[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30589-30590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15048]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98-AGL-6]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Fergus Falls, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration,(FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at Fergus Falls, MN. 
Fergus Falls Municipal Airport-Einar Mickelson Field will be served by 
Federal Aviation Regulations Part 121 (14 CFR Part 121) air carrier 
operations. Controlled airspace extending upward from the surface is 
needed to allow the FAA to provide air traffic control services for 
aircraft executing instrument approach procedures. The airport meets 
the minimum communications and weather observation and reporting 
requirements for controlled airspace extending upward from the surface.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, August 13, 1998.

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On Thursday, March 12, 1998, the FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 
71 to establish Class E airspace at Fergus Falls, MN (63 FR 12047). The 
proposal was to add controlled airspace extending upward from the 
surface to contain Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations in 
controlled airspace during portions of the terminal operation and while 
transiting between the enroute and terminal environments.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
After the close of the comment period, but prior to issuance of the 
Final Rule, one letter of objection, with several signatories, was 
received in response to this airspace proposal. The letter is addressed 
herein. The basis of the objection was the anticipated adverse effect 
the proposed action would have regarding instructional flights for hire 
when the existing or forecast weather conditions are below visual 
flight rule (VFR) minimums. The introduction of Part 121 air carrier 
operations, anticipated to be a low daily number, require the highest 
level of safety be afforded all users of the airport to accommodate the 
increased IFR operations. When the existing or forecast weather 
conditions are below visual flight rule (VFR) minimums, special VFR 
operations may be conducted under the weather minimums and requirements 
of 14 CFR 91.157 within the airspace contained by the upward extension 
of the lateral boundaries of the controlled airspace designated to the 
surface for an airport. Therefore, while the proposed action would 
result in added requirements for operation under special VFR, the 
increased level of safety afforded to all users of the airport by the 
creation of the Class E surface area, because of the introduction of 
Part 121 air carrier operations, far outweighs the minor inconvenience 
of meeting those requirements.
    Class E airspace designations for airspace designated as a surface 
area are published in paragraph 6002 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 
this Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 establishes Class E airspace at 
Fergus Falls, MN, to accommodate aircraft executing instrument approach 
procedures at Fergus Falls Municipal Airport-Einar Mickelson Field. The 
proposed introduction of FAR Part 121 (14 CFR Part 121) air carrier 
operations necessitates creation of this controlled airspace. The area 
would be depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this 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 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--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 6002 Class E airspace designated as surface areas.
* * * * *

[[Page 30590]]

AGL MN E2 Fergus Falls, MN [New]

Fergus Falls Municipal Airport-Einar Mickelson Field, MN
    (Lat. 46 deg.17'04''N., long. 96 deg.09'24''W.)
Fergus Falls VOR/DME
    (Lat. 46 deg.17'21''N., long. 96 deg.09'24''W.)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of the Fergus Falls Municipal Airport-
Einar Mickelson Field and within 2.4 miles each side of the Fergus 
Falls VOR/DME 300 deg. radial extending from the 4.1-mile radius of 
the Fergus Falls Municipal Airport-Einar Mickelson Field to 7.0 
miles northwest of the Fergus Falls VOR/DME, and within 2.4 miles 
each side of the Fergus Falls VOR/DME 185 deg. radial extending from 
the 4.1-mile radius of the Fergus Falls Municipal Airport-Einar 
Mickelson Field to 7.0 miles south of the Fergus Falls VOR/DME.
* * * * *
    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on May 22, 1998.
Maureen Woods,
Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 98-15048 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M