[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59806-59807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23666]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1185; Airspace Docket No. 12-AAL-8]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; White Mountain, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at White Mountain 
Airport, White Mountain, AK, to accommodate aircraft using new 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, December 12, 2013. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this

[[Page 59807]]

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: Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4517.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On December 21, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish controlled airspace 
at White Mountain, Airport, White Mountain, AK (77 FR 75598). 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No 
comments were received.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005, of 
FAA Order 7400.9X dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 
2013, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR Part 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 establishing Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface, at White Mountain Airport, White Mountain, AK. 
Controlled airspace within a 6.3 mile radius of the airport, with 
extensions to the northwest and southeast, is necessary to accommodate 
aircraft using new RNAV (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures 
to/from the en route environment at White Mountain Airport. This action 
is necessary for the safety and management of IFR operations at the 
airport.
    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 
only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified 
this rule, when promulgated, does 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 
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 establishes 
controlled airspace at White Mountain Airport, White Mountain, AK.

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 Part 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9X, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 
2013 is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 White Mountain, AK [New]

White Mountain Airport, AK
    (Lat. 64[deg]41'21'' N., long. 163[deg]24'46'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.3 mile radius of the White Mountain Airport, and within 1 
mile either side of the 344[deg] bearing of the airport extending 
from the 6.3-radius to 11 miles northwest of the airport, and within 
1 mile either side of the 164[deg] bearing of the airport extending 
from the 6.3-radius to 11 miles southeast of the airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on September 19, 2013.
Christopher Ramirez,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-23666 Filed 9-27-13; 8:45 am]
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