Establishment of Class E Airspace; Chenega Bay, AK

Federal Register, Volume 77 Issue 160 (Friday, August 17, 2012)

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

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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.

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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

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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

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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. 60deg04'43'' N., long. 147deg59'41'' 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 170deg bearing of Chenega Bay Airport to lat. 60deg02'17'' N., long. 147deg39'07'' W.; to lat. 60deg05'06'' N., long. 147deg28'33'' W.; to lat. 60deg11'41'' N., long. 147deg37'16'' W.; thence to the intersection of the 2-mile radius of Chenega Bay Airport and 353deg 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

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