[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 105 (Friday, May 30, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31024-31025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11982]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0134; Airspace Docket No. 08-AAL-3]


Revision of Class E Airspace; St. Mary's, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revises Class E airspace at St. Mary's, AK, to 
provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing 
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). Two new SIAPs are 
being developed for the St. Mary's Airport. Additionally, four SIAPs 
are being amended. This action revises existing Class E airspace upward 
from the surface and from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at St. 
Mary's Airport, St. Mary's, AK.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, July 31, 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 Tuesday, February 19, 2008, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise Class E 
airspace upward from 700 ft. above the surface and from 1,200 ft. above 
the surface at St. Mary's, AK (73 FR 9063). The Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking's airspace description included discussion of 1,200 ft. 
airspace, which is unnecessary in this action. Additionally, the 
airport coordinates are updated in this action to reflect the most 
recent airport survey. The action was proposed in order to create Class 
E airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft while executing SIAPs 
for the St. Mary's Airport. Class E controlled airspace extending 
upward from the surface and from 700 ft. above the surface in the St. 
Mary's 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 
St. Mary's Airport, AK. This Class E airspace is revised to accommodate 
aircraft executing new and amended 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 
Rules (IFR) operations at the St. Mary's Airport, St. Mary's, 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 St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's, AK [Revised]

St. Mary's Airport, AK
    (Lat. 62[deg]03'39'' N., long. 163[deg]18'07'' W.)

    Within a 6.7-mile radius of the St. Mary's Airport, and within 4 
miles either side of the 202[deg] bearing from the St. Mary's 
Airport extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 10 miles south of the 
St. Mary's Airport. This Class E airspace area is effective during 
the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to 
Airmen. The effective

[[Page 31025]]

date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the 
Airport/Facility Directory.

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 St. Mary's, AK [Revised]

St. Mary's, St. Mary's Airport, AK
    (Lat. 62[deg]03'39'' N., long. 163[deg]18'07'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 8.7-mile radius of the St. Mary's Airport, and within 4 
miles east and 8 miles west of the 202[deg] bearing from the St. 
Mary's Airport, extending from the 8.7-mile radius to 16 miles south 
of the St. Mary's Airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on May 16, 2008.
Anthony M. Wylie,
Manager, Alaska Flight Services Information Area Group.
[FR Doc. E8-11982 Filed 5-29-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P