[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 122 (Monday, June 24, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32372-32374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15985]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 96-AAL-2]
Proposed Revision of Class E Airspace; Wrangell, St. Paul Island,
Petersburg, and Sitka, AK; Establishment of Class E Airspace at Noatak,
AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to revise Class E airspace at Wrangell,
St. Paul Island, Petersburg, and Sitka, AK, and establish Class E
airspace at Noatak, AK. The FAA has developed Global Positioning System
(GPS) instrument approach procedures at Wrangell Airport, James A.
Johnson Airport (Petersburg), and Sitka Airport; a Microwave Landing
System (MLS) approach procedure at St. Paul Island Airport; and Non-
directional beacon (NDB)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) approach
procedure at Noatak Airport, Alaska. Changes to the Wrangell airspace
incorporated a new Wrangell Localizer course, provided new segment
widths, and will declutter the chart depiction. Changes to the
Petersburg airspace incorporated protected airspace for transition to
approach, provided new segment widths to Fredericks Point NDB 140 deg.
bearing, corrected the misspelling of Level Island, and changed the
altitude needed for the missed approaches. Changes to the Sitka
airspace incorporated protected airspace for the holding pattern.
Changes to the St. Paul Island airspace incorporated new coordinates
for the airport and non-directional beacon. Noatak Class E airspace
will be established for NDB/DME instrument approach procedures. This
action will change the Noatak Airport status from Visual Flight Rules
(VFR) to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
[[Page 32373]]
The areas would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference.
The intended effect of this proposal is to provide adequate Class E
airspace to contain IFR operations in controlled airspace.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 12, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager,
System Management Branch, AAL-530, Docket No. 96-AAL-2, Federal
Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK
99513-7587.
The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant
Chief Counsel for the Alaskan Region at the same address.
An informal docket may also be examined during normal business
hours in the Office of the Manager, System Management Branch, Air
Traffic Division, at the address shown above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert van Haastert, System Management Branch, AAL-538, Federal
Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK
99513-7587; telephone number (907) 271-5902.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 the airspace docket number and be
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters 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 Airspace Docket No.96-
AAL-2.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the
commenter. All communications received on or 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 comments received. All comments submitted will be available
for examination in the System Management Branch, Air Traffic Division,
Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14,
Anchorage, AK, both before and after the closing date for comments. A
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.
Availability of NPRM's
Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the System Management Branch, AAL-
530, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14,
Anchorage, AK 99513-7587. Communications must identify the notice
number of this NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing
list for future NPRM's should also request a copy of Advisory Circular
No. 11-2A which describes the application procedure.
The Proposal
The FAA is considering an amendment to part 71 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to modify Class E airspace at
Wrangell, St. Paul Island, Petersburg, and Sitka, AK, and establishing
Class E airspace at Noatak, AK. The FAA has developed IFR approach and
departure procedures using Global Positioning System (GPS) at Wrangell
Airport, James A. Johnson Airport (Petersburg), and Sitka Airport; a
Microwave Landing System (MLS) approach procedures at St. Paul Island
Airport; and NDB/DME approach procedures at Noatak, Alaska. The
Wrangell airspace will incorporate a new Wrangell Localizer course,
provide new segment widths, and the area chart will have a cleaner,
less cluttered depiction. The Petersburg airspace will incorporate
protected airspace for the transition to approach, provide new segment
widths along the Fredericks Point NDB 140 deg. bearing, corrected the
spelling of Level Island, and lowered the altitude needed for missed
approaches from 5,500 to 3,300 feet. The Sitka airspace will
incorporate protected airspace for the holding pattern to runway 11.
The St. Paul Island airspace will incorporate the revised coordinates
for the NDB and airport. New Class E airspace will be established for
Noatak, AK, to accommodate a new NDB/DME instrument approach procedure.
The Noatak Airport status will change from VFR to IFR. The areas would
be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The coordinates
for this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83. Class E
airspace areas designated as 700/1200 foot transition areas are
published in Paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9C, dated August 17,
1995, and effective September 16, 1995, which is incorporated by
reference in 14 CFR 71.1 (58 FR 36298; July 6, 1993). The Class E
airspace designation listed in this document would be published
subsequently in the Order. The FAA has determined that these proposed
regulations only involve an established body of technical regulations
for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary to keep them
operationally current. 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,
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR Part 71 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR
9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 14 CFR
11.69.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9C, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16,
1995, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6002 The Class E airspace areas listed below are
designated as a surface area for an airport.
* * * * *
AAL AK E2 Petersburg, AK [New]
Petersburg Airport, AK
(Lat. 56 deg.48'06'' N, long. 132 deg.56'43'' W)
Within a 4.1-mile radius of the James A. Johnson Airport,
Petersburg, Alaska. The Class E airspace is effective during the
specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to
Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously
[[Page 32374]]
published in the Supplement Alaska (Airport/Facility Directory).
* * * * *
AAL AK E2 Wrangell, AK [New]
Wrangell Airport, AK
(Lat. 56 deg.29'04'' N, long. 132 deg.22'11'' W)
Within a 4.1-mile radius of the Wrangell Airport, Alaska. The
Class E airspace is effective during the specific dates and times
established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and
time will thereafter be continuously published in the Supplement
Alaska (Airport/Facility Directory).
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or
more above the surface of the earth.
* * * * *
AAL AK E5 Wrangell, AK [Revised]
Wrangell Airport, AK
(Lat. 56 deg.29'04'' N, long. 132 deg.22'11'' W)
Wrangell Localizer
(Lat 56 deg.29'03'' N, long. 132 deg.21'45'' W)
Level Island VOR/DME
(Lat. 56 deg.28'04'' N, long. 133 deg.04'59'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6.5-mile radius of the Wrangell Airport and within 2.5
miles south and 3.5 miles north of the Wrangell Localizer front
course extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 17.5; miles northwest
of the airport; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet
above the surface within 6 miles either side of the Wrangell
Localizer front course extending from 14.5 miles west of the airport
to 25 miles west of the airport and within 4 miles each side of the
Level Island VOR/DME 086 deg. radial extending from the VOR/DME to
the Localizer; and within 5 miles west and 6 miles east of the
148 deg. bearing from the Wrangell NDB extending to 25 miles
southeast of the airport; and that airspace extending upward from
5,700 feet MSL within 32 miles of the Level Island VOR/DME extending
clockwise from the VOR/DME 327 deg. radial to the VOR/DME 035 deg.
radial.
* * * * *
AAL AK E5 Petersburg, AK [Revised]
Petersburg Airport, AK
(Lat. 56 deg.48'06'' N, long. 132 deg.56'43'' W)
Level Island VOR/DME
(Lat. 56 deg.28'04'' N, long. 133 deg.04'59'' W)
Petersburg Localizer
(Lat. 56 deg.48'02'' N, long. 132 deg.55'34'' W)
Fredericks Point NDB
(Lat. 56 deg.47'32'' N, long. 132 deg.49'15'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6.5 mile radius of the Petersburg Airport; and that
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within 4
miles east and 7 miles west of the Petersburg Localizer front course
extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 51 miles north of the Level
Island VOR/DME and within 4 miles northeast and 5 miles southwest of
the Fredericks Point NDB 140 deg. bearing extending from the 6.5-
mile radius to 10 miles southeast of the NDB; and that airspace
extending upward from 3,300 feet MSL within 5 miles either side of
the Level Island VOR/DME 013 deg. radial from the 6.5-mile radius to
the VOR/DME; and that airspace extending upward from 4,200 feet MSL
within 28.6 miles of the Level Island VOR/DME extending clockwise
from the VOR/DME 011 deg. radial to the 148 deg. radial; and that
airspace extending upward from 5,700 feet MSL within 51 miles of the
VOR/DME extending clockwise from the Level Island VOR/DME 326 deg.
radial to the 011 deg. radial; excluding that airspace within the
Sitka, AK, Class E airspace area.
* * * * *
AAL AK E5 Sitka, AK [Revised]
Sitka Airport, AK
(Lat. 57 deg.02'50'' N, long. 135 deg.21'41'' W)
Biorka Island VORTAC
(Lat. 56 deg.51'34'' N, long. 135 deg.33'04'' W)
Sitka Localizer
(Lat. 57 deg.02'53'' N, long. 135 deg.21'54'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6.6-mile radius of the Sitka Airport and within 4 miles
each side of the 029 deg. and 209 deg. radials of the Biorka Island
VORTAC extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 1 mile south of the
VORTAC and within a 14-mile radius of the Biorka Island VORTAC
extending clockwise from the 127 deg. radial to the 323 deg. radial
and within 4 miles west and 8 miles east of the Biorka Island VORTAC
209 deg. radial extending from the 14-mile radius to 16 miles
southwest of the VORTAC and within 4 miles east and 6 miles west of
the Sitka Localizer front course extending from the Sitka Localizer
to 22 miles northwest of the airport; and that airspace extending
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 40-mile radius of
the Biorka Island VORTAC; and that airspace extending upward from
5,500 feet MSL within an 85-mile radius of the VORTAC; excluding
that airspace within Control 1487L; more than 12 miles from the
shoreline; and within the Juneau, AK, and the Ketchikan, AK, Class E
airspace areas.
* * * * *
AAL AK E5 St. Paul Island, AK [Revised]
St. Paul Island Airport, AK
(Lat. 57 deg.10'10'02.30'' N, long. 170 deg.13'13.60'' W)
St. Paul Localizer
(Lat. 57 deg.10'44.56'' N, long. 170 deg.13'00.39'' W)
St. Paul NDB/DME
(Lat. 57 deg.09'28'' N, long. 170 deg.13'51'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6.5-mile radius of the St. Paul Island Airport and within 4
miles west and 8 miles east of the St. Paul Localizer front course
extending from 4 miles south of the St. Paul NDB/DME to 20 miles
south of the NDB/DME and within 4 miles east and 8 miles west of the
St. Paul Localizer back course extending from 5 miles north on the
NDB/DME to 21 miles north of the NDB/DME and within 4 miles east and
8 miles west of the 018 deg. bearing from the NDB/DME extending from
6 miles north of the NDB/DME to 22 miles north of the NDB/DME; and
that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface
within 14 miles of the NDB/DME.
* * * * *
AAL AK E5 Noatak, AK [New]
Noatak Airport, AK
(Lat. 67 deg.33'58'' N, long. 162 deg.58'40'' W)
Noatak NDB/DME
(Lat. 67 deg.34'19'' N, long. 162 deg.58'26'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet MSL above the
surface within a 6.5-mile radius of the Noatak Airport and within 4
miles either side of the 197 deg. bearing from the Noatak NDB/DME
from the 6.5-mile radius to 10 miles southwest of the NDB/DME; and
that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface
within 4 miles either side of the 197 deg. bearing from the Noatak
NDB/DME extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 14 miles southwest and
within 4 miles east and 5 miles west of the 017 deg. bearing from
the NDB/DME extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 11 miles northeast
of the NDB/DME.
* * * * *
Issued in Anchorage, AK, on June 12, 1996.
Willis C. Nelson,
Manager, Air Traffic Division Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 96-15985 Filed 6-21-96; 8:45 am]
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