspace which this proposal is establishing for IFR and Special VFR operations. The existing Class E airspace
[[Page 4794]]
would be revised to eliminate extensions and would result in a single 7.2 mile radius circle of Eielson AFB.
The Eielson AFB mission has changed in recent years. Present flight operations rarely exceed 16 hours per day, and quiet hours are in effect from 2200 to 0700 local times. Less than one percent of annual flight traffic occurs during the proposed closure times. Eielson AFB base operations and the runway will remain a 24-hour facility. Eielson Tower will retain sufficient personnel to revert to 24-hour operations in the event of a contingency. Air traffic controllers will be on a standby schedule to provide on-call services to North American Defense (NORAD) missions, approved arrivals and departures, and emergency diverts. The USAF intends to meet all criteria to remain a viable alternate airport.
The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83. The Class D airspace areas are published in paragraph 5000, Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area are published in paragraph 6002, and Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth are published in paragraph 6005 in FAA Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 (63 FR 50139; September 21, 1998). The Class D and Class E airspace listed in this document would be revised and published in the Order.
The FAA has determined that these proposed regulations only involve 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, when promulgated, 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).
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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
-
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]
-
The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, is to be amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace
* * * * *
AAL AK D Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [Revised]
Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK
(Lat. 64 deg.39'56'' N., long. 147 deg.06'05'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 3,000 feet MSL within a 4.7-mile radius of Eielson AFB. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/ Facility Directory. * * * * *
Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace designated as surface areas.
* * * * *
AAL AK E2 Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [New]
Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK
(Lat. 64 deg.39'56'' N., long. 147 deg.06'05'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 3,000 feet MSL within a 4.7-mile radius of Eielson AFB. * * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth.
* * * * *
AAL AK E5 Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [Revised]
Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK
(Lat. 64 deg.39'56'' N., long. 147 deg.06'05'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.2-mile radius of Eielson AFB. * * * * *
Issued in Anchorage, AK, on January 22, 1999. Willis C. Nelson, Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 99-2338Filed1-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
