[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26599]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 98-AAL-6]
RIN 2120-AA66
Realignment of Colored Federal Airway; AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action modifies Colored Federal Airway Amber 4 (A-4) and
revokes Colored Federal Airway Amber 6 (A-6) due to the decommissioning
and subsequent removal of the Umiat Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB),
AK, from the National Airspace System (NAS).
EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, December 3, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On June 5, 1998, the FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 71 (part 71)
to modify Colored Federal Airway A-4 and revoke Colored Federal Airway
A-6 due to the decommissioning and subsequent removal of the Umiat NDB
(63 FR 30666). Interested parties were invited to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA.
One comment objecting to the proposal was received from the Cape Smythe
Air Service Safety Officer, opposing the swiftness of the FAA action to
decommission the Umiat NDB and the subsequent loss of an instrument
flight rules (IFR) alternate airport.
The FAA does not agree with this comment for the following reasons:
(1) there is no standard instrument approach procedure supporting Umiat
Airport; (2) this airport does not meet the requirements to be used as
an IFR alternate airport; (3) the airport weather information is
unavailable; and (4) lighting at the airport is nonoperational. Airport
operations at Umiat do not justify the cost of maintaining the Umiat
NDB.
Except for editorial changes this amendment is the same as that
proposed in the notice.
The Rule
The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 to modify Colored Federal Airway
A-4 by removing that portion of the airway that extends beyond the
Anaktuvuk, NDB, AK, and revoking Colored Federal Airway A-6. The FAA is
taking this action due to the decommissioning and subsequent removal of
the Umiat, NDB, AK, from the NAS.
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.
Therefore, this regulation: (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.
Colored Federal airways are published in paragraph 6009 of FAA
Order 7400.9F dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16,
1998, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The colored
Federal airway listed in this document will be published subsequently
in the Order.
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--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS
1. The authority citation for 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]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16,
1998, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6009(c)--Amber Federal Airways
* * * * *
A-4 [Revised]
From Evansville, NDB, AK to Anaktuvuk Pass, NDB, AK.
* * * * *
A-6 [Revoked]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 29, 1998.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 98-26599 Filed 10-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
