2018-24721. Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, and Revocation of Class E Airspace; Juneau, AK

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and removes Class E airspace designated as an extension at Juneau International Airport, Juneau, AK. Airspace redesign is necessary as the FAA transitions from ground-based to satellite-based navigation for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport. This action also updates the airport's geographic coordinates to match the FAA's aeronautical database for the associated Class D and E airspace areas, and replaces the outdated term Airport/Facility Directory with Chart Supplement in the Class D airspace legal description.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, January 3, 2019. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under Title 1 Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES:

FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/​air_​traffic/​publications/​. For further information, you can contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone]. The Order is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call [phone], or go to https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 2200 S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198-6547; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for This Rulemaking

The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, 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 I, Section 40103. Under that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority as it modifies Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and removes Class E airspace designated as an extension at Juneau International Airport, Juneau, AK, to support IFR operations at this airport.

History

The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (83 FR 19653; May 4, 2018) for Docket No. FAA-2018-0125 to modify Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface and remove Class E airspace designated as an extension at Juneau International Airport, Juneau, AK. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One commenter was concerned that VFR operations would be problematic because the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) would not be able to see to the lateral boundaries of the proposed Class D area and weather may be inconsistent between the outer areas of the proposed Class D and the area closer to the airport.

The FAA's response is that these conditions exist in several locations across the CONUS and Air Traffic Control is skilled at operations within these environments. Pilots operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at the lateral boundaries of the proposed Class D may continue to operate VFR provided weather minimums can be maintained and Special VFR requirements are applied, when appropriate.

In addition, the commenter wrote that communication below 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) was limited in the proposed airspace to the west.

The FAA performed a communication analysis at both 1,000 and 1,500 feet AGL and determined that communication in the area is provided by both a Remote Communications Air/Ground facility (RCAG) and a Back Up Emergency Communication (BUEC) facility. The analysis determined that, while some terrain features may create communication difficulties in specific locations, the available systems should provide communication coverage either on the primary frequency with Juneau ATCT or the BUEC through Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center.

Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11C, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, 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.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document amends FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018. FAA Order 7400.11C is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11C lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 modifies Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface and removes Class E designated as an extension at Juneau International Airport, Juneau, AK.

Class D airspace is modified to within a 3-mile radius of Juneau International Airport and within 2.5 miles each side of the 271° bearing from the airport extending from the 3-mile radius to 5.2 miles west of the airport, and within 1 mile southwest and 2.6 miles northeast of the airport 135° bearing extending from the airport 3-mile radius to 5 miles southeast of the airport, excluding that airspace below 2,000 feet MSL within the area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 58°19′35″ N, long. 134°24′31″ W, to lat. 58°19′02″ N, long. 134°25′33″ W, to lat. 58°20′16″ N, long. 134°27′28″ W, to lat. 58°20′34″ N, long. 134°26′22″ W, thence to the point of beginning. The areas to the west and southeast of the airport contains IFR departures and arrivals. A small area within the extended area to the southeast near Salmon Creek is excluded from Class D airspace below 2,000 feet MSL to ensure 2-way radio communication with the Juneau Airport Traffic Control Tower is possible prior to entering Class D airspace from that area.

Class E surface area airspace is modified to be coincident with the Class D airspace area described above.

Class E airspace designated as an extension is removed since the Class D airspace contains arrival aircraft within 1,000 feet of the surface, and a Class E arrival extension is not required.

Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is modified to a polygon approximately 12-18 miles wide by 42-miles long (from approximately 48 miles wide by 70 miles long) oriented northwest to southeast (from west to east). The area is defined as that airspace upward from 700 feet above the surface within the area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 58°27′33″ N, long. 134°37′40″ W, to lat. 58°13′13″ N, long. 134°11′51″ W, to lat. 58°05′59″ N, long. 134°21′04″ W, to lat. 58°10′51″ N, long. 134°59′18″ W, to lat. 58°23′41″ N, long. 135°31′13″ W, to lat. 58°32′22″ N, long. 135°18′32″ W, to lat. 58°27′17″ N, long. 135°01′27″ W, thence to the point of beginning. This modification reduces the airspace area to only that area necessary to contain IFR operations as they transition between the airport and en route environments. Also, Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface designated for Juneau International Airport is removed since this airspace is wholly contained within the Southeast Alaska Class E en route airspace, and duplication is not necessary.

This action also makes an editorial change to the Class D airspace legal description replacing Airport/Facility Directory with Chart Supplement.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

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, is non-controversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. 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 only affects 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.

Environmental Review

The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures,” paragraph 5-6.5a. This airspace action is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment.

Lists 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, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AAL AK D Juneau, AK [Amended]

Juneau International Airport, AK

(Lat. 58°21′17″ N, long. 134°34′42″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL within a 3-mile radius of Juneau International Airport, and within 2.5 miles each side of the 271° bearing from the airport extending from the 3-mile radius to 5.2 miles west of the airport, and within 1 mile southwest and 2.6 miles northeast of the airport 135° bearing extending from the airport 3-mile radius to 5 miles southeast of the airport, excluding that airspace below 2,000 feet MSL within the area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 58°19′35″ N, long. 134°24′31″ W, to lat. 58°19′02″ N, long. 134°25′33″ W, to lat. 58°20′16″ N, long. 134°27′28″ W, to lat. 58°20′34″ N, long. 134°26′22″ W, thence to the point of beginning. 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 Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Juneau, AK [Amended]

Juneau International Airport, AK

(Lat. 58°21′17″ N, long. 134°34′42″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 3-mile radius of Juneau International Airport, and within 2.5 miles each side of the 271° bearing from the airport extending from the 3-mile radius to 5.2 miles west of the airport, and within 1 mile southwest and 2.6 miles northeast of the airport 135° bearing extending from the airport 3-mile radius to 5 miles southeast of the airport, excluding that airspace below 2,000 feet MSL within the area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 58°19′35″ N, long. 134°24′31″ W, to lat. 58°19′02″ N, long. 134°25′33″ W, to lat. 58°20′16″ N, long. 134°27′28″ W, to lat. 58°20′34″ N, long. 134°26′22″ W, thence to the point of beginning. This Class E 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 Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

AAL AK E4 Juneau, AK [Removed]

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Juneau, AK [Amended]

Juneau International Airport, AK

(Lat. 58°21′17″ N, long. 134°34′42″ W)

That airspace upward from 700 feet above the surface within the area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 58°27′33″ N, long. 134°37′40″ W, to lat. 58°13′13″ N, long. 134°11′51″ W, to lat. 58°05′59″ N, long. 134°21′04″ W, to lat. 58°10′51″ N, long. 134°59′18″ W, to lat. 58°23′41″ N, long. 135°31′13″ W, to lat. 58°32′22″ N, long. 135°18′32″ W, to lat. 58°27′17″ N, long. 135°01′27″ W, thence to the point of beginning.

Issued in Seattle, Washington, on November 1, 2018.

Shawn M. Kozica,

Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.