[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 20 (Monday, February 1, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4793-4794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2338]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-AAL-1]


Proposed Revision of Class D Airspace; Fairbanks, Eielson Air 
Force Base (AFB), AK; Proposed Revision and Establishment of Class E 
Airspace; Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to revise Class D airspace operational 
times, revise current Class E airspace, and establish additional Class 
E airspace at Eielson AFB, AK. The United States Air Force (USAF) has 
requested this action in response to a critical Air Traffic Control 
(ATC) controller shortage throughout the USAF and an airspace review 
after redesigning their instrument approaches. Adoption of this 
proposal would result in the provision of a part time operation of the 
Class D airspace; revision of the current Class E airspace; and when 
the tower is closed, establishment of additional Class E airspace for 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Special Visual Flight Rules (VFR) 
operations at Eielson AFB, AK.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 18, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, 
Operations Branch, AAL-530, Docket No. 99-AAL-1, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Regional 
Counsel for the Alaskan Region at the same address.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the Office of the Manager, Operations Branch, Air Traffic 
Division, at the address shown above and on the Internet at Alaskan 
Region's homepage at http://www.alaska.faa.gov/at or at address http://
162.58.28.41/at.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derril Bergt, Operations Branch, AAL-
535, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, 
Anchorage, AK 99513-7587; telephone number (907) 271-2796; fax: (907) 
271-2850; email: Derril.B[email protected]. Internet address: http://
www.alaska.faa.gov/at or at address http://162.58.28.41/at.

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. 99-
AAL-1.'' 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 Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK, 
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 Operations Branch, AAL-530, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, 
Anchorage, AK 99513-7587. 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.
    Internet users may reach the Federal Register's web page for access 
to recently published rulemaking documents at http://www.
access.gpo.gov/su__docs/aces/aces 140.html.
    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded, using a 
modem and suitable communications software, from the FAA regulations 
section of the Fedworld electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 
703-321-3339) or the Federal Register's electronic bulleting board 
service (telephone: 202-512-1661).

The Proposal

    The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 by revising the Class D 
airspace operational times at Eielson AFB, AK, due to a critical ATC 
controller shortage. Currently, the Class D airspace is operational 24 
hours a day, seven days a week. This action proposes to decrease the 
physical dimensions of the Class D airspace from a 5.2 mile radius to a 
4.7 mile radius. The following phraseology would be added to the end of 
the Class D airspace description: ``This Class D 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.'' This action 
would allow part time operation of the Airport Traffic Control Tower 
(ATCT) at Eielson AFB, AK. The USAF has proposed the Eielson AFB tower 
be closed between 2300 and 0700 (local times). During this closure, the 
Class D airspace would convert to Class E airspace which this proposal 
is establishing for IFR and Special VFR operations. The existing Class 
E airspace

[[Page 4794]]

would be revised to eliminate extensions and would result in a single 
7.2 mile radius circle of Eielson AFB.
    The Eielson AFB mission has changed in recent years. Present flight 
operations rarely exceed 16 hours per day, and quiet hours are in 
effect from 2200 to 0700 local times. Less than one percent of annual 
flight traffic occurs during the proposed closure times. Eielson AFB 
base operations and the runway will remain a 24-hour facility. Eielson 
Tower will retain sufficient personnel to revert to 24-hour operations 
in the event of a contingency. Air traffic controllers will be on a 
standby schedule to provide on-call services to North American Defense 
(NORAD) missions, approved arrivals and departures, and emergency 
diverts. The USAF intends to meet all criteria to remain a viable 
alternate airport.
    The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot 
reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. The Class D airspace areas are published in 
paragraph 5000, Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area are 
published in paragraph 6002, and Class E airspace areas extending 
upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth are 
published in paragraph 6005 in FAA Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 
16, 1998, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 (63 FR 
50139; September 21, 1998). The Class D and Class E airspace listed in 
this document would be revised and published in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that these proposed regulations only involve 
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, when promulgated, 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

    In consideration of the foregoing, 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 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 71.1 of Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 
1998, is to be amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000  Class D Airspace

* * * * *

AAL AK D  Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [Revised]

Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK
    (Lat. 64 deg.39'56'' N., long. 147 deg.06'05'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,000 feet MSL within a 4.7-mile radius of Eielson AFB. This Class D 
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 6002  Class E airspace designated as surface areas.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2  Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [New]

Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK
    (Lat. 64 deg.39'56'' N., long. 147 deg.06'05'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,000 feet MSL within a 4.7-mile radius of Eielson AFB.
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5  Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [Revised]

Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK
    (Lat. 64 deg.39'56'' N., long. 147 deg.06'05'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.2-mile radius of Eielson AFB.
* * * * *
    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on January 22, 1999.
Willis C. Nelson,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 99-2338 Filed 1-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P