[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36392-36394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13093]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0317; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-63]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Class D and E Airspace, and Removal of Class E 
Airspace; King Salmon Airport, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D and Class E surface area 
airspace, and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface at King Salmon Airport, King Salmon, AK. Additionally, the 
FAA is removing the Class E airspace designated as an extension to 
Class D or Class E airspace, as it is no longer required. Furthermore, 
this action removes a navigational aid (NAVAID) from the legal 
description of the Class E5 text header. Lastly, this action updates 
the Class D and Class E legal descriptions. These actions will ensure 
the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual 
flight rules (VFR) operations at the airport.

[[Page 36393]]


DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, September 8, 2022. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
Title 1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 
7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 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: 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 (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 would modify Class D and Class E airspace, and remove 
Class E airspace at King Salmon Airport, AK, to support IFR and VFR 
operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the 
Federal Register for Docket No. FAA-2022-0317 (87 FR 20794; April 8, 
2022) to modify the Class D and Class E surface airspace, modify Class 
E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and remove 
Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D or Class E 
surface area at King Salmon Airport, AK. 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 D, Class E2, Class E4 and Class E5 airspace designations are 
published in paragraphs 5000, 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 
D and 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, 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 D and 
Class E surface airspace, modifying the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface, and removing the Class E4 
airspace designated as an extension to Class D or Class E surface area 
at King Salmon Airport, King Salmon, AK.
    Both the Class D and Class E surface areas are increased in radius 
to properly contain departures until reaching 700 feet above the 
surface, contain IFR arrivals descending below 1,000 feet above the 
surface, and to contain circling maneuvers at the airport. In addition, 
an extension to the Class D and Class E surface areas is installed to 
the southeast of the airport due to rising terrain. This extension 
contains IFR departures until reaching 700 feet above the surface.
    Similarly, the FAA is installing a shelf to the Class D and Class E 
surface areas. The shelf allows for floatplane operations to and from 
the Naknek River when weather is below VFR minimums at the airport.
    In addition, the FAA is removing the King Salmon Class E airspace, 
designated as an extension to Class D and Class E surface areas, as 
it's no longer needed.
    Furthermore, the FAA is modifying the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface at King Salmon Airport. The 
current radius, which contains departing aircraft until reaching 1,200 
feet above ground level (AGL), is reduced, as the extra coverage is not 
needed. The areas to the southeast and northwest of the airport are 
reduced to more appropriately contain the points at which an arriving 
aircraft would normally descend below 1,500 AGL.
    Moreover, the FAA is increasing the ceiling of the Class D airspace 
to 2,600 feet mean sea level (MSL) to account for the 73-foot airport 
elevation. Class D areas should normally extend upward from the surface 
up to and including 2,500 feet AGL. The altitude must be converted to 
MSL and rounded to the nearest 100 feet.
    Additionally, this action also removes the King Salmon Very High 
Frequency Omnidirectional Range and Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) 
from the Class E5 text header and the airspace description. The NAVAID 
is not required to describe the airspace area, and the removal of the 
NAVAID simplifies the airspace's legal description.
    Finally, the FAA is modifying several administrative portions of 
the King Salmon Airport's legal descriptions. The city name is removed 
from the second line of the Class D, Class E2, and Class E5 airspace 
legal descriptions. The second line should read: ``King Salmon Airport, 
AK.'' Additionally, the current Class D and Class E surface area legal 
descriptions are modified to replace the use of the phrases ``Notice to 
Airmen'' and ``Airport/Facility Directive.'' These phrases should read 
``Notice to Air Missions'' and ``Chart Supplement,'' respectively, in 
both legal descriptions.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11 is published annually and becomes 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

    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

[[Page 36394]]

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 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AAL AK D King Salmon, AK [Amended]

King Salmon Airport, AK
    (Lat. 58[deg]40'35'' N, long. 156[deg]38'55'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,600 feet MSL within a 5.3-mile radius of the King Salmon Airport, 
AK, and within 1.1 miles each side of the 132[deg] bearing extending 
from the 5.3-mile radius to 6.2 miles southeast of the airport, 
excluding that airspace 600 feet MSL and below within 1.5 miles each 
side of the 132[deg] bearing extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 
the 5.3-mile radius of the airport, and excluding that airspace 600 
feet MSL and below within 1.1 miles each side of the 132[deg] 
bearing extending from the 5.3-mile radius to 6.2 miles southeast of 
the airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during the 
specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Air 
Missions. The effective date and time will thereafter be 
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 King Salmon, AK [Amended]

King Salmon Airport, AK
    (Lat. 58[deg]40'35'' N, long. 156[deg]38'55'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 5.3-
mile radius of the King Salmon Airport, AK, and within 1.1 miles 
each side of the 132[deg] bearing extending from the 5.3-mile radius 
to 6.2 miles southeast of the airport, and excluding that airspace 
600 feet MSL and below within 1.5 miles each side of the 132[deg] 
bearing extending from the 4.4-mile radius to the 5.3-mile radius of 
the airport, and excluding that airspace 600 feet MSL and below 
within 1.1 miles each side of the 132[deg] bearing extending from 
the 5.3-mile radius to 6.2 miles southeast of the airport. This 
Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and 
times established in advance by a Notice to Air Missions. The 
effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in 
the Chart Supplement.

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E4 King Salmon, AK [Removed]

King Salmon Airport, AK
    (Lat. 58[deg]40'35'' N, long. 156[deg]38'55'' W)

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 King Salmon, AK [Amended]

King Salmon Airport, AK
    (Lat. 58[deg]40'35'' N, long. 156[deg]38'55'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.8-mile radius of King Salmon Airport, AK, and within 3.3 
miles northeast and 3.2 miles southwest of the 132[deg] bearing 
extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 9.1 miles southeast of the 
airport, and within 3.9 miles each side of the 312[deg] bearing 
extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 13.8 miles northwest of the 
airport; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above 
the surface within a 73-mile radius of the King Salmon Airport, AK, 
excluding that airspace extending beyond 12 miles of the shoreline.

B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2022-13093 Filed 6-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P