[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32981-32982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11591]
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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
Modification of Class E Airspace, and Revocation of Class E
Airspace; Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class E airspace, designated as a
surface area, to properly contain instrument flight rules aircraft
descending below 1,000 feet above the surface of the Earth.
Additionally, this action removes Class E airspace, designated as an
extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, because it is no longer
needed. Lastly, this action modifies Class E airspace extending upward
from 700 feet above the surface of the earth at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez
Airport, AK. This action ensures the safety and management of
instrument flight rules operations at the airport.
DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, July 14, 2022. 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 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerald DeVore, 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 would modify Class E airspace to support instrument flight rules
operations at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the
Federal Register for FAA-2022-0030 to modify the Class E surface
airspace (87 FR 6804; February 7, 2022), revoke an area that is
designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, and
modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the
surface at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK. Interested parties were
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written
comments on the proposal to the FAA. One comment was received in favor
of the proposal.
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.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document amends 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 Rule
The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by modifying the Class E
airspace at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK. The Class E airspace
designated as surface area is modified, the Class E airspace area
designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area
airspace is revoked, and the Class E airspace area extending upward
from 700 feet or more above the surface is modified to contain
instrument flight rules operations at airport.
The Class E airspace, designated as surface area, northwest of the
airport is modified to contain instrument flight rules aircraft
descending below 1,000 feet above the surface of the Earth, to contain
departures until reaching the Class E airspace extending upward from
700 feet or more above the surface. Additionally the Class E airspace,
designated as surface area, was reduced northeast of the airspace since
it was no longer needed.
This action also removes 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 removal of the LDA/DME RWY 11 approach
procedure turn.
Lastly, this action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward
from 700 feet or more above the surface. The areas northwest and
southwest of the airport are extended to contain arriving aircraft
descending below 1,500 feet above the surface. The Class E airspace
extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface to the
southwest of the airport is extended to contain departing instrument
flight rules aircraft until reaching 1,200 feet above the surface of
the Earth. The Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more
above the surface area northeast of the airport is removed because it
is no longer needed.
FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
is published yearly and effective on September 15.
[[Page 32982]]
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 the 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 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 E 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 April 25, 2022.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2022-11591 Filed 5-31-22; 8:45 am]
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