[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 174 (Friday, September 6, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 47053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22833]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-AGL-1]


Amendment to Class E Airspace; Rochester, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at Rochester, MN. 
Additional controlled airspace is required for the Copter GPS 326 
degrees approach to St. Mary's Hospital Heliport. Controlled airspace 
extending upward from 700 to 1200 feet above ground level (AGL) is 
needed to contain aircraft executing the approach. The intended affect 
of this action is to provide segregation of aircraft using instrument 
approach procedures in instrument conditions from other aircraft 
operating in visual weather conditions.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, October 10, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John A. Clayborn, Air Traffic Division, Operations Branch, AGL-530, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois 60018, telephone (847) 294-7568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On Wednesday, May 29, 1996, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to amend Class E 
airspace at Rochester, MN (61 FR 26855). The proposal was to add 
controlled airspace extending upward from 700 to 1200 feet AGL to 
contain Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations in controlled airspace 
during portions of the terminal operation and while transiting between 
the enroute and terminal environments.
    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 areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the 
surface of the earth are published in paragraph 6005 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 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 Class E airspace at Rochester, MN to accommodate 
IFR, operators executing the Copter GPS 326 degrees approach procedure 
to St. Mary's Hospital Heliport. Controlled airspace extending upward 
from 700 to 1200 feet AGL is needed to contain aircraft executing the 
approach. The area will be depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts 
thereby enabling pilots to circumnavigate the area or otherwise comply 
with IFR procedures.
    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 14 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 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

AGL MN E5 Rochester, MN [Revised]

Rochester International Airport, MN
    (Lat. 43 deg.54'32'' N, long. 92 deg.29'53'' W)
St. Mary's Hospital Heliport, MN
    (Lat. 44 deg.01'11'' N, long. 92 deg.28'59'' W)
Rochester VOR/DME
    (Lat. 43 deg.46'58' N, long. 92 deg.35'49'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.7-mile radius of the Rochester International Airport and 
within 3.2 miles each side of the Rochester VOR/DME 028 radial 
extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 7.9 miles southwest of the 
airport, within 5.3 miles southwest and 4 miles northeast of the 
Rochester northwest localizer course extending from the 6.7-mile 
radius to 20 miles northwest of the airport, within 5.3 miles 
northeast and 4 miles southwest of the Rochester southeast localizer 
course extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 17.3 miles southeast of 
the airport and within a 6.4-mile radius of the St. Mary's Hospital 
Heliport.
* * * * *
    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on August 20, 1996.
Maureen Woods,
Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 96-22833 Filed 9-5-96; 8:45 am]
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