[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 13, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27179-27180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10867]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0996; Airspace Docket No. 12-AAL-9]


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Kuparuk, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E airspace at Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport, 
Kuparuk, AK. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft 
using the new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) 
standard instrument approach procedures at the airport. This action 
enhances the safety and management of aircraft operations at the 
airport. This action will also make an adjustment to the geographic 
coordinates of the airport.

DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, July 24, 2014. 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: 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 February 5, 2014 the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to modify controlled airspace at 
Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport, Kuparuk, AK (79 FR 6841). 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 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 and establishing Class E airspace extending upward 
from 1,200 feet above the surface at Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport, Kuparuk, AK. 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is 
modified to within a 6.5-mile radius of the airport, with a segment 
extending from the 6.5-mile radius of the airport to 9.5-miles east of 
the airport. The segment of controlled airspace west of the airport is 
removed as it is no longer required. A segment of Class E airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface is established 
within a 20-mile radius of the airport to allow aircraft to transition 
to the overlying airways. This action enhances the safety and 
management of IFR operations at the airport. Also, the geographic 
coordinates of the airport are updated to be in concert with the FAAs 
aeronautical database.
    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 amends 
controlled airspace at Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport, Kuparuk, 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:

[[Page 27180]]

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 7400.9X, 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 Kuparuk, AK [Modified]

Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport, AK
    (Lat. 70[deg]19'50'' N., long. 149[deg]35'53'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport, and within 4 
miles either side of the 078[deg] bearing extending from the Ugnu-
Kuparuk Airport 6.5-mile radius to 9.5 miles east of the airport; 
and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within a 20-mile radius of the Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport; excluding that 
airspace that extends beyond 12 miles of the shoreline.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on April 28, 2014.
Clark Desing,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2014-10867 Filed 5-12-14; 8:45 am]
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