[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 190 (Monday, October 3, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59670-59671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-21346]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0578; Airspace Docket No. 21-AWP-60]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification & Removal of Class E Airspace; Valle Airport, AZ

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface, and removes the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Valle Airport, 
Grand Canyon, AZ. Additionally, this action makes administrative 
changes to the existing Class E legal description. These actions will 
ensure the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) 
operations at the airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 29, 2022. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference under 1 CFR 
part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and publication of 
conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11G, 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: Gerald DeVore II, 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 modifes and removes Class E airspace at Valle Airport, Grand 
Canyon, AZ, to support IFR operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the 
Federal Register for FAA-2021-0578 (87 FR 39023; June 30, 2022) that 
proposed to modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface, and remove the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 1,200 feet above the surface at Valle Airport, Grand Canyon, AZ. 
Additionally, the NPRM proposed to make administrative changes to the 
existing Class E legal description. 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 E5 airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005 of 
FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 
15, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class 
E airspace designation 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 7400.11G, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 
15, 2022. FAA Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11G 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 Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Valle Airport, 
Grand Canyon, AZ. This airspace modification removes the extensions 
north and south of the airport, as the extensions are no longer needed. 
Furthermore, to properly contain departing IFR aircraft flying toward 
or over rising terrain to 1,200 feet above the surface, the eastern 
portion of the airspace radius is increased from 6.4 miles to 6.8 
miles.
    Additionally, the FAA is removing the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. This area is contained within 
the Los Angeles Class E airspace designated as a domestic en route 
airspace area, and duplication is not necessary.
    Finally, the FAA is making several administrative modifications to 
the legal description. The city, name, and geographic coordinates at 
Valle Airport, Grand Canyon, AZ are updated to match the FAA's 
database.
    Class E5 airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005 of 
FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 
15, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class 
E airspace designation listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    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

[[Page 59671]]

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 FAA 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 
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

AWP AZ E5 Grand Canyon, AZ [Amended]

Valle Airport, AZ
    (Lat. 35[deg]39'02'' N, long. 112[deg]08'53'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.8-mile radius of the airport beginning at the 020[deg] 
bearing from the airport clockwise to the 190[deg] bearing from the 
airport, and within a 6.4-mile radius of the airport beginning at 
the 190[deg] bearing from the airport clockwise to the 020[deg] 
bearing from the airport.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on September 27, 2022.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2022-21346 Filed 9-30-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P