[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 202 (Monday, October 20, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54379-54380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27364]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-ANM-02]


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Alamosa, CO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Alamosa, CO, Class E airspace by 
increasing the radius of the Class E surface area, and by expanding the 
lateral boundaries of the Class E airspace at and above 1,200 feet 
Above Ground Level (AGL). The additional controlled airspace is 
necessary to contain two Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) 
which have recently been developed for the Alamosa Airport. The 
intended effect of this action is to provide the additional controlled 
airspace necessary to enable the FAA to provide Instrument Flight Rules 
(IFR), Air Traffic Control (ATC) services and separation to IFR 
aircraft operating on the SIAP's and transitioning between the terminal 
and en route environments. The areas will be depicted on aeronautical 
charts for pilot reference.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, November 19, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ted Melland, ANM-520.1, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 97-
ANM-02, 1601 Lind Avenue S.W., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056; 
telephone number:  (425) 227-2536.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On April 2, 1997, the FAA proposed to amend Part 71 of Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to provide additional Class E 
airspace area at Alamosa, Colorado (62 FR 15635). The recent 
commissioning of the Alamosa Instrument Landing System (ILS), and 
Global Positioning System (GPS) SIAP requires adjustment of Class E 
airspace in order to segregate aircraft operating in instrument flight 
conditions from aircraft operating in visual flight conditions. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in the rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments 
were received. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on 
North American Datum 83. This action is the same as described in the 
proposal. Class E airspace designated as a surface area for an airport 
and airspace designations for airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth are published in paragraph 
6002 and paragraph 6005 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 
will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 Class E airspace at Alamosa, CO. 
The portion of the existing airspace area extending upward from the 
surface will be expanded by increasing the radius of the area from 4.3 
nautical miles (NM) to 5 NM. Where a SIAP has been designated for the 
airport and communications and weather reporting criteria are met, the 
FAA establishes Class E airspace extending upward from the surface to 
the base of overlying controlled airspace to contain terminal 
instrument operations if such action is justified and/or in the pubic 
interest. This action also expands and simplifies the portion of the 
area extending upward from 1,200 feet AGL by redefining the lateral 
boundaries of the area. The FAA establishes Class E airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet AGL where necessary to contain aircraft 
transitioning between the terminal and en route environments. The FAA 
has recently established GPS and ILS SIAP's for use by aircraft 
arriving at the Alamosa Airport. The additional Class E airspace 
established by this rule is necessary to accommodate the new SIAP's. 
The intended effect of this action is to provide the controlled 
airspace necessary to enable the FAA to provide IFR ATC services and 
separation to IFR aircraft operating on the GPS and ILS SIAP's, and 
while transitioning between the en route and terminal environments. The 
areas will be dipicted on appropriate aeronautical charts for pilot 
reference.

[[Page 54380]]

    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. 
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 14 CFR part 71 is amended as follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND 
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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 part 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  Class E airspace designated as a surface area for 
an airport.

* * * * *

ANM CO E2 Alamosa, CO [Revised]

Alamosa, San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field, CO
    (lat. 37 deg.26'06'' N, long. 105 deg.52'01'' W)
Alamosa VORTAC
    (lat. 37 deg.20'57'' N, long. 105 deg.48'56'' W)

    Within a 5-mile radius of the San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman 
Field, and within 3 miles each side of the Alamosa VORTAC 127 deg. 
and 335 deg. radials extending from the 5-mile radius to 10.1 miles 
southeast of the VORTAC. This Class E 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 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ANM CO E5 Alamosa, CO [Revised]

Alamosa, San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field, CO
    (lat. 37 deg.26'06'' N, long. 105 deg.52'01'' W)
Alamosa VORTAC
    (lat. 37 deg.20'57'' N, long. 105 deg.48'56'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within 8.7 miles northeast and miles southwest of the Alamosa VORTAC 
335 deg. and 155 deg. radials extending from 20.1 miles northwest to 
10.5 miles southeast of the VORTAC, and within 1.8 miles northwest 
and 5.3 miles southeast of the Alamosa VORTAC 200 deg. radial 
extending from the VORTAC to 14 miles southwest of the VORTAC; that 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within 
an area bounded by a point beginning at lat. 37 deg.37'00'' N, long. 
106 deg.14'00'' W; lat. 37 deg.44'00'' N, long. 105 deg.55'00'' W; 
lat. 37 deg.52'00'' N; long 105 deg.43'00'' W; lat. 37 deg.49'00'' 
N, long. 105 deg.31'00'' W; lat. 37 deg.20'30'' N, long. 
105 deg.18'00'' W; lat. 37 deg.03'30'' N, long. 105 deg.18'00'' W; 
lat. 37 deg.01'30'' N, long. 105 deg.46'00'' W; lat. 37 deg.05'25'' 
N, long. 106 deg.02'00'' W; lat. 37 deg.09'00'' N, long. 
106 deg.19'00'' W; lat. 37 deg.17'00'' N, long. 106 deg.21'00'' W; 
thence to the point of beginning.
* * * * *
    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on September 9, 1997.
Glenn A. Adams III,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 97-27364 Filed 10-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M