[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 71 (Friday, April 13, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18568-18569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1812]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26719; Airspace Docket No. 06-AAL-41]


Revision of Class E Airspace; Valdez, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action revises Class E airspace at Valdez, AK to provide 
adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing Standard 
Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). The FAA Instrument Flight 
Procedures Production and Maintenance Branch has drafted two new SIAPs 
for the Valdez Pioneer Field Airport at Valdez, AK. This rule results 
in the revision of Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 
1,200 ft. above the surface at Valdez, AK.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, July 5, 2007. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order

[[Page 18569]]

7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

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 Thursday, January 18, 2007, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise Class E 
airspace upward form 700 ft. and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Valdez 
Pioneer Field, AK (72 FR2213). The action was proposed in order to 
create Class E airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft while 
executing two new SIAPs for the Valdez Pioneer Field Airport. The 
approaches are (1) Localizer Type Directional Aid (LDA)/Distance 
Measuring Equipment (DME)-G, Original and (2) LDA-H, Original. The LDA-
G is a Special SIAP and will not be published in the U.S. Terminal 
Procedures (Alaska) publication. Class E controlled airspace extending 
upward from 700 ft. and 1,200 ft. above the surface in the Valdez, AK 
area is revised by this action. In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 
the airport name was not fully articulated. The full and proper 
designation (Valdez Pioneer Field) is included in this rule. The 
location of the localizer has also been updated to reflect accurate 
position.
    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 
7400.9P, 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 E airspace designations 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 
Valdez Pioneer Field Airport, Alaska. This Class E airspace is revised 
to accommodate aircraft executing SIAPs, 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 Valdez Pioneer Field Airport, Valdez, 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 Valdez Pioneer Field 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), 30103, 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 7400.9P, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 2006, 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 Valdez, AK

Valdez Pioneer Field, AK
    (Lat. 61[deg]08'02'' N, long. 146[deg]14'54'' W.)
Valdez Localizer
    (Lat. 61[deg]08'10'' N, long. 146[deg]13'15'' W.)
Johnstone Point VORTAC
    (Lat. 60[deg]28'51'' N, long. 146[deg]35'58'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.6-mile radius of the Valdez Pioneer Field Airport, AK, 
and within 3.1 miles each side of the Valdez Localizer front course 
extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 12.8 miles southwest of the 
Valdez Localizer; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet 
above the surface within 50 miles of the Johnstone Point VORTAC, AK, 
extending clockwise from the Johnstone Point VORTAC, AK, 200[deg] 
radial to the 076[deg] radial.
* * * * *

    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on April 2, 2007.
Anthony M. Wylie,
Manager, Alaska Flight Services Information Area Group.
[FR Doc. 07-1812 Filed 4-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M