[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26599]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98-AAL-6]
RIN 2120-AA66


Realignment of Colored Federal Airway; AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Colored Federal Airway Amber 4 (A-4) and 
revokes Colored Federal Airway Amber 6 (A-6) due to the decommissioning 
and subsequent removal of the Umiat Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB), 
AK, from the National Airspace System (NAS).

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, December 3, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules 
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On June 5, 1998, the FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 71 (part 71) 
to modify Colored Federal Airway A-4 and revoke Colored Federal Airway 
A-6 due to the decommissioning and subsequent removal of the Umiat NDB 
(63 FR 30666). Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
One comment objecting to the proposal was received from the Cape Smythe 
Air Service Safety Officer, opposing the swiftness of the FAA action to 
decommission the Umiat NDB and the subsequent loss of an instrument 
flight rules (IFR) alternate airport.
    The FAA does not agree with this comment for the following reasons: 
(1) there is no standard instrument approach procedure supporting Umiat 
Airport; (2) this airport does not meet the requirements to be used as 
an IFR alternate airport; (3) the airport weather information is 
unavailable; and (4) lighting at the airport is nonoperational. Airport 
operations at Umiat do not justify the cost of maintaining the Umiat 
NDB.
    Except for editorial changes this amendment is the same as that 
proposed in the notice.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 to modify Colored Federal Airway 
A-4 by removing that portion of the airway that extends beyond the 
Anaktuvuk, NDB, AK, and revoking Colored Federal Airway A-6. The FAA is 
taking this action due to the decommissioning and subsequent removal of 
the Umiat, NDB, AK, from the NAS.
    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, when promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the 
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    Colored Federal airways are published in paragraph 6009 of FAA 
Order 7400.9F dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 
1998, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The colored 
Federal airway listed in this document will be published subsequently 
in the Order.

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 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 
1998, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6009(c)--Amber Federal Airways

* * * * *

A-4  [Revised]

    From Evansville, NDB, AK to Anaktuvuk Pass, NDB, AK.
* * * * *

A-6  [Revoked]

* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 29, 1998.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 98-26599 Filed 10-2-98; 8:45 am]
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