[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 143 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48545-48546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18620]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 02-AAL-1]


Revision of Class E Airspace; Cordova, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final Rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revises Class E airspace at Cordova, AK. It was 
determined that additional Class E surface area airspace is needed to 
protect instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at Cordova, AK. The 
additional Class E surface area airspace will ensure that aircraft 
executing straight-in standard instrument approach procedures to Runway 
27 remain within controlled airspace. This rule provides adequate 
controlled airspace for aircraft flying instrument (IFR) procedures at 
Cordova, AK.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, October 3, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derril Bergt, AAL-538, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 
99513-7587; telephone number (907) 271-2796; fax: (907) 271-2850; e-
mail: [email protected]. Internet address: http://www.alaska.faa.gov/at or at address http://162.58.28.41/at.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On February 6, 2002, a proposal to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise the Class E airspace at 
Cordova, AK, was published in the Federal Register (67 FR 5531). An 
extension to Class E surface area airspace was proposed to ensure that 
aircraft flying instrument approach procedures aligned with Runway 27 
at the Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith airport are entirely contained within 
controlled airspace. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) also 
proposed to re-designate some E2 airspace to E4 airspace. This proposal 
was made to comply with the current definition of Class E4 airspace as 
stated in paragraph 6004 of FAA Order 7400.9J, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2001 and effective September 
16, 2001, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. Paragraph 
6004 defines Class E4 airspace as ``Class E Airspace Areas Designated 
as an Extension to a Class D or Class E Surface Area.'' Subsequently, 
it has been determined by the FAA Airspace Management Branch, ATA-400, 
in Washington DC that this definition is incorrect. Paragraph 6004 is 
being amended to read: ``Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an 
Extension to a Class D Surface Area.'' Therefore, all Cordova Merle K. 
(Mudhole) Smith airport surface area airspace is designated as Class E2 
airspace. Coordinates were also changed, to correctly define the 
intersection of the line that constitutes the north boundary of the 
Class E2 surface area airspace, with the 4.1 mile radius circle around 
the airport. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to 
the FAA. No public comments have been received, thus, the rule is 
adopted as written.
    The area will be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot 
reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. The Class E airspace areas designated as surface 
areas are published in paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9J, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2001, and 
effective September 16, 2001, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document will 
be revoked and revised subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 revises the Class E airspace at 
Cordova, Alaska. An addition to Class E controlled airspace is 
necessary to contain IFR operations at Cordova, AK. The intended effect 
of this proposal is to provide adequate controlled airspace for 
instrument (IFR) operations at Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith airport, 
Cordova, Alaska.
    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

[[Page 48546]]

``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 7400.9J, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 31, 2001, and effective September 16, 
2001, is amended as follows:
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E2  Cordova, AK [Revised]

Cordova, Merle K. (MUDHOLE) Smith Airport, AK
    (Lat. 60 deg.29'31'' N., long. 145 deg.28'39'' W.)
Glacier River NDB
    (Lat. 60 deg.29'56'' N., long. 145 deg.28'28'' W.)

    Within a 4.1 mile radius of the Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith airport 
and within 2.1 miles each side of the 222 deg. bearing from the 
Glacier River NDB extending from the 4.1 mile radius to 10 miles 
southwest of the airport and within 2 miles either side of the 
060 deg. bearing from the Glacier River NDB extending from the 4.1-
mile radius to 6 miles northeast of the airport and within 2.2 miles 
each side of the 142 deg. bearing from the NDB extending from the 
4.1-mile radius to 10.4 miles southeast of the airport, excluding 
that airspace north of a line from lat. 60 deg.31'00'' N, long. 
145 deg.20'00'' W; to lat. 60 deg.31'03'' N, long. 145 deg.20'59'' 
W.
* * * * *

    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on July 1, 2002.
Stephen P. Creamer,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 02-18620 Filed 7-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P