[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 246 (Friday, December 22, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66529-66530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31202]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 95-AWP-38]


Proposed Establishment of Class D and E Airspace Areas; Saipan 
Island, CQ

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would establish Class D and E airspace 
areas at Saipan Island, CQ. The Class D airspace area would be 
established because an airport traffic control tower (ATCT) at Saipan 
International Airport, Saipan Island, CQ, has been commissioned. The 
FAA is proposing to establish the Class E airspace area to provide 
adequate controlled airspace for aircraft executing instrument approach 
operations at Saipan International Airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 2, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, AWP-500, Docket No. 95-AWP-38, Federal Aviation 
Administration, P. O. Box 92007, Worldway Postal Center, Los Angeles, 
CA 90009.
    The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of 
the Chief Counsel, Room 916, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Crawford, Airspace and 
Obstruction Evaluation Branch (ATP-240), Airspace-Rules and 
Aeronautical Information Division, Air Traffic Rules and Procedures 
Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-3075.

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. 95-
AWP-38.'' 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 Rules Docket 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 filed in 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 Federal Aviation Administration, 
Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-220, 
800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 
267-3485. 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.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to establish Class D and E 
airspace areas at Saipan Island, CQ. The Class D airspace area would be 
established because an ATCT at Saipan International Airport, Saipan 
Island, CQ, has been commissioned. The FAA is proposing to establish 
the Class E airspace area to provide adequate controlled airspace for 
aircraft executing instrument approach operations at Saipan 
International Airport. Class D and E airspace designations are 
published in paragraphs 5000 and 6004, respectively, of FAA Order 
7400.9C dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16, 1995, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and E airspace 
designations listed in this document would be published subsequently in 
this Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed 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, when promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the 
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. 

[[Page 66530]]


ICAO Considerations

    As part of this proposal relates to navigable airspace outside the 
United States, this notice is submitted in accordance with the 
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) International 
Standards and Recommended Practices.
    Applicability of International Standards and Recommended Practices 
by the Air Traffic Rules and Procedures Service, FAA, in areas outside 
domestic airspace of the United States is governed by Article 12 of, 
and Annex 11 to, the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which 
pertains to the establishment of air navigational facilities and 
services necessary to promote the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow 
of civil air traffic. Their purpose is to ensure that civil aircraft 
operations on international air routes are carried out under uniform 
conditions designed to improve the safety and efficiency of air 
operations.
    The International Standards and Recommended Practices in Annex 11 
apply in those parts of the airspace under the jurisdiction of a 
contracting state, derived from ICAO, wherein air traffic services are 
provided and also whenever a contracting state accepts the 
responsibility of providing air traffic services over high seas or in 
airspace of undetermined sovereignty. A contracting state accepting 
such responsibility may apply the International Standards and 
Recommended Practices in a manner consistent with that adopted for 
airspace under its domestic jurisdiction.
    In accordance with Article 3 of the Convention on International 
Civil Aviation, Chicago, 1944, state aircraft are exempt from the 
provisions of Annex 11 and its Standards and Recommended Practices. As 
a contracting state, the United States agreed by Article 3(d) that its 
state aircraft will be operated in international airspace with due 
regard for the safety of civil aircraft.
    Since this action involves, in part, the designation of navigable 
airspace outside the United States, the Administrator is consulting 
with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense in accordance 
with the provisions of Executive Order 10854.

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--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 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; 14 CFR 11.69.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9C, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16, 
1995, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000--Class D Airspace

* * * * *

AWP CQ D Saipan Island, CQ [New]

Saipan International Airport, CQ
    (Lat. 15 deg.07'08''N, long. 145 deg.43'46''E)

    Saipan RBN (lat. 15 deg.06'41''N, long. 145 deg.42'37''E)
    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Saipan International 
Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific 
dates and times established in advanced by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in 
the Airport/Facility Directory, Pacific Chart Supplement.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6004--Class E airspace areas designated as an extension 
to a Class D surface area

* * * * *

AWP CQ E4 Saipan Island, CQ [New]

Saipan International Airport, CQ
    (Lat. 15 deg.07'08''N, long. 145 deg.43'46''E)

    Saipan RBN (lat. 15 deg.06'41''N, long. 145 deg.42'37''E)
    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.3-
mile radius of Saipan International Airport and within 2.6 miles 
each side of the Saipan RBN 264 deg. bearing, extending from the 
4.3-mile radius to 7.4 miles west of the Saipan RBN and within 1.8 
miles each side of the Saipan RBN 248 deg. radial, extending from 
the 4.3-mile radius to 7.4 miles west of the Saipan RBN and within 
1.8 miles each side of the Saipan RBN 068 deg. radial, extending 
from the 4.3-mile radius to 6.5 miles east of the Saipan 
International Airport. This Class E airspace area is effective 
during the specific dates and times established in advanced by a 
Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be 
continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory, Pacific 
Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 12, 1995.
Harold W. Becker,
Manager, Airspace-Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.
[FR Doc. 95-31202 Filed 12-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P