[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 608-609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-175]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-AAL-32]


Revision of Class E Airspace; Buckland, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: It has come to the attention of the FAA that the Class E 
airspace at Buckland, AK, will not chart correctly. This action revises 
the Buckland, AK, airspace description by clarifying the airspace 
required from the Kotzebue Very High Frequency (VHF) omni-directional 
radio range (VOR) and Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the 
Selawik VOR/DME to the new Global Positioning System (GPS) waypoint 
coordinates. The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for 
pilot reference. The intended effect of this rule is to provide an 
accurate airspace description for the Class E airspace supporting IFR 
operations at Buckland, AK.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective 0901 UTC on January 6, 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

    The FAA established Class E airspace at Buckland Airport, AK, as a 
result of the development of a GPS instrument approach procedure to 
Runway (RWY) 10 at Buckland Airport, AK. The final rule was published 
in the Federal Register (61 FR 53848, October 16, 1996). Interested 
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by 
submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments 
were received.
    It has been brought to the FAA's attention that the airspace 
description will not chart correctly. The airspace description has been 
reworded to change the verbage ``10.5 miles northwest on the 303 deg. 
bearing from the Buckland NDB'' to read ``4 miles eitherside of a line 
between AKUDY and the Kotzebue VOR/DME, and 4 miles eitherside of a 
line between AKUDY and the Selawik VOR/DME, excluding that airspace 
inside Kotzebue, AK, and Selawik, AK, Class E airspace areas.'' This 
action will clarify the charting problem. National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) needs this revision before 
publication of aeronautical charts and manuals with effective date 
January 30, 1997.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. The Class E airspace areas designated as 700/1200 
foot transition areas are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 
7400.9D, dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 1996, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 (61 FR 48403; 
September 13, 1996). 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) revises the Class E airspace at Buckland, AK. The Class E 
airspace description will not chart correctly. The airspace description 
verbage ``10.5 miles northwest on the 303 deg. bearing from the 
Buckland NDB'' has been reworded to read ``4 miles eitherside of a line 
between AKUDY and the Kotzebue VOR/DME, and 4 miles eitherside of a 
line between AKUDY and the Selawik VOR/DME, excluding that airspace 
inside Kotzebue, AK, and Selawik, AK, Class E airspace areas.'' This 
action will clarify the charting problem.
    Because the circumstances described in this final rule warrant 
immediate action by the FAA to provide a corrected description for 
charting agencies, the FAA concludes that notice and public procedure 
under 5 U.S.C. section 553(b) are impractical and good cause, pursuant 
to 5 U.S.C. section 553(d), exists for making this amendment effective 
in less than 30 days.
    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.

[[Page 609]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

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, 1996, and effective September 16, 
1996, is amended as follows:
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Buckland, AK [Revised]

Buckland Airport, AK
    (lat. 65 deg. 58' 40'' N, long. 161 deg. 07' 44'' W)
Buckland NDB
    (lat. 65 deg. 58' 45'' N, long. 161 deg. 08' 56'' W)
Kotzebue VOR/DME
    (lat. 66 deg. 53' 09'' N, long. 162 deg. 32' 24'' W)
Selawik VOR/DME
    (lat. 66 deg. 36' 00'' N, long. 159 deg. 59' 50'' W)
AKUDY
    (lat. 66 deg. 04' 23'' N, long. 161 deg. 30' 08'' W)
    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the Buckland Airport; and that airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within 6 miles 
southwest and 4 miles northeast of the 303 deg. bearing of the 
Buckland NDB extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 21 miles 
northwest, and 4 miles eitherside of a line between AKUDY and the 
Kotzebue VOR/DME, and 4 miles eitherside of a line between AKUDY and 
the Selawik VOR/DME, excluding that airspace inside Kotzebue, AK, 
and Selawik, AK, Class E airspace areas.
* * * * *
    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on December 26, 1996.
Willis C. Nelson,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 97-175 Filed 1-3-97; 8:45 am]
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