[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57941-57942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21329]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 01-ANM-08]


Modification of Class E Airspace, Coppertown and Butte, MT

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action makes several changes to the Class E airspace at 
Coppertown, MT. First the airspace designation is changed from 
Coppertown, MT, to Butte, MT. Second, the Class E airspace is now 
qualified to be active continuously because a new weather reporting 
system was installed. The changes made by this action are intended to 
provide positive control to aircraft executing instrument flight rule 
operations at Bert Mooney Airport, Butte, MT

[[Page 57942]]


EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, November 28, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Wall, ANM-520.7, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Docket No. 01-ANM-08, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056: telephone number: (425) 227-2527.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On July 10, 2001, the FAA proposed to amend Title 14 Code of 
Federal Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR part 71) by modifying the Class E 
airspace at Coppertown, MT (66 FR 35917). The Class E airspace hours of 
operation at Bert Mooney Airport, Butte, MT, previously were restricted 
by NOTAM due to the unavailability of weather reporting services. Newly 
installed weather reporting equipment at the airport now qualifies the 
Class E surface area for continuous operation. Class E airspace is 
required to contain aircraft executing the instrument flight operations 
at Bert Mooney Airport. Airspace researchers had noted confusion when 
trying to locate the airspace description. This action will eliminate 
that confusion by changing the name from the collocated VORTAC 
``Coppertown'' to the city ``Butte''. The intended effect of this 
action is to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable 
airspace. 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 noting an error in the coordinates for the airport and 
Coopertown VORTAC. A revision to the legal description was made in the 
Notice for Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) to correct this. Notice and 
comment requirements were not published on this matter because the FAA 
determined that the error was minor and required that only the airspace 
description be changed and not the dimension of the affected airspace.

The Rule

    This amendment changes the hours of operation due to the 
installation of new weather reporting equipment, which qualified the 
Class E airspace for continuous operation. The airspace was previously 
qualified for part-time operation between 1300 and 0659 UTC. This final 
rule also changes the airspace designation from Coppertown, MT to 
Butte, MT. This action will provide safe and efficient use of the 
navigable airspace and promote safe flight operations between the 
terminal and en route transition stages.
    The airspace name change and effective hours will be depicted on 
aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The coordinates for this 
airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83. Class E airspace 
designated as surface areas are published in Paragraph 6002 of FAA 
Order 7400.9J dated August 31, 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 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 7400.9J, 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 Surface Areas

* * * * *

ANM MT E2 Coppertown, MT [REMOVED]

* * * * *

ANM MT E2 Butte, MT [NEW]

Bert Mooney Airport, MT
    (Lat. 45[deg]57'17'' N., long 112[deg]29'51'' W)
Coppertown VORTAC
    (Lat. 46[deg]01' 55'' N., long. 112[deg]44'51'' W)

Within a 4.3-mile radius of the Bert Mooney Airport; and within 1.8 
miles each side of the Coppertown VORTAC 115[deg] radial extending 
from the 4.3-mile radius to the VORTAC, and within 2.7 miles each 
side of the 316[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 
4.3-mile radius to 11.4 miles northwest of the airport.

* * * * *

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on August 6, 2002.
Kathryn M. Vernon,
Acting Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Northwest Mountain 
Region.
[FR Doc. 02-21329 Filed 9-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M