[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 47 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12126-12127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6054]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-ANM-02]


Proposed Revision of Class E Airspace; Colstrip, MT

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This proposal would amend the Colstrip, MT, Class E area and 
provide additional controlled airspace to accommodate the development 
of new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) utilizing the 
Global Positioning System (GPS) at the Colstrip, Airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, 
Airspace Branch, ANM-520, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 
99-ANM-02, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington, 98055-4056.
    The official docket may be examined in the office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel for the Northwest Mountain Region at the same address.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the office of the Manager, Air Traffic Division, Airspace 
Branch, at the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dennis Ripley, ANM-520.6, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 
99-ANM-02, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-4056; 
telephone number: (425) 227-2527.

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 specially 
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-
ANM-02.'' 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 the light of comments received. All comments submitted will be 
available for examination at the address listed above 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 NPRM by submitting a request 
to the Federal Aviation Administration, Airspace Branch, ANM-520, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Communications must 
identify the notice number of this NPRM. Persons interested in being 
placed in 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 Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR part 71) by revising Class E airspace at 
Colstrip, MT, in order to accommodate two new GPS SIAP to the Colstrip 
Airport. This amendment would provide additional airspace by lowering 
the Class E area to the west in order to meet current criteria 
standards associated with SIAP holding patterns. The FAA establishes 
Class E airspace where necessary to contain aircraft transitioning 
between the terminal and en route environments. The intended effect of 
this proposal is designed to provide safe and efficient use of the 
navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) at the Constrip Airport and between the 
terminal and en route transition stages.
    The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot 
reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth, are published Paragraph 
6005, 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 Class E airspace designation 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. 
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.

[[Page 12127]]

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

* * * * *

ANM MT E5 Colstrip, MT [Revised]

Colstrip Airport, Colstrip MT
    (Lat. 45 deg.51'10'' N, long. 106 deg.42'34'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 13.5-mile radius of Colstrip Airport, that airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface bounded on the 
north along V-2, on the east along V-254; on the south along lat. 
45 deg.30'00'' N., to long. 107 deg.40'00'' W., on the west along 
long. 107 deg.40'00'' W., to V-2; excluding that airspace within 
Federal airways, the Billings, the Forsyth and the Miles City, MT, 
Class E airspace areas
* * * * *
    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on February 18, 1999.
Daniel A. Boyle,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 99-6054 Filed 3-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M