[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 145 (Friday, July 29, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45725-45727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16221]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0764; Airspace Docket No. 21-ANM-37]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Bozeman 
Yellowstone International Airport, MT

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class D and E surface 
areas, the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a Class 
D or Class E surface area, and the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface at Bozeman Yellowstone International 
Airport, MT. Additionally, this action proposes several administrative 
amendments to update the airport's legal descriptions. These actions 
will ensure the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) 
and visual flight rules (VFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 12, 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-2022-0764; Airspace Docket No. 21-ANM-37, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at 
www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at 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. 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 at Bozeman Yellowstone 
International Airport, MT, to support IFR and VFR 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-2022-0764; 
Airspace Docket No. 21-ANM-37.'' 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 www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at 
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 
Class D and Class E surface areas, the Class E airspace area designated 
as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, the Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and the 
Class E airspace designated as en route domestic airspace area at 
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, MT.
    Class D airspace is intended to contain IFR arrival operations 
while between the surface and 1,000 feet above the surface, and IFR 
departure operations while between the surface and the base of adjacent 
controlled airspace. The current Class D airspace radius is 5.4 miles, 
which is excessive. This radius should be reduced to 4.9 miles, as 
additional airspace is not necessary. The Class D airspace should be 
expanded to the southeast of the airport due to rising terrain, as it's 
needed to contain departures until reaching 700 feet above the surface.
    The Class E surface airspace should be amended to be coincident 
with the

[[Page 45726]]

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport's Class D airspace legal 
description.
    The Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D 
or Class E surface area should be removed southwest of the airport, as 
it is no longer needed. The Class E airspace area designated as an 
extension to a Class D or Class E surface area northwest of the airport 
should be modified to more appropriately contain arrivals on the ILS/
LOC RWY 12 approach.
    The Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface around Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport should be 
reduced from a 13.5-mile radius to a 6.9-mile radius around the 
airport, as additional airspace is not necessary to contain IFR 
departures flying toward or over rising terrain. The Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface northwest of the 
airport should be reduced, as the existing airspace is excessive and 
not necessary. Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface should be extended southeast of the airport to contain IFR 
departures until reaching 1,200 feet above the surface, and IFR 
arrivals descending below 1,500 feet above the surface.
    Finally, the FAA proposes several administrative modifications to 
the airport's legal descriptions. The Bozeman Yellowstone International 
Airport geographic coordinates in the Class D and Class E legal 
descriptions should be updated to match the FAA's database. The Class D 
and Class E2 legal descriptions should also be updated to replace the 
outdated use of the phrases ``Notice to Airmen,'' and ``Airport/
Facility Directory.'' These phrases should be amended to read ``Notice 
to Air Missions'' and ``Chart Supplement,'' respectively, to align with 
the FAA's current nomenclature.
    Class D, E2, E4, E5, and E6 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000, 6002, 6004, 6005, and 6006, 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.
    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 
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 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ANM MT D Bozeman, MT [Amended]

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 45[deg]46'38'' N, long. 111[deg]09'01'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
7,000 feet MSL within a 4.9-mile radius of Bozeman Yellowstone 
International Airport, and within 2.0 miles each side of the 
146[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.9-mile radius 
of the airport to 6.5 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 Areas Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

ANM MT E2 Bozeman, MT [Amended]

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 45[deg]46'38'' N, long. 111[deg]09'01'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.9-
mile radius of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, and within 
2.0 miles each side of the 146[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 4.9-mile radius of the airport to 6.5 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 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D or Class E.

* * * * *

ANM MT E4 Bozeman, MT [Amended]

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 45[deg]46'38'' N, long. 111[deg]09'01'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3.4 miles 
each side of the 316[deg] bearing from the Bozeman Yellowstone 
International Airport extending from the 4.9- mile radius of the 
airport to 13.5 miles northwest of the airport.

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

* * * * *

ANM MT E5 Bozeman, MT [Amended]

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 45[deg]46'38'' N, long. 111[deg]09'01'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.9-mile radius from the Bozeman Yellowstone International 
Airport, and within 1.8 miles each side of the 131[deg] bearing from 
the airport extending from the 6.9-mile radius to 14.3 miles 
southeast of the airport, and within 2.7 miles northeast and 2.9 
miles southwest of the 155[deg] bearing from the airport extending 
from the 6.9-mile radius to 10.6 miles southeast of the airport, and 
within 3.6 miles each side of the 316[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 6.9-mile radius to 15.5 miles northwest of the 
airport.

Paragraph 6006 En Route Domestic Airspace Areas.

* * * * *

ANM MT E6 Bozeman, MT [Amended]

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, MT

[[Page 45727]]

    (Lat. 45[deg]46'38'' N, long. 111[deg]09'01'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within a 50-mile radius of the Bozeman Yellowstone International 
Airport, excluding existing lateral limits of controlled airspace 
12,000 feet MSL and above.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on July 19, 2022.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2022-16221 Filed 7-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P