[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 139 (Thursday, July 18, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37408-37409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18272]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-AAL-15]


Proposed Revision of Class E Airspace; Bettles, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This action revises the Class E airspace at Bettles, AK. The 
development of the Global Positioning (GPS) instrument approach to 
Bettles Airport, AK has made this action necessary. The area would be 
depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The intended 
effect of this proposal is to provide adequate controlled airspace for 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Bettles, AK.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 6, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, 
System Management Branch, AAL-530, Docket No. 96-AAL-15, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 
99513-7587.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief 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, System Management Branch, Air 
Traffic Division, at the address shown above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert van Haastert, System Management 
Branch, AAL-538, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, 
Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587; telephone number (907) 271-5863.

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. 96-
AAL-15.'' 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 System Management 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 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 System Management 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.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to modify Class E airspace at 
Bettles, AK. This action is necessary to accommodate a new GPS 
instrument approach to Runway 1 at Bettles Airport, AK. The coordinates 
for this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83. The 
Class E airspace areas designated as surface areas for an airport are 
published in paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9C, dated August 17, 
1995, and effective September 16, 1995, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR 71.1 (58 FR 36298; July 6, 1993). The

[[Page 37409]]

Class E airspace designation listed in this document would be published 
subsequently 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--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR Part 71 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 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 7400.9C, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16, 
1995, is amended as follows:
* * * * *

Paragraph 6002  The Class E airspace areas listed below are 
designated as a surface area for an airport.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Bettles, AK

Bettles Airport, AK
    (lat. 66 deg.54'55'' N., long. 151 deg.31'41'' W.)
Bettles VORTAC
    (lat. 66 deg.54'18'' N., long. 151 deg.32'10'' W.)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of the Bettles Airport and within 4 
miles west of the Bettles VORTAC 227 deg. radial extending from the 
4.1-mile radius to 12 miles southwest of the airport and within 4 
miles each side of the Bettles VORTAC 212 deg. radial extending from 
the 4.1-mile radius to 12 miles southwest of the airport and within 
2.9 miles each side of the Bettles VORTAC 026 deg. radial extending 
from the 4.1-mile radius to 7.4 miles north of the airport. This 
Class E 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 
Supplement Alaska (Airport/Facility Directory).
* * * * *
    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on July 11, 1996.
Trent S. Cummings,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 96-18272 Filed 7-17-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P