[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19617-19619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09107]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0855; Airspace Docket No. 17-ANM-17]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and E Airspace and Revocation of Class E 
Airspace; Pocatello, ID

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends controlled airspace at Pocatello Regional 
Airport, Pocatello, ID, by amending Class D airspace and Class E 
airspace designated as a surface area; removing Class E airspace 
designated as an extension to a Class D or E surface area; and amending 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. 
Also, this action updates the airport's geographic coordinates for the 
associated Class D and E airspace areas to reflect the FAA's current 
aeronautical database. Additionally, reference to the Pocatello VHF 
Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) is removed from 
the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
description. This action enhances the safety and management of 
instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, July 19, 2018. 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 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11B, 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 Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 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 
https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Clark, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 2200 
S. 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-2253.

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

[[Page 19618]]

scope of that authority as it modifies Class D and E airspace at 
Pocatello Regional Airport, Pocatello, ID, in support of instrument 
flight rules operations at the airport.

History

    On December 19, 2017, the FAA published in the Federal Register (82 
FR 60130) Docket FAA-2017-0855, a notice of proposed rulemaking to 
modify Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class E 
airspace designated as an extension, and Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Pocatello Regional Airport, 
Pocatello, ID. 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 D and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 
5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11B, dated 
August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, which is incorporated 
by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and E airspace designations 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 
2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by:
    Amending Class D airspace at Pocatello Regional Airport, Pocatello, 
ID, by raising the vertical limit to 7,000 feet (from 6,900 feet) and 
increasing the airspace south of the airport to a 5.6-mile radius (from 
a 4.5-mile radius) to laterally protect IFR departures as they climb to 
700 feet above the surface, due to rising terrain;
    Amending Class E surface area airspace to be coincident with the 
Class D airspace area;
    Removing Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D 
or Class E surface area as it contains no arrival aircraft within 1,000 
feet of the surface, and is not necessary;
    Amending Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface to reduce the area southwest of the airport and slightly 
increase the area south of the airport. This redesign is necessary to 
ensure sufficient controlled airspace to contain IFR arrival aircraft 
within 1,500 feet above the surface and IFR departure aircraft until 
reaching 1,200 feet above the surface. The VORTAC navigation aid noted 
in the description is removed, as it no longer defines the boundary of 
the airspace. In addition, this action establishes airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at the airport within 15 miles 
northwest and 5 miles southeast of a line extending from 15 miles 
southwest of the airport to 43 miles northeast of the airport. This 
provides controlled airspace to support aircraft operations under IFR 
as aircraft transition between the en route and airport environments.
    Lastly, this action updates the airport's geographic coordinates 
for the associated Class D and E airspace areas to reflect the FAA's 
current aeronautical database, and replaces the outdated term 
``Airport/Facility Directory'' with the term ``Chart Supplement'' in 
the Class D and Class E surface airspace legal descriptions. These 
modifications are necessary for the safety and management of IFR 
operations at the airport.

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, will 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 5-6.5a. 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 7400.11B, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and 
effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:

ANM ID D Pocatello, ID [Amended]

Pocatello Regional Airport, ID
    (Lat. 42[deg]54'35'' N, long. 112[deg]35'45'' W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
7,000 feet MSL within a 4.5-mile radius of Pocatello Regional 
Airport from the airport 195[deg] bearing clockwise to the airport 
168[deg] bearing, and within a 5.6-mile radius of the airport from 
the airport 168[deg] bearing clockwise to the airport 195[deg] 
bearing. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific 
dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in 
the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas

* * * * *

ANM ID E2 Pocatello, ID [Amended]

Pocatello Regional Airport, ID
    (Lat. 42[deg]54'35'' N, long. 112[deg]35'45'' W)

That airspace within a 4.5-mile radius of Pocatello Regional Airport 
from the airport 195[deg] bearing clockwise to the airport 168[deg] 
bearing, and within a 5.6-mile radius of the airport from the 
airport 168[deg] bearing clockwise to the airport 195[deg] bearing. 
This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates 
and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in 
the Chart Supplement.

[[Page 19619]]

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D or Class E Surface Area

* * * * *

ANM ID E4 Pocatello, ID [Removed]

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth

* * * * *

ANM ID E5 Pocatello, ID [Amended]

Pocatello Regional Airport, ID
    (Lat. 42[deg]54'35'' N, long. 112[deg]35'45'' W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within 7.8 miles northwest and 5 miles southeast of the 045[deg] 
bearing from Pocatello Regional Airport extending to 21 miles 
northeast of the airport, and within 7.8 miles northwest and 5 miles 
southeast of the 225[deg] bearing from the airport extending to 10.8 
miles southwest of the airport. That airspace extending upward from 
1,200 feet above the surface within 15 miles northwest and 5 miles 
southeast of the 045[deg] bearing from Pocatello Regional Airport 
extending to 43 miles northeast of the airport, and within 15 miles 
northwest and 5 miles southeast of the 225[deg] bearing from the 
airport extending to 15 miles southwest of the airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on April 23, 2018.
B. G. Chew,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2018-09107 Filed 5-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P