[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 193 (Monday, October 5, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62630-62632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21881]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0825; Airspace Docket No. 20-ANM-27]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of Class D and E airspace; Kalispell, MT

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify Class D airspace at Glacier 
Park International Airport. This action also proposes to modify Class E 
airspace, designated as a surface area. Additionally, this action 
proposes to modify Class E airspace, extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface. Further, this action proposes to modify Class E 
airspace, extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. This 
action also proposes to remove the Smith Lake NDB from the Class E 
airspace legal descriptions. Lastly, this action proposes several 
administrative corrections to the airspace legal descriptions. This 
action would ensure the safety and management of instrument flight 
rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 19, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 
1-800-647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0825; Airspace Docket No. 20-ANM-27, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    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: 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 the Class D and Class E airspace at Glacier Park 
International Airport, Kalispell, MT, to support IFR operations at the 
airport.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as 
they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 
Communications should identify both docket numbers and be submitted in 
triplicate to the address listed above. Persons wishing the FAA to 
acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with 
those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the 
following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. FAA-2020-0825; 
Airspace Docket No. 20-ANM-27''. The postcard will be date/time stamped 
and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received before the specified closing date for 
comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. 
The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of the 
comments received. A report summarizing each substantive public contact 
with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see the ``ADDRESSES'' section for the address and phone number) 
between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the Northwest Mountain Regional Office of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Western Service 
Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S. 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 
98198.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend 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, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations Part 71 by modifying the Class D airspace at Glacier Park 
International Airport, Kalispell, MT. To properly contain IFR aircraft, 
this action proposes to add an extension to the airspace northeast of 
the airport. The airspace area would be described as follows:

[[Page 62631]]

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 5,500 
feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of the airport, and within 1.2 miles 
each side of the 032[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 
4.3-mile radius to 5.6 miles northeast of Glacier Park 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.
    This action also proposes to modify Class E airspace, designated as 
a surface area, to be coincident with the new Class D dimensions. This 
airspace area is also part-time and this action proposes to add the 
appropriate verbiage to the airspace legal description. The airspace 
area would be described as follows: That airspace extending upward from 
the surface within a 4.3-mile radius of the airport, and within 1.2 
miles each side of the 032[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 
from the 4.3-mile radius to 5.6 miles northeast of Glacier Park 
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.
    Additionally, this action proposes to modify Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. The action proposes 
to properly size the airspace to contain IFR departures to 1,200 feet 
above the surface and IFR arrivals descending below 1,500 feet above 
the surface. The airspace area would be described as follows: That 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.5-
mile radius of the airport, and within 2.3 miles each side of the 
138[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 7.5-mile radius 
to 13.4 miles southeast of the airport, and with 2 miles each side of 
the 215[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 7.5-mile 
radius to 19.5 miles southwest of Glacier Park International Airport.
    This action also proposes to modify Class E airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. This area is designed to 
contain IFR aircraft transitioning to/from the terminal and en route 
environments. The airspace area would be described as follows: That 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 
25-mile radius of the airport beginning at the 270[deg] bearing from 
the airport, clockwise to the 090[deg] bearing from the airport, thence 
along the 090[deg] bearing to 45 miles east of the airport, thence 
within a 45-mile radius of the airport clockwise to the 270[deg] 
bearing from the airport, thence along the 270[deg] bearing to the 
point of beginning, 25 miles west of Glacier Park International 
Airport.
    The action proposes to remove the Smith Lake NDB and all references 
to the NDB from the Class E2 and Class E5 text headers and the airspace 
legal descriptions. The navigational aid is not needed to define the 
airspace. Removal of the navigational aid allows the airspace to be 
defined from a single reference point which simplifies how the airspace 
is described.
    Lastly, this action proposes several administrative corrections to 
the airspaces' legal descriptions. In the Class D legal description, 
the last sentence contains the term ``Airport/Facilities Directory'' 
this action proposes to update the term to ``Chart Supplement''. This 
action proposes to remove the city name from the second line of Class 
D, Class E2, and Class E5 the text header. The airport's geographic 
coordinates do not match the FAA database; this action proposes to 
update the geographic coordinates in all of the airspace areas to 
``lat. 48[deg]18'38'' N, long. 114[deg]15'22'' W''
    Class D, E2, and E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000, 6002, and 6005, respectively, 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 
designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order.
    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

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal 
Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ANM MT D Kalispell, MT [Amended]

Glacier Park International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 48[deg]18'38'' N, long. 114[deg]15'22'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
5,500 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of the airport, and within 
1.2 miles each side of the 032[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 5.6 miles northeast of Glacier 
Park 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 Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

ANM MT E2 Kalispell, MT [Amended]

Glacier Park International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 48[deg]18'38'' N, long. 114[deg]15'22'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.3-
mile radius of the airport, and within 1.2 miles each side of the 
032[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.3-mile 
radius to 5.6 miles northeast of Glacier Park International Airport. 
This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific

[[Page 62632]]

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

* * * * *

ANM MT E5 Kalispell, MT [Amended]

Glacier Park International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 48[deg]18'38'' N, long. 114[deg]15'22'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.5-mile radius of the airport, and within 2.3 miles each 
side of the 138[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 
7.5-mile radius to 13.4 miles southeast of the airport, and with 2 
miles each side of the 215[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 
from the 7.5-mile radius to 19.5 miles southwest of the airport; and 
that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within a 25-mile radius of the airport beginning at the 270[deg] 
bearing from the airport, clockwise to the 090[deg] bearing from the 
airport, thence along the 090[deg] bearing to 45 miles east of the 
airport, thence within a 45-mile radius of the airport clockwise to 
the 270[deg] bearing from the airport, thence along the 270[deg] 
bearing to the point of beginning, 25 miles west of Glacier Park 
International Airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on September 18, 2020.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2020-21881 Filed 10-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P