[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 73 (Tuesday, April 16, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22415-22416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08825]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0853; Airspace Docket No. 12-ANM-23]


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Astoria, OR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E airspace at Astoria Regional 
Airport, Astoria, OR, to accommodate aircraft using Area Navigation 
(RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach 
procedures at the airport. This improves the safety and management of 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, June 27, 2013. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR Part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eldon Taylor, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On October 9, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to modify controlled airspace at 
Astoria, OR (77 FR 61306). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. The Western Flight 
Procedures Office reassessed the proposal and on January 25, 2013, the 
FAA published in the Federal Register a supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking (SNPRM) to also modify the north extension west of Astoria 
Regional Airport, Astoria, OR (78 FR 5325). Interested parties were 
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written 
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. This 
action modifies the north extension west of the airport from within 6 
miles north to within 11 miles north of the airport 268[deg] degree 
bearing. The airspace extension will accommodate missed approach 
holding for RNAV (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures. This 
will add a small area of airspace 700 feet above the surface to the 
west of Astoria Regional Airport, Astoria, OR.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005, of 
FAA Order 7400.9W dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 
2012, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E 
airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in that Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
Part 71 by modifying Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface, at Astoria Regional Airport, to accommodate IFR 
aircraft executing RNAV (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures 
at the airport. Also, to accommodate the modified procedure design 
missed approach holding for the RNAV (GPS) standard instrument approach 
procedure the FAA has added Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface to the west of Astoria Regional Airport. 
Extending from the airport 268[deg] bearing to 17.5 miles west, the 
airspace is changed from within 6 miles north of the 268[deg] bearing 
to 11 miles north. Except for the airspace modification mentioned 
above, this rule is the same as published in the NPRM. This action is 
necessary for the safety and management of IFR operations.
    The FAA has determined this regulation only involves an established 
body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments 
are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this 
regulation: (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 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 U.S. 
Code. Subtitle 1, Section 106 discusses 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 I, Section 40103. Under that section, the FAA is charged with

[[Page 22416]]

prescribing regulations to assign the use of airspace necessary to 
ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace. This 
regulation is within the scope of that authority as it modifies 
controlled airspace at Astoria Regional Airport, Astoria, OR.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action is not expected to 
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air)

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR 
TRAFFIC SERVICE 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 the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9W, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 
2012 is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

ANM OR E5 Astoria, OR [Modified]

Astoria Regional Airport, Astoria, OR
    (Lat. 46[deg]09'29'' N., long. 123[deg]52'43'' W.)
Seaside Municipal Airport
    (Lat. 46[deg]00'54'' N., long. 123[deg]54'28'' W.)

    That airspace extending from 700 feet above the surface within a 
7-mile radius of Astoria Regional Airport; and within 11 miles north 
and 8.3 miles south of the Astoria Regional Airport 268[deg] bearing 
extending from the 7-mile radius to 17.5 miles west of Astoria 
Regional Airport, excluding the portion within a 1.8-mile radius of 
Seaside Municipal Airport; and within 4 miles northeast and 8.3 
miles southwest of the Astoria Regional Airport 326[deg] bearing 
extending from the 7-mile radius to 21.4 miles northwest of Astoria 
Regional Airport; and within 4 miles each side of the Astoria 
Regional Airport 096[deg] bearing extending from the 7-mile radius 
to 12 miles east of Astoria Regional Airport; and within 8.3 miles 
north and 4 miles south of the Astoria Regional Airport 096[deg] 
bearing from 12 miles east, to 28.3 miles east of Astoria Regional 
Airport; and within a 15.9-mile radius of Astoria Regional Airport 
extending clockwise from the 326[deg] bearing to the 347[deg] 
bearing of the airport; and within a 23.1-mile radius of Astoria 
Regional Airport extending clockwise from the 347[deg] bearing to 
the 039[deg] bearing of the airport extending from the 15.9-mile 
radius to a 23.1-mile radius of Astoria Regional Airport extending 
clockwise from the airport 039[deg] bearing to the airport 185[deg] 
bearing.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on April 2, 2013.
Clark Desing,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-08825 Filed 4-15-13; 8:45 am]
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