[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 14, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42618-42619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20311]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 157 / Tuesday, August 14, 2001 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 42618]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 00-ANM-31]


Proposed Establishment of Class E Airspace; Bellingham, WA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at the 
surface at Bellingham International Airport when the Bellingham Airport 
Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) is closed. The intended effect of this 
action is to clarify when two-way radio communication with Bellingham 
ATCT is required and to provide adequate Class E controlled airspace 
between the surface and the en route phase of flight for aircraft 
executing Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Bellingham 
International Airport, Bellingham, WA, when the Bellingham ATCT is 
closed. 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 for the 
safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 28, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, 
Airspace Branch, ANM-520, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 
00-ANM-31, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    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: Brian Durham, ANM-520.7, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Docket No. 00-ANM-31, 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 
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 action must 
submit, with those comments, a self-addressed stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 00-
ANM-31.'' 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 action 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 docket 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.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR part 71) by establishing Class E 
controlled airspace at Bellingham, WA. Bellingham ATCT recently changed 
its operating hours to less than a 24 hour-a-day operation. In the 
absence of the Class D airspace, Class E controlled airspace is 
required for aircraft executing IFR operations at Bellingham 
International Airport when the ATCT is closed. 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 for the safe and efficient use of 
the navigable airspace. This proposal would promote safe flight 
operations under IFR at the Bellingham International 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 designated as surface areas, 
are published in Paragraph 6002, of FAA Order 7400.9H dated September 
1, 2000, and effective September 16, 2000, 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 11013; 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).

[[Page 42619]]

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 the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9H, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2000, and effective September 16, 
2000, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002  Class E airspace designated as surface area for an 
airport.

* * * * *

ANM WA E2  Bellingham, WA [New]

Bellingham International Airport
    (Lat. 48 deg.47'37"N., long. 122 deg.32'19"W.
Whatcom VORTAC
    (Lat. 48 deg.56'43"N., long. 122 deg.34'45"W.

    Within a 4-mile radius of Bellingham International Airport, and 
within the 1.8 miles each side of the Whatcom VORTAC 169 deg. radial 
extending north from the 4-mile radius of the Bellingham 
International Airport to 2.7 miles south of the VORTAC. This Class E 
airspace is effective during 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.

* * * * *

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on August 3, 2001.
Dan A. Boyle,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 01-20311 Filed 8-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M