[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 31, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63725-63726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18264]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25947; Airspace Docket No. 06-AAL-31]


Proposed Revision of Class D/E Airspace; Big Delta, Allen Army 
Airfield, Fort Greely, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to revise the controlled airspace at 
Allen Army Airfield (AAF), AK. The current Class D airspace is 
continuous. The United States Army has decided to staff the Allen AAF 
air traffic control tower (ATCT) part time. The Class D and E airspace 
will need to be revised in order to align Class D airspace effective 
times to match ATCT hours of operation. The current title of the 
airspace described in FAA Order 7400.9P will also change to reflect 
current guidance in FAA Order 7400.2E. Adoption of this proposal would 
result in reconfiguring the controlled airspace at Allen AAF, Delta 
Junction, AK.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 15, 2006.

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-2006-25947/Airspace Docket No. 06-AAL-31, 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 Service 
Operations, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 
14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Rolf, 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-2006-25947/
Airspace Docket No. 06-AAL-31.'' 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.

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), which would revise the Class D and E 
airspace descriptions at Allen AAF, AK resulting from a change in the 
hours of activation at the Allen AAF Control Tower. The intended effect 
of this proposal is to adjust the Class D airspace activation time to 
align with the Allen AAF tower hours of operation. The class D airspace 
would only be in place while the tower is manned. The Class D airspace 
area will be effective during the specific dates and times established 
in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will 
thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory.
    The Army does not need to operate the control tower 24 hours per 
day. Class D airspace is only in effect when a tower is open. When the 
tower is not open, the airspace would revert to Class E. Additionally, 
the title of each airspace description in FAA Order 7400.9P associated 
with Allen AAF would be changed. By convention, these titles are 
associated with the nearest city or town. In this case, ``Delta 
Junction'' should be referenced (not ``Big Delta''). For example, the 
Class E5 airspace should be titled: ``AAL AK E5 Delta Junction, AK''. 
There is a smaller town named Big Delta about 10 miles further north of 
Delta Junction. It has been mistakenly listed in the description since 
1995. This action would correct that error. The proposed airspace 
changes are sufficient in size to contain aircraft executing instrument 
procedures at Allen AAF, AK.
    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 areas designated as 700/1200 
foot transition areas are published in paragraph 6005 in FAA Order 
7400.9P, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 
2006, and effective September 15, 2006, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D

[[Page 63726]]

and 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 changes to Class D and E airspace that remain sufficient in 
size to contain aircraft executing instrument procedures at Allen AAF 
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 D 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 7400.9P, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 
2006, is to be amended as follows:

* * * * *

Paragraph 5000 General.

* * * * *

AAL AK D Delta Junction, AK [Revised]

Allen AAF, 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.)
Delta Junction Airport (D66), AK
    (Lat. 64[deg]03''02' 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 from Allen AAF; excluding 
the portion within the boundary of restricted areas R2202A and 
R2202C, and excluding that airspace below 700 feet above the surface 
contained within an area from an East/West line 1/2-mile south of 
the Delta Junction Airport (D66), extending from 1 mile east of the 
Richardson Highway to 1 mile west of the Delta River, thence 
northwest and parallel to the Richardson Highway and the Delta 
River, to the 6.3-mile radius from Allen AAF. This Class D airspace 
area is effective during the specific dates and times established in 
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will 
thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility 
Directory.

Paragraph 6000 General.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Delta Junction, AK [Revised]

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

    Within an area from an East/West line \1/2\-mile south of the 
Delta Junction Airport (D66), extending from 1 mile east of the 
Richardson Highway to 1 mile west of the Delta River, thence 
northwest and parallel to the Richardson Highway and the Delta 
River, to the 6.3-mile radius from Allen AAF. This Class E2 airspace 
area is effective only when Class D airspace is activated.

Paragraph 6004 Class E airspace areas designated as an extension to 
a Class D surface area.

* * * * *

AAL AK E4 Delta Junction, AK [Revised]

Allen AAF, 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.)

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

Paragraph 6005 Class D airspace extending upward from 700 feet or 
more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Delta Junction, AK [Revised]

Allen AAF, 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 Allen AAF, and within 3 miles north and 
2.6 miles south of the 039[deg] radial of the Big Delta VORTAC 
extending from the 8.6-mile radius from Allen AAF, to 10.3 miles 
northeast of Allen AAF; excluding the portion within restricted 
areas 2202A and R2202C.
* * * * *

    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on October 23, 2006.
Anthony M. Wylie,
Director, Alaska Flight Service Information Office.
 [FR Doc. E6-18264 Filed 10-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P