[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 25 (Monday, February 7, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6804-6806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02454]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0030; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-54]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Modification of Class E Airspace; Sitka Rocky Gutierrez 
Airport, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace, 
designated as a surface area. The Class E2 airspace to the northwest of 
the airport requires modification to properly contain instrument flight 
rules (IFR) aircraft descending below 1,000 feet above the surface of 
the earth. Additionally, this action proposes to remove Class E 
airspace, designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E2 surface 
area. Lastly, this action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface of the earth at Sitka Rocky 
Gutierrez Airport, AK. This action would ensure the safety and 
management of IFR operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 24, 2022.

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-2022-0030; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-54, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 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. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is also available for inspection at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on 
the availability of FAA Order JO 7400.11F at NARA, email 
[email protected] or go to https://

[[Page 6805]]

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathan A. Chaffman, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3460.

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 modify the Class E airspace at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez 
Airport, AK, 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-2022-0030; 
Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-54''. 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 JO 7400.11F, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective 
September 15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as 
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F 
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 14 CFR part 71 by modifying 
the Class E airspace designated as a surface area at Sitka Rocky 
Gutierrez Airport, AK. The Class E surface airspace area northwest of 
the airport requires modification to properly contain IFR aircraft 
descending below 1,000 feet above the surface of the earth. The LDA/DME 
RWY 11 approach procedure turn area currently extends 28.3 miles to the 
northwest, but the area should be reduced due to the proposed 
elimination of the LDA/DME RWY 11 approach procedure turn. This 
reduction would require additional Class E surface area airspace in the 
northwest to appropriately contain IFR aircraft descending below 1,000 
feet above the surface of the earth. Furthermore, the Class E surface 
airspace area southeast of the airport requires modification to the 
area. The proposed increase would properly contain IFR departures until 
reaching 700 feet above the surface of the earth. Finally, the Class E 
surface area airspace requires a reduction northeast of the airport. 
Circling approaches are not applicable on the northeast side of the 
airport and the airspace in that area is not necessary.
    This action also proposes to remove the Class E airspace, 
designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area. This 
airspace is no longer required due to the proposed removal of the LDA/
DME RWY 11 approach procedure turn.
    Lastly, this action proposes to modify the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the earth. The area 
northwest of the airport should be extended to the northwest, and the 
area southwest of the airport requires minor adjustment to more 
appropriately contain arriving IFR aircraft descending below 1,500 feet 
above the surface of the earth and departing IFR aircraft until 
reaching 1,200 feet above the surface of the earth. Additionally, the 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of 
the earth requires a reduction northeast of the airport. Circling 
approaches are not applicable on the northeast side of the airport and 
the airspace in that area is not necessary.
    Class E2, Class E4, and Class E5 airspace designations are 
published in paragraphs 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA 
Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 
2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E 
airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    FAA Order JO 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

[[Page 6806]]

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 JO 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Sitka, AK [Amended]

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57[deg]02'49'' N, long. 135[deg]21'40'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.1-
mile radius of the airport beginning at the 105[deg] bearing from 
the airport clockwise to the 337[deg] bearing from the airport, then 
to the point of beginning 4.1 miles east of the airport, and within 
2.7 miles each side of the 150[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 6.6 miles southeast of the 
airport, and within 1.5 miles each side of the 209[deg] bearing from 
the airport extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 4.4 miles 
southwest of the airport, and within 1.2 miles each side of the 
314[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.1-mile radius 
to 6 miles northwest of the airport, and within 1.1 miles each side 
of the 320[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.1-mile 
radius to 5.2 miles northwest of the airport.

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D or Class E2 Surface Area.

* * * * *

AAL AK E4 Sitka, AK [Removed]

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57[deg]02'49'' N, long. 135[deg]21'40'' W)

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Sitka, AK [Amended]

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57[deg]02'49'' N, long. 135[deg]21'40'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.3-mile radius of the airport beginning at the 102[deg] 
bearing from the airport clockwise to the 357[deg] bearing from the 
airport, then to the point of beginning 7.3 miles east of the 
airport, and within 4.6 miles each side of the 212[deg] bearing from 
the airport, extending from the 7.3-mile radius to 25.2 miles 
southwest of the airport, and within 4.5 miles each side of the 
316[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 7.3-mile radius 
to 9.8 miles northwest of the airport; excluding that airspace that 
extends beyond 12 miles from the coast.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on February 1, 2022.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2022-02454 Filed 2-4-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P