[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 43 (Monday, March 6, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12108-12109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5423]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 94-AAL-10]


Amendment to Class E Airspace; Cordova, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration [FAA], DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment modifies the Class E airspace area at Cordova, 
AK, to accommodate Visual Flight Rules (VFR) traffic in the Cordova 
area, landing and departing from the Cordova Muni (CKU) airport located 
about 10 miles west of Merle K. ``Mudhole'' Smith (CDV) airport. Due to 
terrain limitations, VFR traffic must pass through the northern portion 
of the Cordova Class E surface area. When the Class E surface area is 
below basic VFR and Special Visual Flight Rule (SVFR) operations are 
being conducted, numerous delays are experienced. The area will be 
depicted on aeronautical charts to provide a reference for pilots 
operating under VFR.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, May 25, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert C. Durand, AAL-531, 222 West 7th Avenue #14, Anchorage, AK, 
99513-7587; telephone: (907) 271-5898.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On December 20, 1994, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) by modifying the Class E 
surface area at Cordova, AK (60 FR 2044). The proposed action would 
provide required controlled airspace for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) 
procedures at the Merle K. ``Mudhole'' Smith Airport and allow Visual 
Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft to proceed through the northern portion of 
the existing Cordova Class E surface area. The reduction in Class E 
surface area will segregate aircraft operating under VFR conditions 
from aircraft operating under IFR procedures. The area would be 
[[Page 12109]] depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts thereby 
enabling pilots to circumnavigate the area or otherwise comply with IFR 
procedures.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
No comments objecting to the proposal were received. Class E airspace 
designations for surface areas of an airport are published in paragraph 
6002 of FAA Order 7400.9B, dated July 18, 1994, and effective September 
16, 1994, 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 part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 71) amends the Class E airspace area at Cordova, AK, by 
providing required controlled airspace for IFR procedures at the Merle 
K. ``Mudhole'' Smith Airport and allowing VFR aircraft to proceed 
through the northern portion of the current Cordova Class E surface 
area.
    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. 
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 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--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. app. 1348(a), 1354(a), 1510; E.O. 0854, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 14 CFR 
11.69.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9B, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated July 18, 1994, and effective September 16, 
1994, is amended as follows:
    Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace areas designated as a surface area 
for an airport.
* * * * *
AAL AK E2 Cordova, AK [Revised]

Cordova, Merle K. (MUDHOLE) Smith Airport, AK
    (Lat. 60 deg.29'31'' N. Long. 145 deg.28'39'' W)
Glacier River NDB
    (Lat. 60 deg.29'56'' N, long. 145 deg.28'28'' W)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of the Merle K. (MUDHOLE) Smith Airport 
and within 2.1 miles each side of the 222 deg. bearing from the 
Glacier River NDB extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 10 miles 
southwest of the airport within 2.2 miles each side of the 142 deg. 
bearing from the NDB extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 10.4 
miles southeast of the airport; excluding that airspace north of a 
line from lat. 60 deg.32'48'' N, long. 145 deg.34'06'' W; to lat. 
60 deg.31'00'' N, long. 145 deg.20'00'' W.
* * * * *
    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on February 21, 1995.
Willis C. Nelson,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 95-5423 Filed 3-3-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M