[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19255-19257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9780]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-AAL-1]


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revises Class D airspace operational times, 
revises and revokes current Class E airspace, and establishes 
additional Class E airspace at Eielson AFB, AK. The United States Air 
Force (USAF) requested this action in response to (1) a critical Air 
Traffic Control (ATC) controller shortage throughout the USAF and (2) 
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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, July 15, 1999.

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:

History

    On February 1, 1999, a proposal to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation

[[Page 19256]]

Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to allow the USAF to revise Class D 
airspace operational times, modify existing Class E airspace, and 
establish additional Class E airspace for IFR and Special VFR 
operations when the Class D airspace is inactive at Eilson AFB, AK was 
published in the Federal Register (64 FR 4793). This rule is necessary 
due to a critical ATC controller shortage and a redesign of the 
required airspace for IFR operations. This action decreases the 
physical dimensions of the Class D airspace from a 5.2 mile radius to a 
4.7 mile radius. The following phraseology will 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 
allows part time operation of the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) 
at Eielson AFB, AK. The USAF plans for the Eielson AFB tower to be 
closed between 2300 and 0700 (local times). During this closure, the 
Class D airspace will convert to Class E airspace which this rule is 
establishing for IFR and Special VFR operations. The existing Class E 
airspace is revised to eliminate extensions and the result is 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 planned 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.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No public 
comments to the proposal were received. However, while stating the 
extensions will be eliminated, the reference for the Eielson AFB Class 
E airspace extensions was inadvertently omitted. The following verbiage 
has been added to the rule, ``Class E airspace areas extending upward 
from the surface designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E 
surface area are published in paragraph 6004,'' and ``AAL AK E4 
Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [Revoked].'' Additionally, the verbiage 
``This Class E 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'' was inadvertently omitted from the Class E 
airspace description. This verbiage is required because the time of 
activation is not continuous, 24 hours a day. The Federal Aviation 
Administration has determined that these changes are editorial in 
nature and will not increase the scope of this rule. Except for the 
non-substantive change just discussed, the rule is adopted as written.
    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, Class E airspace areas extending upward 
from the surface designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E 
surface area are published in paragraph 6004, 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 will be revised, revoked, and 
published in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 allows the USAF to revise the 
Class D airspace operational times at Eielson AFB, AK, revokes Class E 
surface area extensions, revises the existing Class E airspace, and 
establishes Class E airspace for IFR and Special VFR operations when 
the Class D airspace is inactive. The intended effect of this action is 
to provide the USAF the flexibility to adjust the operational time of 
the Eielson AFB Tower and make revisions to the Class E airspace at 
Eielson AFB, AK.
    The FAA has determined that these actions 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).

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 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 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. This Class E 
airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times 
established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective

[[Page 19257]]

date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the 
Airport/Facility Directory.

Paragraph 6004  Class E airspace areas extending upward from the 
surface designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface 
area.

* * * * *

AAL AK E4  Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [Revoked]

* * * * *

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 April 9, 1999.
Willis C. Nelson,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 99-9780 Filed 4-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M