[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19255-19257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9780]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 99-AAL-1]
Revision of Class D Airspace; Fairbanks, Eielson Air Force Base
(AFB), AK; Revision and Establishment of Class E Airspace; Fairbanks,
Eielson AFB, AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action revises Class D airspace operational times,
revises and revokes current Class E airspace, and establishes
additional Class E airspace at Eielson AFB, AK. The United States Air
Force (USAF) requested this action in response to (1) a critical Air
Traffic Control (ATC) controller shortage throughout the USAF and (2)
an airspace review after redesigning their instrument approaches.
Adoption of this proposal would result in the provision of a part time
operation of the Class D airspace; revision of the current Class E
airspace; and when the tower is closed, establishment of additional
Class E airspace for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Special Visual
Flight Rules (VFR) operations at Eielson AFB, AK.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, July 15, 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 February 1, 1999, a proposal to amend part 71 of the Federal
Aviation
[[Page 19256]]
Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to allow the USAF to revise Class D
airspace operational times, modify existing Class E airspace, and
establish additional Class E airspace for IFR and Special VFR
operations when the Class D airspace is inactive at Eilson AFB, AK was
published in the Federal Register (64 FR 4793). This rule is necessary
due to a critical ATC controller shortage and a redesign of the
required airspace for IFR operations. This action decreases the
physical dimensions of the Class D airspace from a 5.2 mile radius to a
4.7 mile radius. The following phraseology will be 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.'' This action
allows part time operation of the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)
at Eielson AFB, AK. The USAF plans for the Eielson AFB tower to be
closed between 2300 and 0700 (local times). During this closure, the
Class D airspace will convert to Class E airspace which this rule is
establishing for IFR and Special VFR operations. The existing Class E
airspace is revised to eliminate extensions and the result is a single
7.2 mile radius circle of Eielson AFB.
The Eielson AFB mission has changed in recent years. Present flight
operations rarely exceed 16 hours per day, and quiet hours are in
effect from 2200 to 0700 local times. Less than one percent of annual
flight traffic occurs during the planned closure times. Eielson AFB
base operations and the runway will remain a 24-hour facility. Eielson
Tower will retain sufficient personnel to revert to 24-hour operations
in the event of a contingency. Air traffic controllers will be on a
standby schedule to provide on-call services to North American Defense
(NORAD) missions, approved arrivals and departures, and emergency
diverts. The USAF intends to meet all criteria to remain a viable
alternate airport.
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking
by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No public
comments to the proposal were received. However, while stating the
extensions will be eliminated, the reference for the Eielson AFB Class
E airspace extensions was inadvertently omitted. The following verbiage
has been added to the rule, ``Class E airspace areas extending upward
from the surface designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E
surface area are published in paragraph 6004,'' and ``AAL AK E4
Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [Revoked].'' Additionally, the verbiage
``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 Airport/
Facility Directory'' was inadvertently omitted from the Class E
airspace description. This verbiage is required because the time of
activation is not continuous, 24 hours a day. The Federal Aviation
Administration has determined that these changes are editorial in
nature and will not increase the scope of this rule. Except for the
non-substantive change just discussed, the rule is adopted as written.
The area would 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, Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area are
published in paragraph 6002, Class E airspace areas extending upward
from the surface designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E
surface area are published in paragraph 6004, and Class E airspace
areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the
earth are published in paragraph 6005 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 will be revised, revoked, 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 Eielson AFB, AK, revokes Class E
surface area extensions, revises the existing Class E airspace, 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 time of
the Eielson AFB Tower and make revisions to the Class E airspace at
Eielson AFB, AK.
The FAA has determined that these actions 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.
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 Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [Revised]
Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK
(Lat. 64 deg.39'56'' N, long. 147 deg.06'05'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,000 feet MSL within a 4.7-mile radius of Eielson AFB. 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 Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [New]
Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK
(Lat. 64 deg.39'56'' N, long. 147 deg.06'05'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,000 feet MSL within a 4.7-mile radius of Eielson AFB. This Class E
airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times
established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective
[[Page 19257]]
date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the
Airport/Facility Directory.
Paragraph 6004 Class E airspace areas extending upward from the
surface designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface
area.
* * * * *
AAL AK E4 Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [Revoked]
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700
feet or more above the surface of the earth.
* * * * *
AAL AK E5 Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK [Revised]
Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, AK
(Lat. 64 deg.39'56'' N, long. 147 deg.06'05'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.2-mile radius of Eielson AFB.
* * * * *
Issued in Anchorage, AK, on April 9, 1999.
Willis C. Nelson,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 99-9780 Filed 4-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
