[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 73 (Monday, April 18, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20096-20098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7625]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20643; Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL-13]


Proposed Establishment of Class D Airspace; and Modification of 
Class E Airspace; Big Delta, Allen AAF Airport, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class D airspace, and to 
revise Class E airspace at Big Delta, Allen Army Airfield (AAF) Airport 
on Ft. Greeley, Alaska. The Department of the Army is proposing to 
establish an Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at Allen AAF Airport 
to support operations of the U. S. Army Space and Missile Defense 
Command. The intended effect of this action is to enhance safety and 
security by providing air traffic control services to an expected 
increase in aircraft operating at the airport due to an expanded 
homeland security mission at Ft. Greeley. New Class D airspace is 
required to provide ATCT services. Expanded Class E airspace is needed 
to contain aircraft executing instrument approach and departure 
procedures and to align with the proposed Class D airspace.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 2, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal to the Docket Management 
System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify the docket 
number FAA-2005-20643/Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL-13, at the beginning 
of your comments. You may also submit comments on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov. You may review the public docket containing the 
proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in 
the Dockets Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5527) 
is on the plaza level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF 
Building at the above address.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the office of the Manager, Safety, Alaska Flight Services 
Operations, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 
14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jesse Patterson, AAL-538G, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 
99513-7587; telephone number (907) 271-5898; fax: (907) 271-2850; e-
mail: [email protected]. Internet address: http://www.alaska.faa.gov/at.

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 both docket numbers and be submitted in 
triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to 
acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with 
those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the 
following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. FAA-2005-20643/
Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL-13.'' 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 notice may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket 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.

[[Page 20097]]

Availability of Notice of Proposed Rulemaking's (NPRM's)

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents 
can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov 
or the Superintendent of Document's Web page at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
    Additionally, any person may obtain a copy of this notice by 
submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of 
Air Traffic Airspace Management, ATA-400, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591 or by calling (202) 267-8783. Communications must 
identify both docket numbers for this notice. Persons interested in 
being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should contact the 
FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, to request a copy of 
Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Distribution 
System, which describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to the Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR Part 71), by adding Class D airspace and revising 
Class E airspace at Big Delta, Allen AAF Airport, at Ft. Greeley, 
Alaska. The intended effect of this proposal is to revise Class E 
airspace to contain aircraft in controlled airspace for Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) operations; and to establish Class D airspace for 
the proposed Allen AAF ATCT to provide airport traffic control services 
to an expected increase in air traffic with the expanded role of Ft. 
Greeley in homeland security.
    The United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command is the 
managing agency for Allen AAF Airport. They plan to reopen the Allen 
AAF ATCT by October, 2005. Class D airspace will be needed for the 
control of airport traffic when the ATCT opens. The United States Army 
is taking this action in order to accommodate an expected increase in 
air traffic, now and in the future, as well as to address security 
concerns surrounding significant national defense installations at Ft. 
Greeley.
    The new proposed Class D airspace would not impact the ability of 
VFR aircraft to utilize the flight corridors along the Richardson and 
Alaska Highways, but will require that pilots of aircraft using these 
flight corridors below 2,500 above ground level (AGL) contact the Allen 
AAF Airport ATCT on the appropriate frequency in accordance with Title 
14, CFR 91.129. The operation of Restricted Area 2202 A, B, and C will 
not be affected by this action.
    Class E airspace at and above 700 feet AGL is proposed to be 
expanded to ensure that aircraft executing instrument flight rules 
(IFR) approaches and departures are contained within controlled 
airspace. The Class E Surface Area is proposed to be expanded to align 
with the new Class D airspace. The extension to the Northeast of the 
Class E Surface Area would be realigned to extend from the revised 
boundary of the Class E Surface Area.
    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 area designations are published 
in paragraph 5000 of FAA Order 7400.9M, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 30, 2004, and effective September 16, 
2004, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E 
surface areas are published in paragraph 6002, the Class E airspace 
areas designated as an extensions to a Class D or Class E surface area 
are published in paragraph 6004, and the Class E airspace areas 
extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface are published 
in paragraph 6005 of the same order. The Class D and Class E airspace 
designations 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 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.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle 1, Section 106 
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's 
authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart 1, Section 40103, Sovereignty and use of 
airspace. Under that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing 
regulations to ensure the safe and efficient use of the navigable 
airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because 
it proposes to establish Class D airspace and expand Class E airspace 
sufficient to contain aircraft executing instrument operations at Big 
Delta, Allen AAF Airport and represents the FAA's continuing effort to 
safely and efficiently use the navigable airspace.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

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 Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9M, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 30, 2004, and effective September 16, 
2004, is to be amended as follows:
* * * * *

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace

* * * * *

AAL AK D Big Delta, AK [New]

Big Delta, Allen AAF Airport, AK
    (Lat. 63[deg]59'40'' N., long. 145[deg]43'18'' W.)
Big Delta VORTAC
    (Lat. 64[deg]00'16'' N., long. 145[deg]43'02'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,800 feet MSL within a 6.3-mile radius of the Allen AAF Airport; 
excluding the portion within the boundary of restricted area 2002A.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Area

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Big Delta, AK [Revised]

Big Delta, Allen AAF Airport, AK
    (Lat. 63[deg]59'40'' N., long. 145[deg]43'18'' W.)
Big Delta VORTAC

[[Page 20098]]

    (Lat. 64[deg]00'16'' N., long. 145[deg]43'02'' W.)

    Within a 6.3-mile radius of the Allen AAF Airport; excluding the 
portion within the boundary of restricted area 2002A
* * * * *

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a 
Class D or E Surface Area

* * * * *

AAL AK E4 Big Delta, AK [Revised]

Big Delta, Allen AAF Airport, AK
    (Lat. 63[deg]59'40'' N., long. 145[deg]43'18'' W.)
Big Delta VORTAC
    (Lat. 64[deg]00'16'' N., long. 145[deg]43'02'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3 miles 
north and 2.6 miles south of the Big Delta VORTAC 039[deg] radial 
extending from the 6.3-mile radius of the Allen AAF Airport to 10.3 
miles northeast of the airport
* * * * *

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward from 700 
feet of More Above the Surface of the Earth

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Big Delta, AK [Revised]

    Big Delta, Allen AAF Airport, AK
    (Lat. 63[deg]59'40'' N., long. 145[deg]43'18'' W.) Big Delta 
VORTAC
    (Lat. 64[deg]00'16'' N., long. 145[deg]43'02'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 8.6-mile radius of the Allen AAF Airport; and within 3 
miles north and 2.6 miles south of the Big Delta VORTAC 039[deg] 
radial extending from the 8.6-mile radius of the Allen AAF Airport 
to 10.3 miles northeast of the airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on April 6, 2005.
Anthony M. Wylie,
Acting Area Director, Alaska Flight Services Area Office.
[FR Doc. 05-7625 Filed 4-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P