[Federal Register: August 1, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 147)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43356-43357]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01au06-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2006-23709; Airspace Docket No. 06-AAL-02]
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Willow, AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at Willow, AK to
provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing new
Instrument Procedures. This rule results in new Class E airspace
established upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface
at Willow, AK.
DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, September 28, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Rolf, AAL-538G, Federal Aviation
Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587;
telephone number (907) 271-5898; fax: (907) 271-2850; e-mail:
gary.ctr.rolf@faa.gov. Internet address: http://www.alaska.faa.gov/at.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On Tuesday, May 30, 2006, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to establish Class E
airspace upward from 700 ft. and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Willow,
AK (71 FR 30631). The action was proposed in order to create Class E
airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft while executing two new
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs), one new Standard
Instrument Departure (SID) and a published departure procedure (DP) for
the Willow Airport. The new approaches are (1) Area Navigation (Global
Positioning System) (RNAV (GPS)) RWY 13, Original and (2) RNAV (GPS)
RWY 31, Original. The SID is named the Big Lake One Departure. The DP
is unnamed and will be listed in the front of the U.S. Terminal
Procedures publication for Alaska. Class E controlled airspace
extending upward from 700 ft. and 1,200 ft. above the surface in the
Willow Airport area is established by this action.
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA.
One comment was received. The commenter approved of the proposed action
but would like to ``get the Class E down to the surface.'' A surface
area had been considered for the Willow Airport, but was deemed too
restrictive for the vast majority of local operators. There are 11
airports within the area that would be encompassed by a standard
surface area. The pilots at these airports are typically flying
exclusively under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The demand for Instrument
Flight Rules (IFR) usage of SIAPs to the Willow Airport is very low. A
surface area would require increased visibility and communications
requirements, as well as the necessity to obtain ATC clearances for
operations to/from these airports, and is not warranted at this time.
The SIAP minima will contain IFR traffic in Class E airspace as
proposed. The commenter also offered a suggestion to place a VOR in the
Willow area to enable VOR SIAP(s). This suggestion will not be adopted
due to
[[Page 43357]]
the high cost of installation of a VOR and the very low use it would
generate. The rule is adopted as proposed.
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 Class E airspace areas designated as 700/1,200
ft. transition areas are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order
7400.9N, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1,
2005, and effective September 15, 2005, which is incorporated by
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in
this document will be published subsequently in the Order.
The Rule
This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 establishes Class E airspace at
the Willow Airport, Alaska. This Class E airspace is created to
accommodate aircraft executing two new SIAPs, one SID and one DP, and
will be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The
intended effect of this rule is to provide adequate controlled airspace
for IFR operations at the Willow Airport, Willow, 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 E airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft
executing instrument procedures for the Willow Airport 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 15, 2005, is
amended as follows:
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or
more above the surface of the earth.
* * * * *
AAL AK E5 Willow, AK [New]
Willow Airport, AK
(Lat. 61[deg]45'16'' N., long. 150[deg]03'06'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6.4-mile radius of the Willow Airport, and that airspace
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 72-mile
radius of the Willow Airport.
* * * * *
Issued in Anchorage, AK, on July 24, 2006.
Anthony M. Wylie,
Director, Alaska Flight Service Information Office.
[FR Doc. E6-12284 Filed 7-31-06; 8:45 am]
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