[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 78 (Monday, April 24, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20874-20875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3862]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23711; Airspace Docket No. 06-AAL-04]


Revision of Class E Airspace; Middleton Island, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revises Class E airspace at Middleton Island, AK 
to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing 
two new and two amended Standard Instrument Approach Procedures 
(SIAPs). This rule results in revised Class E airspace established 
upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Middleton 
Island, 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. and 1,200 ft. above the surface at 
Middleton Island, AK (71 FR 7891). The action was proposed in order to 
create Class E airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft while 
executing two new and two amended SIAPs for the Middleton Island 
Airport. The amended approaches are (1) Very High Frequency Omni-
directional Range (VOR) Runway (RWY) 01, Amendment (Amdt) 2; and (2) 
VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) RWY 19, Amdt 5. The new 
approaches are (1) Area Navigation (Global Positioning System) (RNAV 
(GPS)) RWY 01, Original; and (2) RNAV (GPS) RWY 19, Original. Class E 
controlled airspace extending upward from 700 ft. and 1,200 ft. above 
the surface in the Middleton Island Airport area is revised 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.
    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 revises Class E airspace at the 
Middleton Island Airport, Alaska. This Class E airspace is revised to 
accommodate aircraft executing two new and two revised SIAPs, and will 
be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The intended 
effect of this rule is to provide adequate controlled airspace for 
Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at Middleton Island Airport, 
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 Middleton Island 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 Middleton Island, AK [Revised]

Middleton Island Airport, AK
    (Lat. 59[deg]27[min]00[sec] N., long. 146[deg]18[min]26[sec] W.)
Middleton Island VOR/DME
    (Lat. 59[deg]25[min]19[sec] N., long. 146[deg]21[min]00[sec] W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the Middleton Island Airport, and within 
4 miles either side of the 038[deg] radial of the Middleton Island 
VOR/DME extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 12 miles northeast of 
the VOR/DME, and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet 
above the surface within a 42-mile radius of the Middleton Island 
VOR/DME.
* * * * *


[[Page 20875]]


    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on April 14, 2006.
Anthony M. Wylie,
Manager, Safety, Area Flight Service Operations.
[FR Doc. 06-3862 Filed 4-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P