[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 66 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18437-18438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6932]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0342; Airspace Docket No. 07-AAL-20]


Revision of Class E Airspace; Bettles, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revises Class E airspace at Bettles, AK to provide 
adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing Standard 
Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). Two Standard Instrument 
Approach Procedures (SIAPs) are being developed for the Bettles 
Airport. Additionally, two SIAPs and a textual departure procedure (DP) 
are being amended. This action revises existing Class E airspace upward 
from the surface and from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the 
surface at the Bettles Airport, Bettles, AK.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, June 5, 2008. 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 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 Friday, February 1, 2008, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise Class E 
airspace upward from the surface and from 700 ft. above the surface and 
from 1,200 ft. above the surface at Bettles, AK (73 FR 6060). The 
action was proposed in order to create Class E airspace sufficient in 
size to contain aircraft while executing SIAPs for the Bettles Airport. 
Class E controlled airspace extending upward from the surface and from 
700 ft. above the surface and from 1,200 ft. above the surface, in the 
Bettles 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 comments were received. 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 surface 
areas are published in paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 7400.9R, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 15, 2007, and 
effective September 15, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace areas designated as 700/1,200 ft. 
transition areas are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9R, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 15, 2007, and 
effective September 15, 2007, 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 
Bettles Airport, Alaska. This Class E airspace is revised to 
accommodate aircraft executing new and amended DPs and SIAPs, and will 
be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The intended 
effect of this rule is to provide adequate controlled airspace for

[[Page 18438]]

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the Bettles Airport, 
Bettles, 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 Bettles 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 7400.9R, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, signed August 15, 2007, and effective September 15, 2007, is 
amended as follows:
* * * * *
Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.
* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Bettles, AK [Revised]

Bettles Airport, AK
    (Lat. 66[deg]54'50'' N., long. 151[deg]31'44'' W.)

    Within a 5.7-mile radius of the Bettles Airport. This Class E 
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 Supplement 
Alaska Airport/Facility Directory.

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Bettles, AK [Revised]

Bettles Airport, AK
    (Lat. 66[deg]54'50'' N., long. 151[deg]31'44'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 8.2-mile radius of the Bettles Airport, and within 3.9 
miles either side of the 212[deg] bearing from the Bettles Airport, 
extending from the 8.2-mile radius to 11.3 miles southwest of the 
Bettles Airport; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet 
above the surface within a 72-mile radius of the Bettles Airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on March 24, 2008.
Anthony M. Wylie,
Manager, Alaska Flight Services Information Area Group.
[FR Doc. E8-6932 Filed 4-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P