E9-30172. Establishment of Class E Airspace; Point (Pt.) Thomson, AK

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final Rule.

SUMMARY:

This action establishes Class E airspace at Pt. Thomson, AK, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) special Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) at Pt. Thomson #3 Heliport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Pt. Thomson #3 Heliport.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, February 11, 2009. 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 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gary Rolf, 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.faa.gov/​about/​office_​org/​headquarters_​offices/​ato/​service_​units/​systemops/​fs/​alaskan/​rulemaking/​.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On Wednesday, October 7, 2009, the FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register to establish Class E airspace at Pt. Thompson, AK (74 FR 51523). Subsequent to publication, the FAA noted that the title erroneously referred to the airport name incorrectly. The correct airport name is Pt. Thomson #3 (without a P). Additionally, the airport coordinates were incorrectly listed and have been corrected in the legal description. With the exception of editorial changes, and the changes described above, this rule is the same as that proposed in the NPRM. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. The rule with changes noted above is adopted as proposed.

The Class E airspace areas designated as 700/1,200 ft. transition areas are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by establishing Class E airspace at Pt. Thomson #3 Heliport, to accommodate new RNAV special IAPs at Pt. Thomson #2 Heliport. This Class E airspace will provide adequate controlled airspace upward from 700 feet above the surface, for the safety and management of IFR operations at Pt. Thomson #3 Heliport.

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. Because 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 Pt. Thomson #3 Heliport 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

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; AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE 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 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, is amended as follows:

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

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AAL AK E5 Point Thomson, AK [New]

Point Thomson #3 Heliport, AK

(Lat. 70°10′17″ N., long. 146°15′31″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.6-mile radius of the Pt. Thomson, AK.

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Issued in Anchorage, AK, on December 3, 2009.

Michael A. Tarr,

Acting Manager, Alaska Flight Services Information Area Group.