03-30907. Establishment of Class E Airspace; Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, AK

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action establishes Class E airspace in the Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, AK. A need was identified to operate via Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) from Tok, AK off-airways, to/from Anchorage, AK. Class E airspace did not exist below 14,500 feet in the Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, AK to allow Anchorage ARTCC to provide IFR enroute services. This rule results in new Class E airspace upward from 1,200 feet (ft.) above the surface in the Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, AK.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

0901 UTC, February 19, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jesse Patterson, AAL-538G, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587; telephone number [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]. Internet address: http://www.alaska.faa.gov/​at.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On Monday, September 22, 2003, the FAA proposed to revise part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to create new Class E airspace upward from 1,200ft. above the surface in the Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, AK (68 FR 55013). A commercial flight operator (part 135) identified a need for more direct routings to/from Tok, AK. The action establishes Class E airspace sufficient to contain aircraft proceeding to and from Tok, AK direct to join the Federal airways in the vicinity of Gulkana, AK. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No public comments have been received, thus, 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 700/1200 foot transition areas are published in paragraph 6006 of FAA Order 7400.9L, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 2, 2003, and effective September 16, 2003, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document will be revoked and revised subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

This revision to 14 CFR part 71 establishes Class E airspace at Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, Alaska. This additional Class E airspace was created to accommodate aircraft operating (IFR) from Tok, AK off-airways, to/from Anchorage, AK 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 in the Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, 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 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—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 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.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9L, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 2, 2003, and effective September 16, 2003, is amended as follows:

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Paragraph 6006 Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet or more above the surface of the earth.

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AAL AK E6 Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, AK [New]

That airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet bounded on the north by V-444, on the south by G-8 and on the west by V-515, excluding the Fairbanks Class E Airspace and that airspace designated for federal airways.

* * * * *

Issued in Anchorage, AK, on December 3, 2003.

Trent S. Cummings,

Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.