[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 205 (Friday, October 23, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64318-64319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26948]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3322; Airspace Docket No. 15-ANM-16]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Vancouver, WA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E surface area airspace at 
Pearson Field, Vancouver, WA, to accommodate existing Standard 
Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPS) at the airport. This enhances 
the safety and management of SIAPs for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) 
operations at the airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 10, 2015. 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.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy and ATC Regulations Group, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 29591; 
telephone: 202-267-8783. The Order is also available for inspection at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-
6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Haga, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4563.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, 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 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 Pearson Field, Vancouver, WA.

History

    On August 27, 2015, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish Class E surface area 
airspace Pearson Field, Vancouver, WA (80 FR 51970). Interested parties 
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting 
written comments on the proposal to the FAA. Eight comments were 
received on the proposal. Seven comments were received supporting the 
proposal. One comment was received from Bryan Painter stating that the 
airport did not need Class E surface airspace. The FAA does not agree. 
The FAA's decision to establish Class E surface airspace at Pearson 
Field is the result of years of collaborative efforts between local 
aircraft owner/operators, airport officials, and the FAA to make the 
airspace safe for aircraft flying within the National Airspace System, 
specifically within Portland International Airport airspace.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6002 of 
FAA Order 7400.9Z, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 
2015, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Class 
E airspace designation listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

[[Page 64319]]

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 
2015. FAA Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists Class A, B, 
C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting 
points.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 establishes Class E surface area airspace, at Pearson Field, 
Vancouver, WA. A review of the airspace revealed current standard 
instrument approach procedures not being fully contained within 
controlled airspace. Class E surface area airspace is established 
within an area 4.9 miles west, 4 miles east, 2.9 miles north, and 1.8 
miles south of Pearson Field.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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, is 
non-controversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
comments. 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 only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that 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.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``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.

Lists 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 Part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(f), 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 FAA Order 7400.9Z, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and 
effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ANM OR E2 Vancouver, WA [New]

Pearson Field, WA
    (Lat. 45[deg]37'14'' N., Long. 122[deg]39'23'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface bounded by a 
line beginning at Lat. 45[deg]36'06'' N., Long. 122[deg]46'29'' W.; 
to Lat. 45[deg]38'27'' N., Long. 122[deg]46'19'' W.; to Lat. 
45[deg]40'21'' N., Long. 122[deg]44'08'' W.; to Lat. 45[deg]39'49'' 
N., Long. 122[deg]33'23'' W.; to Lat. 45[deg]34'51'' N., Long. 
122[deg]33'53'' W.; thence to the point of beginning.


    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on October 15, 2015.
Christopher Ramirez,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2015-26948 Filed 10-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P