[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 245 (Monday, December 22, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 66838-66840] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-33282] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 71 [Airspace Docket No. 97-AGL-61] Proposed Modification of Class D Airspace; Minot AFB, ND; and Class E Airspace; Minot, ND AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice proposes to modify Class D airspace at Minot Air Force Base (AFB), ND, and Class E airspace at Minot, ND. A review of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) 1 or Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) Runway 29 Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP), the Instrument Landing System/Distance Measuring Equipment (ILS/DME) 2 Runway 29 SIAP, the ILS/DME Runway 11 SIAP, and the TACAN Runway 11 SIAP for Minot AFB necessitates these modifications. Controlled airspace extending upward from the surface, controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet above ground level (AGL), and controlled airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet AGL is needed to contain aircraft executing these approaches. This proposal would increase the radius and remove the extensions to the Class D airspace for Minot AFB, ND, and would increase the radius and add a northwest extension to that portion of the Minot, ND, Class E airspace associated with Minot AFB, ND. DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 26, 1998. ADDRESSES: Comments: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, AGL-7, Rules Docket No. 97-AGL-61, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. Docket: 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 Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, telephone (847) 294-7568. [[Page 66839]] 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-61.'' 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 14 CFR part 71 to modify Class D airspace at Minot AFB, ND, and Class E airspace at Minot, ND. A recent joint FAA/Air Force review of the controlled airspace for Minot AFB revealed a need to reinstate controlled airspace inadvertently dropped during the 1993 United States airspace reclassification. This action was completed by Final Rule on November 5, 1997 (97-AGL-59, 62 FR 59783). Further review of the current instrument approach procedures for Minot AFB, including the ILS 1 or TACAN Runway 29 SIAP, the ILS/DME 2 Runway 29 SIAP, the ILS/DME Runway 11 SIAP, and the TACAN Runway 11 SIAP, has indicated a need to modify the existing controlled airspace by increasing the radius and removing the extensions to the Class D airspace for Minot AFB, ND, and increasing the radius and adding a northwest extension to that portion of the Minot, ND, Class E airspace associated with Minot AFB, ND. Controlled airspace extending upward from the surface, controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet AGL, and controlled airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet AGL is needed to contain aircraft executing these approaches. The areas would be depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts. Class D airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000, 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 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 D and Class E airspace designations 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 14 CFR part 71 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 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 5000 Class D Airspace * * * * * AGL ND D Minot AFB, ND [Revised] Minot AFB, ND (Lat. 48 deg.25'56''N, long. 101 deg.21'29''W) That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 4,200 feet MSL and within a 5.3-mile radius of Minot AFB. This Class D 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 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth * * * * * AGL ND E5 Minot, ND [Revised] Minot, AFB, ND (Lat. 48 deg.25'56''N, long. 101 deg.21'29''W) Deering TACAN (Lat. 48 deg.24'55''N, long. 101 deg.21'58''W) Minot International Airport, ND (Lat. 48 deg.15'34''N, long. 101 deg.16'52''W) Minot VORTAC (Lat. 48 deg.15'37''N, long. 101 deg.17'14''W) That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.1-mile radius of Minot AFB and within 1.5 miles each side of the Deering TACAN 292 deg. radial extending from the 7.1-mile radius to 9.3 miles northwest of the airport and that airspace within a 7.0-mile radius of Minot International Airport and within 4.8 miles each side of the Minot VORTAC 138 deg. radial extending from the 7.0-mile radius to 12.1 miles southeast of the VORTAC and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 47-mile radius of Minot AFB, excluding the area north of latitude 49 deg.00'00''N. * * * * * [[Page 66840]] Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on November 26, 1997. Maureen Woods, Manager, Air Traffic Division. [FR Doc. 97-33282 Filed 12-19-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-M