[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 16, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53841-53842]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26464]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-AAL-4]


Revision of Class D and Class E Airspace; Bethel, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D and Class E airspace at 
Bethel, AK, to accommodate Visual Flight Rules (VFR) traffic in the 
Bethel area, landing and departing from Hanger Lake located about 2.5 
miles northeast of the Bethel VORTAC. Several Bethel Airport user 
groups, during public discussion on the decommission of the Bethel 
Approach Control, requested an exclusion area for Hanger Lake to 
accommodate VFR landings and takeoffs during Instrument Flight Rules 
(IFR) weather conditions at Bethel, AK. The area will be depicted on 
aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The intended effect of this 
proposal is to provide adequate exclusion from Bethel, AK, Class D and 
Class E airspace to accommodate Bethel user group requirements at 
Hanger Lake, AK.

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 
Bethel was published in the Federal Register (61 FR 32371). Changes to 
the Bethel airspace will incorporate an exclusion below 1,100 feet MSL 
between the 061 deg. radial and the 081 deg. radial from 2.9 nautical 
miles northeast of the Bethel VORTAC. The changes are required to 
create a Hanger Lake exclusion area as requested by Bethel Airport user 
groups for VFR operations when Bethel has IFR weather conditions.
    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. Therefore, the rule is 
adopted as written.
    The area will be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot 
reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class D airspace area designations are published in 
paragraph 5000 and the Class E airspace areas designated as an 
extension to a Class D or Class E surface area are published in 
paragraph 6004 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 D and 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 D and Class E airspace located at 
Bethel, AK, to create a Hanger Lake exclusion area as requested by 
Bethel Airport user groups for VFR operations when Bethel has IFR 
weather conditions.
    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

[[Page 53842]]

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 Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1995, and effective September 16, 
1996, is amended as follows:
* * * * *

Paragraph 5000  Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AAL AK D Bethel, AK [Revised]

Bethel Airport, AK
    (Lat. 60 deg.46'47'' N, long. 161 deg.50'17'' W)
Bethel VORTAC
    (Lat. 60 deg.47'05'' N, long. 161 deg.49'27'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.1-mile radius of the Bethel Airport, 
excluding that portion below 1,100 feet MSL between the 061 deg. 
radial and the 081 deg. radial from 2.9 miles northeast of the 
Bethel VORTAC. This Class D 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 Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E4 Bethel, AK

Bethel Airport, AK
    (Lat. 60 deg.46'47'' N, long. 161 deg.50'17'' W)
Bethel VORTAC
    (Lat. 60 deg.47'05'' N, long. 161 deg.49'27'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3 miles 
each side of the 022 deg. radial from the Bethel VORTAC, extending 
from the 4.1-mile radius of the Bethel Airport to 8.2 miles 
northeast of the airport, within 3.4 miles each side of the Bethel 
VORTAC 006 deg. radial, extending from the 4.1-mile radius of the 
Bethel Airport to 11 miles north of the Bethel VORTAC and within 3.5 
miles each side of the Bethel VORTAC 213 deg. radial extending from 
the 4.1-mile radius of the Bethel Airport to 10 miles southwest of 
the airport, excluding that portion below 1,100 feet MSL between the 
061 deg. radial and the 081 deg. radial from 2.9 miles northeast of 
the Bethel VORTAC.
* * * * *
    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on October 4, 1996.
Willis C. Nelson,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 96-26464 Filed 10-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P