[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53993-53994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27394]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-AGL-45]


Proposed Modification of Class E Airspace; Mankato, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would modify Class E airspace at Mankato, 
MN. A Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach 
Procedure (SIAP) to Runway (RWY) 22 and a Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) or GPS 
SIAP to RWY 33 have been developed for Mankato Municipal Airport. 
Controlled airspace extending upward from the surface is needed to 
contain aircraft executing these approaches. This proposal would 
increase the radius of the surface area and add an extension to the 
northeast for the existing controlled airspace. The intended effect of 
this proposal is to provide segregation of aircraft using instrument 
approach procedures in instrument conditions from other aircraft 
operating in visual weather conditions.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 17, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, AGL-7, 
Rules Docket No. 97-AGL-45, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois 60018.

    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, 
Des Plaines, Illinois. An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the Air Traffic Division, Operations Branch, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle M. Behm, Air Traffic 
Division, Airspace Branch, AGL-520, Federal

[[Page 53994]]

Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 
60018, telephone (847) 294-7568.

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. 97-
AGL-45.'' 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 Rules Docket, FAA, Great Lakes Region, Office of 
the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois, 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 Federal Aviation Administration, 
Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-230, 
800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling 
(202) 267-3484. 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 
Mankato, MN, to accommodate aircraft executing the GPS RWY 22 SIAP and 
the VOR/DME or GPS RWY 33 SIAP at Mankato Municipal Airport by 
increasing the radius of the surface area and adding a northeast 
extension to the existing controlled airspace. Controlled airspace 
extending upward from the surface is needed to contain aircraft 
executing these approaches. The intended effect of this action is to 
provide segregation of aircraft using instrument approach procedures in 
instrument conditions from other aircraft operating in visual weather 
conditions. The area would be depicted on appropriate aeronautical 
charts. Class E airspace designations for airspace areas designated as 
a surface area for an airport are published in paragraph 6002, and 
Class E airspace designations for airspace areas extending upward from 
700 feet or more above the surface of the earth are published in 
paragraph 6005X of FAA Order 7400.9E, dated September 10, 1997, and 
effective September 16, 1997, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document 
would be published subsequently in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore this proposed 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 proposed 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).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal 
Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) as follows:

PART 71--[Amended]

    1. The authority citation for 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.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 
1997, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

AGL MN E2  Mankato, MN [Revised]

Mankato Municipal Airport, MN
    (Lat. 44 deg.13'18''N, long. 93 deg.55'08''W)
Mankato VOR/DME
    (Lat. 44 deg.13'12''N, long. 93 deg.54'44''W)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of Mankato Municipal Airport and within 
1.8 miles each side of the Mankato VOR/DME 167 deg. radial, 
extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 7 miles south of the VOR/DME, 
and within 2.7 miles each side of the Mankato VOR/DME 326 deg. 
radial, extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 7 miles northwest of 
the VOR/DME. This 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 Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

AGL MN E5 Mankato, MN [Revised]

Mankato Municipal Airport, MN
    (Lat. 44 deg.13'18''N, long. 93 deg.55'08''W)
    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Mankato Municipal Airport and within 2 
miles each side of the 047 deg. bearing from the airport, extending 
from the 7-mile radius to 8 miles northeast of the airport.
* * * * *
    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on September 15, 1997.
Maureen Woods,
Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 97-27394 Filed 10-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M