E7-12794. Revision of Class E Airspace; Red Dog, AK

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action revises Class E airspace at Red Dog, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing Instrument Approach Procedures. Two Area Navigation (RNAV) Required Navigation Performance (RNP) Special Instrument Approach Procedures and an RNAV RNP Special Departure Procedure (DP) are being developed for the Red Dog Airport. This action revises existing Class E airspace upward from 1,200 feet (ft.) above the surface at Red Dog Airport, Red Dog, AK.

DATES:

Effective Date: 0901 UTC, August 30, 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 Monday, April 9, 2007, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise Class E airspace upward from 1,200 ft. above the surface at Red Dog, AK (72 FR 17445). The action was proposed in order to create Class E airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft while executing Special Instrument Approach Procedures for the Red Dog Airport. A recent rulemaking action revealed that a small area of additional controlled airspace is required for these procedures. Additionally, the coordinates listed for the Red Dog Airport and the Selawik VOR/DME have been updated to reflect the most current location surveys. Class E controlled airspace extending upward from 1,200 ft. above the surface, in the Red Dog Airport area is revised by this action.

Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One comment in favor of the action was received. 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 Red Dog Airport, Alaska. This Class E airspace is revised to accommodate aircraft executing Special Instrument Approach Procedures, and will be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The intended effect of this rule is to provide adequate controlled airspace for Instrument Flight Rules operations at the Red Dog Airport, Red Dog, 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 Red Dog 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), 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 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 Red Dog, AK [Revised]

Red Dog Airport, AK

(Lat. 68°01′56″ N., long. 162°53′57″ W.)

Noatak NDB/DME, AK

(Lat. 67°34′19″ N., long. 162°58′26″ W.)

Selawik VOR/DME, AK

(Lat. 66°35′58″ N., long. 159°59′27″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.3-mile radius of the Red Dog Airport, AK; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 ft. above the surface within a 14-mile radius of the Red Dog Airport, AK, and within 5 miles either side of a line from the Selawik VOR/DME, AK, to lat. 67°38′06″ N., long. 162°21′42″ W., to lat. 67°54′30″ N., long. 163°00′00″ W., and within 5 miles either side of a line from the Noatak NDB/DME, AK, to lat. 67°50′20″ N., long. 163°19′16″ W., and within 8 miles either side of the 219° bearing of the Red Dog NDB, AK, extending from the 14-mile radius from the Red Dog NDB, AK, to 30 miles southwest of the Red Dog Airport, AK.

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Issued in Anchorage, AK, on June 25, 2007.

Anthony M. Wylie,

Manager, Alaska Flight Services Information Area Group.