[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 78 (Monday, April 24, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20873-20874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3861]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23712; Airspace Docket No. 06-AAL-05]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Kuparuk, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final Rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at Kuparuk, AK to 
provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing 
eight Special Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). This 
rule results in new Class E airspace established upward from 700 feet 
(ft.) above the surface at Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport, AK.

DATES:  Effective Date: 0901 UTC, August 3, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Rolf, 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:

History

    On Wednesday, February 15, 2006, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 
of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to establish Class 
E airspace upward from 700 ft. above the surface at Ugnu-Kuparuk 
Airport, AK (71 FR 7890). The action was proposed in order to create 
Class E airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft while executing 
eight Special SIAPs for the Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport. The Special 
approaches were listed as being new and revised in the Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). However, all eight Special SIAPs were 
already in existence. Thus, there are no instrument approach procedure 
changes. This action is taken to fulfill the FAA policy of establishing 
controlled airspace at private airfields with existing instrument 
procedures. Class E controlled airspace extending upward from 700 ft. 
above the surface in the Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport area is created by this 
action. 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 proposed. Additionally, the airspace action title in the 
NPRM should have been listed as ``Establishment of Class E Airspace; 
Kuparuk, AK'' instead of using the term ``Ugnu-Kuparuk''. The legal 
description title is taken from the geographic location, not the 
airport's name.
    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 700/1,200 
ft. transition areas are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 
7400.9N, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 
2005, and effective September 15, 2005, 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 Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 creates Class E airspace at 
Kuparuk, Alaska. This Class E airspace is established to accommodate 
aircraft executing existing Special SIAPs. The intended effect of this 
rule is to provide controlled airspace for Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) 
operations at Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport, Kuparuk, 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 ``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 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.
    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 creates Class E airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft 
executing instrument procedures for the Ugnu-Kuparuk 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).

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.9N, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated September 1, 2005, and effective September 15, 2005, is 
amended as follows:
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or 
more above the surface of the earth.
* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Kuparuk, AK [New]

Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport, AK
    (Lat. 70[deg]19'51'' N., long. 149[deg]35'51'' W.)
Pitsand NDB
    (Lat. 70[deg]19'41'' N., long. 149[deg]38'07'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of the Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport, and within 8 
miles north and 4 miles south of the 078[deg] bearing of the Pitsand 
NDB extending from the 7-mile radius to 16 miles east of the Pitsand 
NDB and within 8 miles north and 4 miles south of the 258[deg] 
bearing of the

[[Page 20874]]

Pitsand NDB extending from the 7-mile radius to 16 miles west of the 
Pitsand NDB.
* * * * *

    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on April 14, 2006.
Anthony M. Wylie,
Manager, Safety, Area Flight Service Operations.
[FR Doc. 06-3861 Filed 4-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P