07-1812. Revision of Class E Airspace; Valdez, AK

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action revises Class E airspace at Valdez, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). The FAA Instrument Flight Procedures Production and Maintenance Branch has drafted two new SIAPs for the Valdez Pioneer Field Airport at Valdez, AK. This rule results in the revision of Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Valdez, AK.

DATES:

Effective Date: 0901 UTC, July 5, 2007. 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.alaska.faa.gov/​at.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On Thursday, January 18, 2007, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise Class E airspace upward form 700 ft. and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Valdez Pioneer Field, AK (72 FR2213). The action was proposed in order to create Class E airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft while executing two new SIAPs for the Valdez Pioneer Field Airport. The approaches are (1) Localizer Type Directional Aid (LDA)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)-G, Original and (2) LDA-H, Original. The LDA-G is a Special SIAP and will not be published in the U.S. Terminal Procedures (Alaska) publication. Class E controlled airspace extending upward from 700 ft. and 1,200 ft. above the surface in the Valdez, AK area is revised by this action. In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the airport name was not fully articulated. The full and proper designation (Valdez Pioneer Field) is included in this rule. The location of the localizer has also been updated to reflect accurate position.

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 700/1,200 ft. transition areas are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9P, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 2006, 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 amendment to 14 CFR part 71 revises Class E airspace at the Valdez Pioneer Field Airport, Alaska. This Class E airspace is revised to accommodate aircraft executing SIAPs, 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 at the Valdez Pioneer Field Airport, Valdez, 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 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 Valdez Pioneer Field Airport 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; 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), 30103, 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 7400.9P, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 2006, is amended as follows:

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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 Valdez, AK

Valdez Pioneer Field, AK

(Lat. 61°08′02″ N, long. 146°14′54″ W.)

Valdez Localizer

(Lat. 61°08′10″ N, long. 146°13′15″ W.)

Johnstone Point VORTAC

(Lat. 60°28′51″ N, long. 146°35′58″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.6-mile radius of the Valdez Pioneer Field Airport, AK, and within 3.1 miles each side of the Valdez Localizer front course extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 12.8 miles southwest of the Valdez Localizer; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within 50 miles of the Johnstone Point VORTAC, AK, extending clockwise from the Johnstone Point VORTAC, AK, 200° radial to the 076° radial.

* * * * *

Issued in Anchorage, AK, on April 2, 2007.

Anthony M. Wylie,

Manager, Alaska Flight Services Information Area Group.