[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12432-12434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04260]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0761; Airspace Docket No. 19-ANM-18]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Missoula, MT

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace designated as an extension 
to a Class D or Class E surface area at the Missoula International 
Airport, Missoula, MT. This action also amends the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 above the surface at the airport. 
Additionally, the action amends the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 1,200 above the surface at the airport. Further, this action 
removes the Missoula VORTAC from the legal description. Lastly, the 
action makes administrative updates to the Class D and Class E2 legal 
descriptions.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, May 21, 2020. 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 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://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 FAA Order 7400.11D at NARA, email [email protected] 
or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Van Der Wal, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3695.

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 would amend Class D and Class E airspace at Missoula 
International Airport, Missoula, MT, to ensure the safety and 
management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (84 FR 54792; October 11, 2019) for Docket No. FAA-2019-0761 
to amend Class E airspace at Missoula International Airport, Missoula, 
MT. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. The 
FAA received one non-substantive comment discussing the potential 
impact on property values in the area. Though the comment isn't 
substantive, this action reduces the lateral boundaries for most of the 
Class E airspace established for the Missoula International Airport. 
The radius of the Class E airspace designated as a surface area will 
not change. The lateral boundaries of one area to the southeast of the 
airport will increase slightly.
    Subsequent to the publication of the NPRM, the FAA determined that 
a minor modification to one Class E airspace area, designated as an 
extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, would be beneficial. 
The NPRM defined this area as; within 0.7 miles each side of the 
142[deg] bearing extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 5.6 miles 
southeast of the airport. The NPRM definition created a small space or 
gap between this area and a nearby area of similar airspace. 
Additionally, the minimum distance authorized for the width of 
controlled airspace along a bearing is 1.0 mile. To remove this gap, 
enhance aeronautical charting and meet the minimum requirement for 
airspace widths, the area will be defined as; within 1.0 miles 
northeast and 1.2 miles southwest of the 142[deg] bearing from the 
airport, extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 5.6 miles southeast of 
the airport.

[[Page 12433]]

    Class D, Class E2, Class E4, and Class E5 airspace designations are 
published in paragraphs 5000, 6002, 6004 and 6005, respectively, of FAA 
Order 7400.11D, dated August 8, 2018, and effective September 15, 2019, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace 
designation 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 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 
2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D 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 modifies Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D 
or Class E surface areas at Missoula International Airport as follows: 
That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.2 miles each 
side of the 310[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-
mile radius to 10.8 miles northwest of the airport, and within 1.3 
miles each side of the 295[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 
from the 4.4-mile radius to 5.6 miles northwest of the airport, and 
within 1.0 mile northeast and 1.2 miles southwest of the 142[deg] 
bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 5.6 
miles southeast of the airport, and within 1.5 miles each side of the 
171[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile radius 
to 10.6 miles south of the Missoula International Airport.
    This action also modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface as follows: That airspace extending upward 
from the surface within 3.5 miles each side of the 311[deg] bearing 
from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 22.3 miles 
northwest of the airport, and within 1.6 miles west and 4.3 miles east 
of the 179[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile 
radius to 15.2 miles south of the Missoula International Airport.
    Additionally, this action amends Class E airspace extending upward 
from 1,200 feet above the surface as follows: That airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 35-mile radius of the 
Missoula International Airport.
    Further, this action removes the Missoula VORTAC from the legal 
description.
    Lastly, this action applies an administrative update to the Class D 
and Class E2 legal descriptions, replacing the term ``Airport/Facility 
Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement.''
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule, when promulgated, would 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.

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(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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ANM MT D Missoula, MT [Amended]

Missoula International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 46[deg]54'59'' N, long. 114[deg]05'26'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
5,700 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of the Missoula 
International Airport. 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 MT E2 Missoula, MT [Amended]

Missoula International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 46[deg]54'59'' N, long. 114[deg]05'26'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.4-
mile radius of the Missoula International Airport. 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.

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

* * * * *

ANM MT E4 Missoula, MT [Amended]

Missoula International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 46[deg]54'59'' N, long. 114[deg]05'26'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.2 miles 
each side of the 310[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from 
the 4.4-mile radius to 10.8 miles northwest of the airport, and 
within 1.3 miles each side of the 295[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 5.6 miles northwest of the 
airport, and within 1.0 mile northeast and 1.2 miles southwest of 
the 142[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile 
radius to 5.6 miles southeast of the airport, and within 1.5 miles 
each side of the Missoula 171[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 4.4-mile radius of the airport to 10.6 miles 
south of the Missoula International Airport.

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

* * * * *

ANM MT E5 Missoula, MT [Amended]

Missoula International Airport, MT

[[Page 12434]]

    (Lat. 46[deg]54'59'' N, long. 114[deg]05'26'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within 3.5 miles each side of the 311[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 22.3 miles northwest of the 
airport, and within 1.6 miles west and 4.3 miles east of the 
179[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile 
radius to 15.2 miles south of the airport, and that airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 35-mile 
radius of the Missoula International Airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on February 26, 2020.
Shawn M. Kozica,
Group Manager, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-04260 Filed 3-2-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P