2020-16314. Amendment of Class E Airspace; Sitka, AK

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action modifies Class E airspace, designated as a surface area, at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, AK. This action also establishes a Class E airspace area, designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area. Additionally, this action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. Further, this action revokes Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. Lastly, this action implements several administrative amendments to the airspace legal descriptions.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, November 5, 2020. 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 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES:

FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/​/air_​traffic/​publications/​. For further information, you can contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone]. The Order is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of FAA Order 7400.11D at NARA, email [e-mail] or go to https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Matthew Van Der Wal, Federal Aviation Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S. 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for This Rulemaking

The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, 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 I, Section 40103. Under that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority as it amends Class E airspace at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, AK, to ensure the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

History

The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (85 FR 27172; May 7, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2020-0352 to amend Class E airspace at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, AK. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.

Class E2, E4, and E5 airspace designations are published in paragraphs 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11D, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document amends FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 modifies Class E airspace, designated as a surface area, at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, AK. This area is described as follows: That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.1-mile radius of Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, and within 1.5 miles each side of the 209° bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 4.4 miles southwest of Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport.

This action also establishes Class E airspace area, designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, at the airport. This area is described as follows: That airspace extending upward from the surface within 4 miles north and 8 miles south of the 315° bearing from the airport, extending from 0.9 miles northwest of the airport to 28.3 miles northwest of the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport.

Additionally, this action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. This area is described as follows: That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.6-mile radius of the airport, and within 5 miles each side of the 216° bearing from the airport, extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 26 miles southwest of the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport; excluding that airspace extending beyond 12 miles from the coast.

Further, this action revokes Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. This airspace is wholly contained within the Alaska southeast en route area and duplication is not necessary.

Lastly, this action implements several administrative amendments to the airspace legal descriptions. The airport's geographic coordinates are updated to lat. 57°02′49″ N, long. 135°21′40″ W. The following two sentences are removed from the Class E surface area legal description “This Class E airspace area is effective during 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.”

FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is published yearly and effective on September 15.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

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, is non-controversial, and unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. 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, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures,” paragraph 5-6.5a. This airspace action is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment.

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, B, C, D, AND 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(f), 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 FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Sitka, AK [Amended]

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK

(Lat. 57°02′49″ N, long. 135°21′40″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.1 mile radius of Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, and within 1.5 miles each side of the 209° bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 4.4 miles southwest of the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport.

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

AAL AK E4 Sitka, AK [New]

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK

(Lat. 57°02′49″ N, long. 135°21′40″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within 4 miles north and 8 miles south of the 315° bearing from the airport, extending from 0.9 miles northwest of the airport to 28.3 miles northwest of the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport.

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Sitka, AK [Amended]

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK

(Lat. 57°02′49″ N, long. 135°21′40″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.6-mile radius of the airport, and within 5 miles each side of the 216° bearing from the airport, extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 26 miles southwest of the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport; excluding that airspace extending beyond 12 miles from the coast.

Issued in Seattle, Washington, on July 22, 2020.

B.G. Chew,

Acting Group Manager, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group.