[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 16, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53844-53845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26462]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-AAL-2]


Revision of Class E Airspace; Wrangell, St. Paul Island, 
Petersburg, and Sitka, AK; Establishment of Class E Airspace at Noatak, 
AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revises the Class E airspace at Wrangell, St. Paul 
Island, Petersburg, and Sitka, AK, and establishes Class E airspace at 
Noatak, AK. The FAA has developed Global Positioning System (GPS) 
instrument approach procedures at Wrangell Airport, James A. Johnson 
Airport (Petersburg), and Sitka Airport; a Microwave Landing System 
(MLS) approach procedure at St. Paul Island Airport; and a Non-
directional beacon (NDB)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) approach 
procedure at Noatak Airport, Alaska. Changes to the Wrangell airspace 
incorporated a new Wrangell Localizer course, provided new segment 
widths, and will declutter the chart depiction. Changes to the 
Petersburg airspace incorporated protected airspace for transition to 
approach, provided new segment widths to Fredericks Point NDB 140 deg. 
bearing, corrected the misspelling of Level Island, and changed the 
altitude needed for the missed approaches. Changes to the Sitka 
airspace incorporated protected airspace for the holding pattern. 
Changes to the St. Paul Island airspace incorporated new coordinates 
for the airport and non-directional beacon. Noatak Class E airspace is 
established for NDB/DME instrument approach procedures. This action 
changes the Noatak Airport status from Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) concurrent with the publication of the 
NDB/DME instrument approach. The areas will be depicted on aeronautical 
charts for pilot reference.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, January 30, 1997.

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:

History

    On June 24, 1996, a proposal to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise the Class E airspace at 
Wrangell, St. Paul Island, Petersburg, and Sitka, AK, and establish 
Class E airspace at Noatak, AK was published in the Federal Register 
(61 FR 32372). Revision of the Class E airspace is required for the IFR 
approach and departure procedures using Global Positioning System (GPS) 
at Wrangell Airport, James A. Johnson Airport (Petersburg), and Sitka 
Airport; a Microwave Landing System (MLS) approach procedures at St. 
Paul Island Airport; and NDB/DME approach procedures at Noatak, Alaska. 
This action will provide adequate Class E airspace for IFR operations 
at Wrangell, St. Paul Island, Petersburg, Sitka, and Noatak, AK.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
No comments to the proposals were received. However the proposal was 
published with incorrect coordinates which have been corrected: Noatak 
Airport (67 deg.33'44'' N, 162 deg.58'31'' W), Sitka Airport 
(57 deg.02'50'' N, 135 deg.21'42'' W), Sitka VORTAC (56 deg.51'34'' N, 
135 deg.33'05'' W), St. Paul Island Airport (57 deg.10'02'' N, 
170 deg.13'14'' W), and St. Paul Island Localizer (57 deg.10'45'' N, 
170 deg.13'00'' W). The coordinates for Wrangell NDB were omitted and 
are 56 deg.29'13'' N, 132 deg.23'16'' W. The FAA has determined that 
these changes are editorial in nature and will not increase the scope 
of this rule. Except for the non-substantive changes just discussed, 
the rule is adopted as proposed.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class E airspace areas designated as airport surface 
areas are published in Paragraph 6002 and 700/1200 foot transition 
areas are published in Paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9D, dated 
September 4, 1995, and effective September 16, 1996, which are 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 (58 FR 36298; July 6, 1993). 
The Class E airspace designations 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) revises the Class E airspace located at Wrangell, St. Paul 
Island, Petersburg, and Sitka, AK, and establishes Class E airspace at 
Noatak, AK, to provide controlled airspace extending upward from 700 
feet AGL for aircraft executing instrument landing and departing 
procedures.
    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 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 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 7400.9D, Airspace

[[Page 53845]]

Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1995, and 
effective September 16, 1996, 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 Petersburg, AK [New]

Petersburg Airport, AK
    (Lat. 56 deg.48'06'' N, long. 132 deg.56'43'' W)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of the James A. Johnson Airport, 
Petersburg, Alaska. The Class E airspace 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).
* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Wrangell, AK [New]

Wrangell Airport, AK
    (Lat. 56 deg.29'04'' N, long. 132 deg.22'11'' W)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of the Wrangell Airport, Alaska. The 
Class E airspace 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).
* * * * *

Paragraph 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Wrangell, AK [Revised]

Wrangell Airport, AK
    (Lat. 56 deg.29'04'' N, long. 132 deg.22'11'' W)
Wrangell Localizer
    (Lat. 56 deg.29'03'' N, long. 132 deg.21'45'' W)
Level Island VOR/DME
    (Lat. 56 deg.28'04'' N, long. 133 deg.04'59'' W)
Wrangell NDB
    (Lat. 56 deg.29'13'' N, long. 132 deg.23'16'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the Wrangell Airport and within 2.5 
miles south and 3.5 miles north of the Wrangell Localizer front 
course extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 17.5 miles northwest of 
the airport; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet 
above the surface within 6 miles either side of the Wrangell 
Localizer front course extending from 14.5 miles west of the airport 
to 25 miles west of the airport and within 4 miles each side of the 
Level Island VOR/DME 086 deg. radial extending from the VOR/DME to 
the Localizer; and within 5 miles west and 6 miles east of the 
148 deg. bearing from the Wrangell NDB extending to 25 miles 
southeast of the airport; and that airspace extending upward from 
5,700 feet MSL within 32 miles of the Level Island VOR/DME extending 
clockwise from the VOR/DME 327 deg. radial to the VOR/DME 035 deg. 
radial, excluding that airspace within the Petersburg, AK, Class E 
airspace area.
* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Petersburg, AK [Revised]

Petersburg Airport, AK
    (Lat. 56 deg.48'06'' N, long. 132 deg.56'43'' W)
Level Island VOR/DME
    (Lat. 56 deg.28'04'' N, long. 133 deg.04'59'' W)
Petersburg Localizer
    (Lat. 56 deg.48'02'' N, long. 132 deg.55'34'' W)
Fredericks Point NDB
    (Lat. 56 deg.47'32'' N, long. 132 deg.49'15'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the Petersburg Airport; and that 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within 4 
miles east and 7 miles west of the Petersburg Localizer front course 
extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 51 miles north of the Level 
Island VOR/DME and within 4 miles northeast and 5 miles southwest of 
the Fredericks Point NDB 140 deg. bearing extending from the 6.5-
mile radius to 10 miles southeast of the NDB; and that airspace 
extending upward from 3,300 feet MSL within 5 miles either side of 
the Level Island VOR/DME 013 deg. radial extending from the VOR/DME 
to the 6.5-mile radius; and that airspace extending upward from 
4,200 feet MSL within 28.6 miles of the Level Island VOR/DME 
extending clockwise from the VOR/DME 011 deg. radial to the 148 deg. 
radial; and that airspace extending upward from 5,700 feet MSL 
within 51 miles of the VOR/DME extending clockwise from the Level 
Island VOR/DME 326 deg. radial to the 011 deg. radial; excluding 
that airspace within the Wrangell, AK, and Sitka, AK, Class E 
airspace areas.
* * * * * *

AAL AK E5 Sitka, AK [Revised]

Sitka Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57 deg.02'50'' N, long. 135 deg.21'42'' W)
Biorka Island VORTAC
    (Lat. 56 deg.51'34'' N, long. 135 deg.33'05'' W)
Sitka Localizer
    (Lat. 57 deg.02'53'' N, long. 135 deg.21'54'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.6-mile radius of the Sitka Airport and within 4 miles 
each side of the 029 deg. and 209 deg. radials of the Biorka Island 
VORTAC extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 1 mile south of the 
VORTAC and within a 14-mile radius of the Biorka Island VORTAC 
extending clockwise from the 127 deg. radial to the 323 deg. radial 
and within 4 miles west and 8 miles east of the Biorka Island VORTAC 
209 deg. radial extending from the 14-mile radius to 16 miles 
southwest of the VORTAC and within 4 miles east and 6 miles west of 
the Sitka Localizer front course extending from the Sitka Localizer 
to 22 miles northwest of the airport; and that airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 40-mile radius of 
the Biorka Island VORTAC; and that airspace extending upward from 
5,500 feet MSL within an 85-mile radius of the VORTAC; excluding 
that airspace within Control 1487L; more that 12 miles from the 
shoreline; and within the Juneau, AK, Petersburg, AK, and the 
Ketchikan, AK, Class E airspace areas.
* * * * *

AAL AK E5 St. Paul Island, AK [Revised]

St. Paul Island Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57 deg.10'02'' N, long. 170 deg.13'14'' W)
St. Paul Localizer
    (Lat. 57 deg.10'45'' N, long. 170 deg.13'00'' W)
St. Paul NDB/DME
    (Lat. 57 deg.09'28'' N, long. 170 deg.13'51'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the St. Paul Island Airport and within 4 
miles west and 8 miles east of the St. Paul Localizer front course 
extending from 4 miles south of the St. Paul NDB/DME to 20 miles 
south of the NDB/DME and within 4 miles east and 8 miles west of the 
St. Paul Localizer back course extending from 5 miles north of the 
NDB/DME to 21 miles north of the NDB/DME and within 4 miles east and 
8 miles west of the 018 deg. bearing from the NDB/DME extending from 
6 miles north of the NDB/DME to 22 miles north of the NDB/DME; and 
that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within 14 miles of the NDB/DME.
* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Noatak, AK [New]

Noatak Airport, AK
    (Lat. 67 deg.33'44'' N, long. 162 deg.58'31'' W)
Noatak NDB/DME
    (Lat. 67 deg.34'19'' N, long. 162 deg.58'26'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the Noatak Airport and within 4 miles 
either side of the 197 deg. bearing from the Noatak NDB/DME from the 
6.5-mile radius to 10 miles southwest of the NDB/DME; and that 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within 4 
miles either side of the 197 deg. bearing from the Noatak NDB/DME 
extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 14 miles southwest of the NDB/
DME and within 4 miles east and 5 miles west of the 017 deg. bearing 
from the NDB/DME extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 11 miles 
northeast of the NDB/DME.
* * * * *
    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on October 4, 1996.
Willis C. Nelson,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 96-26462 Filed 10-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P