97-12051. Temporary Establishment of Class D Airspace; Anchorage International Airport, AK  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 90 (Friday, May 9, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 25445-25447]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-12051]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 71
    
    [Airspace Docket No. 97-AAL-3]
    
    
    Temporary Establishment of Class D Airspace; Anchorage 
    International Airport, AK
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This action establishes a temporary Class D airspace area east 
    of the Anchorage International Airport, AK, while Runway 06R/24L is 
    closed for construction and at times for the closure of portions of 
    Runway 32/14. During these closures, heavy or large commercial aircraft 
    will be departing to the east from Runway 06L or arriving from the east 
    to land on Runway 24R. The intended effect of this action is to enhance 
    safety by reducing the possibility of small general aviation aircraft 
    encountering wake turbulence from, or conflicting with, heavy or large 
    aircraft departing or arriving Anchorage International Airport.
    
    DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, May 22, 1997.
        Expiration date: 0901 UTC, September 15, 1997.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert C. Durand, System Management 
    Branch, AAL-530, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 
    222 West 7th Avenue #14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587; telephone number: 
    (907) 271-5898.
    
    [[Page 25446]]
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        Normally, heavy or large aircraft depart on Runway 32 to the north 
    and arrive on Runway 06R from the west at Anchorage International 
    Airport. The Anchorage International Airport Manager has informed the 
    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that beginning in May 1997, 
    Runway 32 will have a displaced threshold with 9400 feet remaining 
    available for departures until June 1997. Also, Runway 06R/24L will be 
    closed for construction from June 1997 until September 1997. These 
    closures will necessitate that heavy or large aircraft operating to or 
    from Anchorage International Airport arrive from or depart to the east 
    using Runway 24R/06L. Part of this airspace is a transition corridor 
    used by small general aviation aircraft operating under visual flight 
    rules (VFR) to or from Lake Hood, Merrill Field, and Anchorage 
    International airports. The FAA has received notification from the Air 
    Transport Association of America and several airlines (Alaska Airlines, 
    Federal Express, and Northwest Airlines), expressing concerns about 
    heavy or large aircraft departing Runway 06L conflicting with VFR 
    traffic east of Anchorage International Airport.
    
    The Rule
    
        This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
    establishes a Temporary Class D airspace area from the surface to 4,100 
    feet mean sea level (MSL) east of Anchorage International Airport, AK 
    (see appendix). Pilots operating in this airspace above 1200 feet MSL 
    will be required to be in radio contact with Anchorage Radar Approach 
    Control air traffic controllers. These aircraft will be provided 
    traffic advisories, wake turbulence advisories and safety alerts. 
    Additionally, controllers will provide separation services between 
    special VFR operations and aircraft executing instrument departure/
    approach procedures from/to the Anchorage International Airport. For 
    those pilots operating at and below 1200 feet MSL, radio communications 
    shall be established and maintained with either Lake Hood or Merrill 
    Airport Traffic Control Towers or Anchorage Approach Control prior to 
    entering this airspace. This action is intended to enhance safety by 
    reducing the possibility of small general aviation aircraft 
    encountering wake turbulence from, or conflicting with, heavy or large 
    aircraft departing or arriving Anchorage International Airport.
        Because the circumstances described in this final rule warrant 
    immediate action by the FAA to maintain the safety of flight, the FAA 
    concludes that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. section 
    553(b) are impracticable and good cause, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. section 
    553(d), exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 
    days.
        The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
    American Datum 83. Class D airspace area designations are published in 
    paragraph 5000 of FAA Order 7400.9D dated September 4, 1996, and 
    effective September 16, 1996, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
    CFR 71.1. This Class D airspace area listed in this document will be 
    published subsequently in the Order.
        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. 
    Therefore, this regulation--(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 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.
    
    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--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for 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; 14 CFR 11.69.
    
    Sec. 71.1  [Amended]
    
        2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
    Aviation Administration Order 7400.9D, Airspace Designations and 
    Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 
    1996, is amended as follows:
    
    Paragraph 5000--Class D Airspace
    
    * * * * *
    
    AAL AK D  Temporary Anchorage, AK [New]
    
        That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
    4,100 feet MSL within a line beginning at the intersection of the New 
    Seward Highway and O'Malley Road, at lat. 61 deg.07'23'' N; long. 
    149 deg.51'23'' W; thence east to the intersection of O'Malley Road and 
    Lake Otis Park Way at lat. 61 deg.07'23'' N; long. 149 deg.50'03'' W; 
    thence north to the intersection of Lake Otis Park Way and Abbott Road 
    at lat. 61 deg.08'14'' N; long. 149 deg.50'03'' W; thence east to the 
    intersection of Abbott Road and Abbott Loop Road at lat. 61 deg.08'14'' 
    N; long. 149 deg.48'16'' W; thence due north to Tudor Road at lat. 
    61 deg.10'51'' N; long. 149 deg.48'16'' W; thence west to the 
    intersection of Tudor Road and New Seward Highway at lat. 
    61 deg.10'51'' N; long. 149 deg.51'38'' W; thence south along the New 
    Seward Highway to the point of beginning.
    * * * * *
    
        Issued in Anchorage, AK, April 30, 1997.
    Willis C. Nelson,
    Manager, Air Traffic Division.
    
        Note: This appendix will not appear in the Code of Federal 
    Regulations.
    
    Appendix--Temporary Establishment of Class D Airspace; Anchorage 
    International Airport, Alaska (AK)
    
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
    
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    [FR Doc. 97-12051 Filed 5-8-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-C
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
05/09/1997
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
97-12051
Pages:
25445-25447 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Airspace Docket No. 97-AAL-3
PDF File:
97-12051.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 71.1