[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 24 (Friday, February 5, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5712-5713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2830]
[[Page 5712]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 98-AAL-23]
Revision of Class D Airspace; Anchorage, Elmendorf Air Force Base
(AFB) Airport, AK Establishment of Class E Airspace; Anchorage,
Elmendorf AFB Airport, AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action revises Class D airspace operational times and
establishes Class E airspace at Elmendorf AFB, AK. The United States
Air Force (USAF) requested this action in response to a critical Air
Traffic Control (ATC) controller shortage at Elmendorf AFB, AK. This
action will allow the USAF to provide part time operation of the Class
D airspace and establishment of Class E airspace for Instrument Flight
Rules (IFR) and Special Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations at
Elmendorf AFB, AK.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, March 8, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derril Bergt, Operations Branch, AAL-
535, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14,
Anchorage, AK 99513-7587; telephone number (907) 271-2796; fax: (907)
271-2850; email: Derril.Bergt@faa.gov. Internet address: http://
www.alaska.faa.gov/at or at address http://162.58.28.41/at.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On October 27, 1998, a proposal to amend part 71 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to allow the USAF to provide
Class D airspace operational times and establish Class E airspace for
IFR and Special VFR operations when the Class D airspace is inactive at
Elmendorf AFB, AK, was published in the Federal Register (63 FR 57268).
The proposal was necessary to provide the flexibility to the USAF to
adjust the Elmendorf Tower operational times during times of a critical
ATC controller shortage at Elmendorf AFB, AK.
The physical dimensions of the Class D airspace will not change.
Currently, the Class D airspace is operational 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. The following phraseology is added to the end of the Class
D airspace description: ``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.'' During any closure, the
Class D airspace will convert to Class E airspace for IFR and Special
VFR operations.
The FAA received two letters objecting to this proposal. The
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) letter, dated November
24, 1998, dealt with AOPA concerns over the unavailability of air
traffic services that have been historically available for civilian
operators in the area, specifically real-time weather, use as an
alternate, and use of the instrument approach facilities. The Alaskan
Aviation Safety Foundation (AASF) letter, dated November 18, 1998,
dealt with AASF concerns over the economic effect and adverse safety
influence on civilian air services to Anchorage and those cargo
airlines using the Anchorage International Airport for refueling and
cargo distribution. AASF concerns included losing the instrument
approach facilities, fire, crash and rescue facilities, along with
real-time weather information and use as an alternate when flights are
diverted from Anchorage due to fog or other factors. Losing Elmendorf
AFB, AK, as a divert alternate, would limit payloads by as much as
20,000 pounds if a divert B747 aircraft had to go to Fairbanks or
Kenai. Both AOPA and AASF suggested FAA augment the controllers at
Elmendorf Tower.
The USAF responded to the AOPA and AASF concerns in a letter to the
FAA, dated January 15, 1999, wherein they stated that the action to
reduce the hours of operation for the Elmendorf Tower is a contingency,
not a plan for normal operation. It is one of several courses of action
that the USAF may take to reduce the requirements on their tower
controllers. The USAF's intent is to maintain a 24-hour operation at
the tower with the flexibility to reduce the hours if required. Any
closure of the tower would only occur during periods of minimum usage,
and would be fully coordinated with adjacent FAA Air Traffic Control
facilities. The USAF stated that the airfield itself will remain open
24 hours per day, with the normal exceptions of snow removal or other
maintenance. Base operations and support functions, such as the fire
department and weather, will also remain in service 24 hours per day.
Anchorage Approach Control will still have access to the instrument
approach facilities. With the airfield open, heavy jets could file and
plan fuel reserves with Elmendorf AFB as an alternate. During periods
of tower closure, the airfield will operate as a Class E airspace non-
tower controlled airfield, the same as many other Alaskan airfields. On
short notice, the tower could be staffed to handle an influx of traffic
due to weather or an in-flight emergency.
The FAA determined that augmenting Elmendorf Tower was not
necessary because the USAF intends currently to maintain a 24-hour
operational tower. If the USAF were to shorten tower hours of
operation, the airport would remain open, USAF air traffic controllers
would be on-call, and the times of any closure would be selected to
have minimum impact.
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 D airspace areas are published in
paragraph 5000 and Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area
are published in paragraph 6002 in FAA Order 7400.9F, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and
effective September 16, 1998, which is incorporated by reference in 14
CFR 71.1 (63 FR 50139; September 21, 1998). The Class D and Class E
airspace listed in this document would be revised and published in the
Order.
The Rule
This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 allows the USAF to revise the
Class D airspace operational times at Elmendorf AFB, AK, and
establishes Class E airspace for IFR and Special VFR operations when
the Class D airspace is inactive. The intended effect of this action is
to provide the USAF the flexibility to adjust the operational times of
the Elmendorf Tower.
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 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.
[[Page 5713]]
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.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of 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 5000 Class D Airspace
* * * * *
AAL AK D Anchorage, Elmendorf AFB Airport, AK [Revised]
Anchorage, Elmendorf AFB Airport, AK
(Lat. 61 deg. 15' 11'' N., long. 149 deg. 47' 38'' W)
Elmendorf Localizer
(Lat. 61 deg. 15' 14'' N., long. 149 deg. 46' 48'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,000 feet MSL within a 4.7-mile radius of Elmendorf AFB Airport and
within 2 miles each side of the Elmendorf Localizer front course
extending from the 4.7-mile radius to a point 5.5 miles from Elmendorf
AFB Airport; excluding that airspace east of long. 149 deg.43' W, and
that airspace within the Anchorage International Airport, AK, Class C
airspace area and the Anchorage Merrill Field, AK, Class D airspace
area. 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 6002 Class E airspace designated as surface areas
* * * * *
AAL AK E2 Anchorage, Elmendorf AFB Airport, AK [New]
Anchorage, Elmendorf AFB Airport, AK
(Lat. 61 deg.15'11'' N., long. 149 deg.47'38'' W)
Elmendorf Localizer
(Lat. 61 deg.15'14'' N, long. 149 deg.46'48'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,000 feet MSL within a 4.7-mile radius of Elmendorf AFB Airport and
within 2 miles each side of the Elmendorf Localizer front course
extending from the 4.7-mile radius to a point 5.5 miles from
Elmendorf AFB Airport; excluding that airspace east of long.
149 deg.43' W, and that airspace within the Anchorage International
Airport, AK, Class C airspace area and the Anchorage Merrill Field,
AK, Class D airspace area.
* * * * *
Issued in Anchorage, AK, on January 27, 1999.
Trent S. Cummings,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 99-2830 Filed 2-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-12-U
