[Federal Register: September 22, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 183)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55531-55533]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22se05-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20643; Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL-13]
Establishment of Class D Airspace; and Revision of Class E
Airspace; Big Delta, Allen Army Airfield, Fort Greely, AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
[[Page 55532]]
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class D airspace and revises Class E
airspace at Big Delta, Allen Army Airfield (BIG) on Ft. Greely, Alaska.
This action was taken at the request of the United States Army to
enable them to establish the appropriate airspace to open an Airport
Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at BIG to support operations of the U.S.
Army Space and Missile Defense Command. This action also enlarges Class
E Airspace from 700 ft. above the surface to the point at which it is
sufficient to contain aircraft executing standard instrument approach
procedures (SIAP). The new BIG ATCT is being established to provide
airport traffic control service to aircraft operating at BIG due to
increased airport operations caused by an expanded homeland security
mission at Ft. Greely.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, December 22, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derril Bergt, Alaska Flight Service
Operations, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box
14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587; telephone number (907) 271-2796; fax:
(907) 271-2850; e-mail: Derril.Bergt@faa.gov. Internet address: http://www.alaska.faa.gov/at
.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On Monday, April 18, 2005, the FAA proposed to revise part 71 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to establish Class D
airspace and to revise Class E airspace from the surface at Big Delta,
Allen Army Airfield, Fort Greely, Alaska (70 FR 20096). The action was
proposed in order to add Class D airspace sufficient in size to provide
airport traffic control at BIG. The United States Army Space and
Missile Defense Command is the managing agency for BIG. They plan to
open a new ATCT on December 22, 2005. The United States Army is taking
this action in order to provide airport traffic control due to an
increase in airport traffic caused by an expanded homeland security
mission at Ft. Greely. Interested parties were invited to participate
in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on the
proposal to the FAA. One letter was received with comments.
The commenter, Alaska Airmen's Association, requested an exclusion
corridor, to the west of BIG, through Class D airspace at and below 500
ft. above ground level (AGL), for aircraft landing at Delta Junction
Airport (D66). The FAA has considered the Alaska Airmen's Association
request and agrees that a low altitude exclusion area to allow access
to D66, to and from the northwest, without communication with BIG ATCT
during visual flight rules (VFR) conditions is acceptable. When
conditions are below basic VFR (1,000 ft. ceiling and/or 3 miles
visibility) a Special VFR Clearance will still be required within Class
E or D airspace. D66 is contained within Class E airspace extending
from the surface upward to the base of Class D airspace.
The Alaska Airmen's Association also requested an exclusion
corridor from Donnelly Dome to the Big Delta Very High Frequency Omni-
directional Radio Range (BIG) 260 radial at 10 nautical miles (nm), or,
if this is not feasible, an exclusion area through Class D airspace
along the Richardson Highway under 500 AGL from the BIG 160 radial at 5
nm direct to BIG 260 radial at 10 nm. The FAA has considered this
proposal. The first option, an exclusion corridor from Donnelly Dome to
the BIG 260 radial at 10 nm, will not be feasible because this routing
would require the U.S. Army to discontinue use of Restricted Area 2202A
(R2202A) within the confines of the proposed corridor. U.S. Army has
informed the FAA that the airspace currently designated as R2202 cannot
be made available for use as a non-radio corridor for aircraft during
periods when R2202A is active without impacting training and testing
negatively. As to the second option proposed, for a no-radio route from
the BIG 160 radial at 5 nm to the BIG 260 at 10 nm, the close proximity
of this proposed corridor to aircraft operating to/from Allen Army
Airfield, and the security issues associated with homeland defense
activities at Fort Greely preclude approval.
The area will be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot
reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North
American Datum 83. The airspace area designated as Class D is published
in paragraph 5000 of FAA order 7400.9N, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2005 and effective September 16,
2005 which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E
airspace areas designated as surface areas are published in paragraph
6002 and 6004 of FAA Order 7400.9N, Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, dated September 1, 2005, and effective September 16, 2005,
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace
areas designated as 700/1200 foot transition areas are published in
paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9N, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2005 and effective September 16,
2005 which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and
Class E airspace designations listed in this document will be revised
subsequently in the Order.
The Rule
This rule establishes Class D airspace, and revises Class E
airspace at BIG, Ft. Greely, Alaska. Class E airspace from the surface
is incorporated into the rule to ensure that D66 remains within
controlled airspace extending upwards from the surface. The BIG ATCT
will operate continuously. Class E airspace that is an extension to the
Class D airspace from the surface is revised to align with the new
Class D airspace and is enlarged to encompass that area needed to
provide air traffic control services to aircraft executing standard
instrument approach procedures to BIG. The intended effect of this rule
is to provide adequate controlled airspace for the BIG ATCT to provide
airport traffic control services to VFR and Instrument Flight Rule
(IFR) aircraft at BIG, Fort Greely, Alaska.
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.
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 will not have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle 1, 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 1, Section 40103, Sovereignty and use of
airspace. Under that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing
regulations to ensure the safe and efficient use of the navigable
airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because
it creates Class D airspace sufficient in size to provide airport
[[Page 55533]]
traffic control services, and Class E airspace sufficient to contain
aircraft executing standard instrument approach procedures at BIG,
Alaska, and represents the FAA's continuing effort to safely and
efficiently use the navigable airspace.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
Adoption of the Amendment
0
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration
amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; 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(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 Federal Aviation
Administration Order 7400.9N, Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, dated September 1, 2005, and effective September 16, 2005, is
amended as follows:
* * * * *
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
AAL AK D Big Delta, AK [New]
Big Delta, Allen AAF, AK
(Lat. 63[deg]59'40'' N., long. 145[deg]43'18'' W.)
Big Delta VORTAC
(Lat. 64[deg]00'16'' N., long. 145[deg]43'02'' W.)
Delta Junction Airport
(Lat. 64[deg]03'02'' N., long. 145[deg]43'02'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,800 feet MSL within a 6.3-mile radius of the Allen AAF; excluding
the portion within the boundary of restricted area 2202A, and
excluding that portion at and below 700 feet above ground level from
a point one-half mile south of the Delta Junction Airport (D66)
extending via the 090 bearing to 1 mile east of the Alaska Highway
and via the 270 bearing to 1 mile west of the Delta River; thence
northwest parallel to the Alaska Highway and the Delta River, to the
boundary of Class D airspace.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Area.
* * * * *
AAL AK E2 Big Delta, AK [Revised]
Big Delta, Allen AAF, AK
(Lat. 63[deg]59'40'' N., long. 145[deg]43'18'' W.)
Big Delta VORTAC
(Lat. 64[deg]00'16'' N., long. 145[deg]43'02'' W.)
Within a 6.3-mile radius of the Allen AAF; excluding that
portion within Class D airspace and excluding the portion within the
boundary of restricted area 2202A
* * * * *
Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a
Class D or E Surface Area.
* * * * *
AAL AK E4 Big Delta, AK [New]
Big Delta, Allen AAF, AK
(Lat. 63[deg]59'40'' N., long. 145[deg]43'18'' W.)
Big Delta VORTAC
(Lat. 64[deg]00'16'' N., long. 145[deg]43'02'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3 miles
north and 2.6 miles south of the Big Delta VORTAC 039[deg] radial
extending from the 6.3-mile radius of the Allen AAF to 10.3 miles
northeast of the airport.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward from 700
feet of More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
AAL AK E5 Big Delta, AK [Revised]
Big Delta, Allen AAF, AK
(Lat. 63[deg]59'40'' N., long. 145[deg]43'18'' W.)
Big Delta VORTAC
(Lat. 64[deg]00'16'' N., long. 145[deg]43'02'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within an 8.6-mile radius of the Allen AAF, excluding the portion
within the boundary of restricted area 2202A; and within 3 miles
north and 2.6 miles south of the Big Delta VORTAC 039[deg] radial
extending from the 8.6-mile radius of the Allen AAF to 10.3 miles
northeast of the airport excluding Class D airspace.
* * * * *
Issued in Anchorage, AK, on September 14, 2005.
Michael A. Tarr,
Acting Area Director, Alaska Flight Service Operations.
[FR Doc. 05-18931 Filed 9-21-05; 8:45 am]
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