[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45596-45597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21821]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 00-ANM-28]


Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace, Bellingham, WA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D airspace at Bellingham, WA, 
by amending the effective hours to coincide with the Bellingham Airport 
Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) hours of operation. This action also 
modifies the Class E airspace extension at Bellingham International 
Airport when the Bellingham ATCT is closed. The effect of this action 
clarifies when two-way radio communication with Bellingham ATCT is 
required and provides adequate controlled airspace when the Bellingham 
ATCT is closed.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, November 1, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Durham, ANM-520.7, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Docket No. 00-ANM-28, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, Washington, 98055-4056; telephone number: (425) 227-2527.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On June 18, 2001, the FAA proposed to amend Title 14 Code of 
Federal Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR part 71) by modifying Class D and 
Class E airspace at Bellingham, WA, in order to clarify when two-way 
communications with the Bellingham ATCT is required and to provide 
adequate controlled airspace for IFR operations when the ATCT is closed 
(66 FR 32781). Interested parties were invited to participate in the 
rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal. A 
comment was received from the FAA, AVN-500, National Aeronautical 
Charting Office. A revision to the legal description, as written in the 
Notice for Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), was required to amend a small 
discrepancy in the airport coordinates. This is considered an 
insignificant modification to the airspace description as the 
corrections did not change the dimension of the proposed airspace 
action described in the NPRM.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, part 71 (14 
CFR part 71) modifies Class D and Class E airspace at Bellingham, WA, 
in order to clarify when two-way communications with the Bellingham 
ATCT is required and to provide adequate controlled airspace for IFR 
operations. This action modifies the Class D airspace area at 
Bellingham, WA, by amending the effective hours to coincide with the 
Bellingham ATCT hours of operation. This action modifies the Class E 
airspace extension at Bellingham International Airport when the 
Bellingham ATCT is closed. The FAA establishes Class D and Class E 
airspace where necessary to protect aircraft transitioning between the 
terminal and en route environments, and to provide local VFR sequencing 
by ATCT personnel. The 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) and VFR at 
Bellingham International Airport and between the terminal and en route 
transition stages.
    The area will be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot 
reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class D airspace areas designated for an airport, 
are published in Paragraph 5000, and Class E airspace areas designated 
as surface areas, are published in Paragraph 6004 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 D and E airspace 
designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order.
    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. 
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, 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 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 5000  General.

* * * * *

ANM WA D  Bellingham, WA [Revised]

Bellingham International Airport
    (Lat. 48 deg.47'34" N., long. 122 deg.32'15" W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 4-mile radius of Bellingham International 
Airport. This Class D 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.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6004  Class E airspace consisting of airspace extending 
upward from the surface designated as an extension of Class D 
airspace.

* * * * *

ANM WA E4  Bellingham, WA [Revised]

Bellingham International Airport
    (Lat. 48 deg.47'34" N., long. 122 deg.32'15" W.)
Whatcom VORTAC
    (Lat. 48 deg.56'43" N., long. 122 deg.34'45" W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within the 1.8 
miles each side of the

[[Page 45597]]

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 15, 2001.
Daniel A. Boyle,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 01-21821 Filed 8-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M