[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 147 (Tuesday, August 1, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43356-43357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12284]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23709; Airspace Docket No. 06-AAL-02]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Willow, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at Willow, AK to 
provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing new 
Instrument Procedures. This rule results in new Class E airspace 
established upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface 
at Willow, AK.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, September 28, 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 Tuesday, May 30, 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 Willow, 
AK (71 FR 30631). The action was proposed in order to create Class E 
airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft while executing two new 
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs), one new Standard 
Instrument Departure (SID) and a published departure procedure (DP) for 
the Willow Airport. The new approaches are (1) Area Navigation (Global 
Positioning System) (RNAV (GPS)) RWY 13, Original and (2) RNAV (GPS) 
RWY 31, Original. The SID is named the Big Lake One Departure. The DP 
is unnamed and will be listed in the front of the U.S. Terminal 
Procedures publication for Alaska. Class E controlled airspace 
extending upward from 700 ft. and 1,200 ft. above the surface in the 
Willow Airport area is established by this action.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
One comment was received. The commenter approved of the proposed action 
but would like to ``get the Class E down to the surface.'' A surface 
area had been considered for the Willow Airport, but was deemed too 
restrictive for the vast majority of local operators. There are 11 
airports within the area that would be encompassed by a standard 
surface area. The pilots at these airports are typically flying 
exclusively under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The demand for Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) usage of SIAPs to the Willow Airport is very low. A 
surface area would require increased visibility and communications 
requirements, as well as the necessity to obtain ATC clearances for 
operations to/from these airports, and is not warranted at this time. 
The SIAP minima will contain IFR traffic in Class E airspace as 
proposed. The commenter also offered a suggestion to place a VOR in the 
Willow area to enable VOR SIAP(s). This suggestion will not be adopted 
due to

[[Page 43357]]

the high cost of installation of a VOR and the very low use it would 
generate. 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 establishes Class E airspace at 
the Willow Airport, Alaska. This Class E airspace is created to 
accommodate aircraft executing two new SIAPs, one SID and one DP, and 
will be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The 
intended effect of this rule is to provide adequate controlled airspace 
for IFR operations at the Willow Airport, Willow, 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 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.
    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 Willow 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 Willow, AK [New]

Willow Airport, AK
    (Lat. 61[deg]45'16'' N., long. 150[deg]03'06'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.4-mile radius of the Willow Airport, and that airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 72-mile 
radius of the Willow Airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on July 24, 2006.
Anthony M. Wylie,
Director, Alaska Flight Service Information Office.
 [FR Doc. E6-12284 Filed 7-31-06; 8:45 am]
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