[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 15, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57085-57086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-20229]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0346; Airspace Docket No. 17-AAL-2]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Cordova, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class E surface area airspace and the 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet and 1,200 feet above 
the surface of the earth at Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport, Cordova, 
AK, eliminates references to the Glacier River Non-Directional Beacon 
(NDB) and updates the Airport's geographic coordinates to match the 
FAA's current aeronautical database. This action supports Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) operations under standard instrument approach and 
departure procedures in the National Airspace System.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 31, 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 7400.11E, 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 7400.11E at NARA, 
email [email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S. 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-2245.

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 modifies Class E surface area airspace and Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet and 1,200 feet above the surface of the 
earth at Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport, Cordova, AK, in support of 
IFR operations.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (85 FR 35229; June 9, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2017-0346 to 
modify Class E airspace at Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport, Cordova, 
AK, in support of IFR operations at the airport. 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 7400.11E, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 
2020, 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 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 
2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas,

[[Page 57086]]

air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by modifying the Class E surface 
area and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 and 1,200 feet AGL 
at Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport, Cordova, AK. The FAA completed an 
airspace review after the airport was identified as having Class E 
airspace established, in error, beyond 12 nautical miles from the 
shoreline. This action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward 
from the surface by removing that airspace 3.2 miles northwest and 2.1 
miles southeast of the 222[deg] bearing from the Glacier River NDB 
extending 10 miles southwest of the airport. This action also removes 
the airspace 2 miles each side of the 124[deg] bearing from the Glacier 
River NDB extending 10.4 miles southeast of the airport. This airspace 
is no longer needed because of the implementation of Area Navigation 
(RNAV) approaches to Runways 27 and 09. In addition, this action 
modifies that airspace 2 miles each side of the 115[deg] bearing to 1 
mile each side of the 113[deg] bearing from the airport extending 5.5 
miles southeast of the airport. This modification provides protection 
for aircraft descending to 1,000 feet on the Instrument Landing System 
(ILS) approach to Runway 27.
    The Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface is modified to that airspace within 6.6 miles of the airport 
from the point that the 82[deg] bearing intersects the 6.6-mile radius 
clockwise to the point that the 309[deg] bearing intersects the 6.6-
mile radius, and includes that airspace 2 miles each side of the 
113[deg] bearing extending 16 miles southeast of the airport. This area 
protects aircraft on departure until reaching 1,200 feet AGL and 
aircraft as they descend through 1,500 feet on the ILS approach to 
Runway 27.
    The airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface is 
reduced to within 20 miles of the airport to provide protection for 
aircraft above 1,500 feet AGL while transitioning to the enroute 
environment.
    The reference in the legal description to the Glacier River NDB is 
removed as the airspace is being redesigned without the use of this 
reference. In addition, this action updates the geographic coordinates 
of the airport to match the FAA's current aeronautical database. This 
action supports IFR operations under standard instrument approach and 
departure procedures in the National Airspace System.
    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 (E.O.) 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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Cordova, AK [Modified]

Merle K (Mudhole) Smith, AK
    (Lat. 60[deg]29'30'' N, long. 145[deg]28'39'' W)

    That airspace within a 4.1-mile radius of the Merle K (Mudhole) 
Smith Airport beginning at a point where the 69[deg] bearing from 
the Airport intersects the 4.1-mile radius clockwise to a point 
where the 322[deg] bearing from the Airport intersects the 4.1-mile 
radius, thence to the point of beginning and within 1 mile each side 
of the 113[deg] bearing from the Airport extending from the 4.1-mile 
radius to 5.5 miles southeast of the Airport.

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Cordova, AK [Modified]

Merle K (Mudhole) Smith, AK
    (Lat. 60[deg]29'30'' N, long. 145[deg]28'39'' W)

    That airspace within a 6.6-mile radius of the Merle K (Mudhole) 
Smith Airport, beginning where the 82[deg] bearing from the Airport 
intersects the 6.6-mile radius clockwise to the point where the 
309[deg] bearing intersects the 6.6-mile radius, thence to the point 
of beginning and that airspace 2 miles each side of the 113[deg] 
bearing from the Airport extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 16 
miles southeast from the airport, and that airspace extending upward 
from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 20-mile radius of the 
airport, excluding that airspace more than 12 miles from the 
shoreline.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on September 8, 2020.
Byron Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2020-20229 Filed 9-14-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P