[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 71 (Thursday, April 15, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19780-19781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07667]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1193; Airspace Docket No. 20-AAL-28]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Hughes, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface at Hughes Airport, Hughes, AK, to 
accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) procedures. This action will 
ensure the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) 
operations within the National Airspace System.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, June 17, 2021. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR 
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 (U.S.C.). 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 will establish Class E airspace to support new RNAV 
procedures at Hughes Airport, Hughes AK, for the safety and management 
of aircraft within the National Airspace System.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (86 FR 6279; January 21, 2021) for Docket No. FAA-2020-1193 to 
establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
earth at Hughes Airport, Hughes AK, in support of IFR operations. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. Two 
comments were received. One commenter supported the establishment of 
airspace in support of IFR operations. The other commenter stated that 
the new airspace would cause people to stay at an unsafe altitude when 
flying in poor weather. The FAA does not concur. This new volume of 
airspace does not preclude aircraft from flying in this area, but will 
provide additional protection in marginal weather. The floor of the new 
airspace will be 700 feet AGL versus 1,200 feet AGL. It will expand the 
basic VFR weather minimums visibility requirement, in this airspace, 
from 1 mile to 3 miles and the clearance from clouds will change from 
clear of clouds to 500 feet below the clouds, 1,000 feet above and 
2,000 feet horizontally. The new airspace expands the opportunity for 
operations in both instrument and visual meteorological conditions and 
increases the efficiency of the airport and safety of operations in the 
area.
    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

[[Page 19781]]

document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace 
areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by establishing Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Hughes Airport, 
Hughes AK.
    The Class E airspace will be established within a 3.8-mile radius 
of the airport and within an area 2 miles each side of the 194[deg] 
bearing extending from the airport 6.4 miles south. This area will 
protect aircraft on approach to runway 36 as they descend through 1,500 
feet above ground level (AGL). In addition, an extension in the shape 
of a dogleg will be established 1.8 miles each side of the 14[deg] 
bearing extending from the 3.8-mile radius to 6 miles north of the 
airport and then 1.8 miles each side of the 39[deg] bearing from a 
point in space, lat. 66[deg]08'14'' N, long. 154[deg]12'17'' W, forming 
an angle that extends from the 3.8-mile radius northeast 9.5 miles from 
the airport. This section will protect aircraft on approach to runway 
18 descending through 1,500 feet AGL and those aircraft on departure 
until reaching 1,200 feet AGL.
    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 6005 Class E Airspace.

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Hughes, AK [New]

Hughes Airport, AK
    (66[deg]02'21'' N, 154[deg]15'53'' W)

    That airspace within a 3.8-mile radius of Hughes Airport, AK, 
and that airspace 2 miles each side of the 194[deg] bearing 
extending from the 3.8-mile radius south 6.4 miles from the airport, 
and that airspace extending from the 3.8-mile radius beginning 1.8 
miles west of the 14[deg] bearing to lat. 66[deg]08'55'' N, long. 
154[deg]16'32'' W to lat. 66[deg]12'15'' N, long. 154[deg]10'06'' W 
to lat. 66[deg]10'03'' N, long. 154[deg]03'03'' W to lat. 
66[deg]07'23'' N, long. 154[deg]08'18'' W to the point on the 3.8-
mile radius 1.8 miles east of the 14[deg] bearing.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on April 9, 2021.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2021-07667 Filed 4-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P