96-26464. Revision of Class D and Class E Airspace; Bethel, AK  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 16, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 53841-53842]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-26464]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 71
    
    [Airspace Docket No. 96-AAL-4]
    
    
    Revision of Class D and Class E Airspace; Bethel, AK
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D and Class E airspace at 
    Bethel, AK, to accommodate Visual Flight Rules (VFR) traffic in the 
    Bethel area, landing and departing from Hanger Lake located about 2.5 
    miles northeast of the Bethel VORTAC. Several Bethel Airport user 
    groups, during public discussion on the decommission of the Bethel 
    Approach Control, requested an exclusion area for Hanger Lake to 
    accommodate VFR landings and takeoffs during Instrument Flight Rules 
    (IFR) weather conditions at Bethel, AK. The area will be depicted on 
    aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The intended effect of this 
    proposal is to provide adequate exclusion from Bethel, AK, Class D and 
    Class E airspace to accommodate Bethel user group requirements at 
    Hanger Lake, AK.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, January 30, 1997.
    
    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) 271-5863.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    History
    
        On June 24, 1996, a proposal to amend part 71 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise the Class E airspace at 
    Bethel was published in the Federal Register (61 FR 32371). Changes to 
    the Bethel airspace will incorporate an exclusion below 1,100 feet MSL 
    between the 061 deg. radial and the 081 deg. radial from 2.9 nautical 
    miles northeast of the Bethel VORTAC. The changes are required to 
    create a Hanger Lake exclusion area as requested by Bethel Airport user 
    groups for VFR operations when Bethel has IFR weather conditions.
        Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
    proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
    No comments to the proposals were received. Therefore, the rule is 
    adopted as written.
        The area will be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot 
    reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
    American Datum 83. Class D airspace area designations are published in 
    paragraph 5000 and the Class E airspace areas designated as an 
    extension to a Class D or Class E surface area are published in 
    paragraph 6004 of FAA Order 7400.9D, dated September 4, 1995, and 
    effective September 16, 1996, which are incorporated by reference in 14 
    CFR 71.1 (58 FR 36298; July 6, 1993). The Class D and Class E airspace 
    designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
    the Order.
    
    The Rule
    
        This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
    CFR part 71) revises the Class D and Class E airspace located at 
    Bethel, AK, to create a Hanger Lake exclusion area as requested by 
    Bethel Airport user groups for VFR operations when Bethel has IFR 
    weather conditions.
        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
    
    [[Page 53842]]
    
    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.
    
    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
    
        Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
    
    Adoption of the Amendment
    
        In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
    Administration amends 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 7400.9D, Airspace Designations and 
    Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1995, and effective September 16, 
    1996, is amended as follows:
    * * * * *
    
    Paragraph 5000  Class D Airspace.
    
    * * * * *
    
    AAL AK D Bethel, AK [Revised]
    
    Bethel Airport, AK
        (Lat. 60 deg.46'47'' N, long. 161 deg.50'17'' W)
    Bethel VORTAC
        (Lat. 60 deg.47'05'' N, long. 161 deg.49'27'' W)
    
        That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
    2,600 feet MSL within a 4.1-mile radius of the Bethel Airport, 
    excluding that portion below 1,100 feet MSL between the 061 deg. 
    radial and the 081 deg. radial from 2.9 miles northeast of the 
    Bethel VORTAC. This Class D airspace area 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 Airport/Facility Directory.
    * * * * *
    
    Paragraph 6004  Class E airspace areas designated as an extension 
    to a Class D or Class E surface area.
    
    * * * * *
    
    AAL AK E4 Bethel, AK
    
    Bethel Airport, AK
        (Lat. 60 deg.46'47'' N, long. 161 deg.50'17'' W)
    Bethel VORTAC
        (Lat. 60 deg.47'05'' N, long. 161 deg.49'27'' W)
    
        That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3 miles 
    each side of the 022 deg. radial from the Bethel VORTAC, extending 
    from the 4.1-mile radius of the Bethel Airport to 8.2 miles 
    northeast of the airport, within 3.4 miles each side of the Bethel 
    VORTAC 006 deg. radial, extending from the 4.1-mile radius of the 
    Bethel Airport to 11 miles north of the Bethel VORTAC and within 3.5 
    miles each side of the Bethel VORTAC 213 deg. radial extending from 
    the 4.1-mile radius of the Bethel Airport to 10 miles southwest of 
    the airport, excluding that portion below 1,100 feet MSL between the 
    061 deg. radial and the 081 deg. radial from 2.9 miles northeast of 
    the Bethel VORTAC.
    * * * * *
        Issued in Anchorage, AK, on October 4, 1996.
    Willis C. Nelson,
    Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
    [FR Doc. 96-26464 Filed 10-15-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
10/16/1996
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-26464
Dates:
0901 UTC, January 30, 1997.
Pages:
53841-53842 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Airspace Docket No. 96-AAL-4
PDF File:
96-26464.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 71.1