[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 156 (Friday, August 13, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44114-44116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21039]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Airspace Docket No. 99-AAL-6]
Revision of Class D Airspace; Lake Hood, Elmendorf AFB, and
Merrill Field, AK Revision of Class E Airspace; Elmendorf AFB and
Merrill Field, AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action revises the Class D airspace at Lake Hood, AK,
Elmendorf Air Force Base (AFB), AK, and Merrill Field, AK, as well as
the Class E airspace (designated as surface areas) at Elmendorf AFB,
AK, and Merrill Field, AK. The revision of the Anchorage, Alaska,
Terminal Airspace Area segment boundaries affecting Lake Hood, AK,
Elmendorf AFB, AK, and Merrill Field, AK, made this action necessary.
With the exception of the internal boundary between Merrill Field, AK,
and Lake Hood, AK, airspace areas, the adoption of this rule will
result in the alignment of Class D airspace to coincide with the
revised Anchorage Terminal Airspace segment boundaries, eliminating
chart clutter and confusion between segment, Class D boundaries, and
Class E boundaries. The adoption of this rule will also align the
Elmendorf AFB, AK, and Merrill Field, AK, Class E airspace areas
(designated as surface areas) with the Class D boundaries.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, November 4, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Durand, Operations Branch, AAL-
531, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14,
Anchorage, AK 99513-7587; telephone number (907) 271-5898; fax: (907)
271-2850; email: Bob.Durand@faa.gov. Internet address: http://
www.alaska.faa.gov/at.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On October 1, 1997, the FAA published a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register (62 FR 190) to revise the
Anchorage, Alaska, Terminal Area (Docket No. 29029, Notice No. 97-14).
In this rulemaking, the segment boundaries for the Merrill, Lake Hood,
and Elmendorf AFB segments were revised. On March 29, 1999, the FAA
published the final rule in the Federal Register (62 FR 14971) for the
Anchorage, Alaska, Terminal Area, revising boundaries and descriptions
for each segment with the effective date as June 17, 1999.
On April 20, 1999 a proposal to amend part 71 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise the Class D and Class E
airspace in the Anchorage, Alaska, Terminal Area was published in the
Federal Register (64 FR 19310). The proposal was necessary to match the
Class D and Class E airspace boundaries to the changes in segment
boundaries in the Anchorage, Alaska, Terminal Area published in
airspace docket 29029.
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA.
No public comments to the proposal were received, however, the
coordinates for West High School, Ship Creek, and Point Noname were
published with errors. The corrected coordinates for West High School
are 61 deg.12'01''N., 149 deg.55'00''W.; Ship Creek are
61 deg.13'26''N., 149 deg.53'37''W.; and Point Noname are
61 deg.15'36''N., 149 deg.55'39''W. Additionally, the Class D internal
boundary between Lake Hood, AK, and Merrill Field, AK, was modified at
the request of Merrill Field and Anchorage Airport Traffic Control
Towers (ATCT) to return to the pre-existing boundaries for the
following reasons: (1) increase lateral separation between Merrill
Field's West High and Chester Creek arrival and departure routes; (2)
increased lateral separation between Merrill Field traffic and Lake
Hood traffic; (3) operational advantage to both Lake Hood ATCT and
Merrill Field ATCT whereas aircraft traversing from Point MacKenzie
Visual Check Point to the West High School Visual Check Point would not
be spilling over into Lake Hood Class D airspace, requiring additional
Lake Hood ATCT to Merrill Field ATCT coordination and communication;
and (4) operational advantage to both Lake Hood ATCT and Merrill Field
ATCT whereas aircraft, avoiding direct overflight of West High School,
flying south of and around the school (current operational standard)
would not be spilling over into Lake Hood Class D airspace.
The boundary change between Lake Hood and Merrill Field Class D
airspaces is an internal boundary modification and does not affect the
external Class D boundaries. The Lake Hood Class D airspace description
will now read ``* * * within a line beginning at Point Mackenzie,
thence direct to the Mouth of Fish Creek, thence direct to the Northern
Lights Boulevard (Blvd) railroad bridge, thence direct to the
intersection of Tudor Road and the New Seward Highway, * * *'' The
Merrill Field Class D and Class E airspace descriptions will now read
``* * * west along Tudor Road to the New Seward Highway, thence direct
to the Northern Lights Blvd railroad bridge, thence direct to the Mouth
of Fish Creek, thence direct to Point MacKenzie, * * *'' The
coordinates for Northern Lights Blvd railroad bridge and Mouth of Fish
Creek have been added: Northern Lights Blvd railroad bridge (lat.
61 deg.11'43''N., long 149 deg.55'48''W.) and Mouth of Fish Creek (lat.
61 deg.12'21''N., long. 149 deg.55'59''W.).
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 will 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 and the Class E
[[Page 44115]]
airspace designated as surface areas are published in paragraph 6002 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 designations listed in this
document will be revised and published subsequently in the Order.
The Rule
This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 revises Class D and Class E
airspace in the Anchorage, Alaska, Terminal Area. With the exception of
the internal boundary between Merrill Field, AK, and Lake Hood, AK,
airspace areas, the intended effect of this action is to align the
Class D airspace boundaries at Lake Hood, Elmendorf AFB, and Merrill
Field, AK, to match the revised Anchorage, Alaska, Terminal Area
segment boundaries and align the Class E airspace areas at Elmendorf
AFB, AK, and Merrill Field, AK, to match the Class D boundaries.
The FAA has determined that these proposed regulations 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 Anchorage, Elmendorf AFB, AK [Revised]
Anchorage, Elmendorf AFB, AK
(Lat. 61 deg.15'11'' N., long. 149 deg.47'38'' W.)
Point Noname
(Lat. 61 deg.15'36'' N., long. 149 deg.55'39'' W.)
Ship Creek
(Lat. 61 deg.13'26'' N., long. 149 deg.53'37'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,000 feet MSL within a line beginning at Point Noname; thence via
the north bank of the Knik Arm to the intersection of the 4.7-mile
radius of Elmendorf AFB; thence clockwise along the 4.7-mile arc of
Elmendorf AFB to long. 149 deg.46'44'' W., thence south along long.
149 deg.46'44'' W. to lat. 61 deg.19'10'' N., thence to lat.
61 deg.17'58'' N. long. 149 deg.44'08'' W., thence to lat.
61 deg.17'30'' N. long. 149 deg.43'08'' W., thence south along long.
149 deg.43'08'' W. to the Glenn Highway, thence south and west along
the Glenn Highway to Muldoon Road, thence direct to the Mouth of
Ship Creek, thence direct to the point of beginning; excluding that
airspace within the Anchorage International Airport, AK, Class C
airspace. 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.
* * * * *
AAL AK D Anchorage, Lake Hood, AK [Revised]
Anchorage, Lake Hood, AK
(Lat. 61 deg.10'48'' N., long. 149 deg.58'19'' W.)
Anchorage Air Traffic Control Tower
(Lat. 61 deg.10'36'' N., long. 149 deg.58'59'' W.)
Point MacKenzie
(Lat. 61 deg.14'14'' N., long. 149 deg.59'12'' W.)
Northern Lights Blvd Railroad Bridge
(Lat. 61 deg.11'43'' N., long 149 deg.55'48'' W.)
Mouth of Fish Creek
(Lat. 61 deg.12'21'' N., long. 149 deg.55'59'' W.).
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,500 feet MSL within a line beginning at Point Mackenzie, thence
direct to the Mouth of Fish Creek, thence direct to the Northern
Lights Blvd railroad bridge, thence direct to the intersection of
Tudor Road and the New Seward Highway, thence south along the New
Seward Highway to the 090 deg. bearing from the Anchorage Air
Traffic Control Tower, thence west direct to the Anchorage Air
Traffic Control Tower, thence north along the 350 deg. bearing from
the Anchorage Air Traffic Control Tower to the north bank of Knik
Arm, thence via the north bank of Knik Arm to the point of
beginning; excluding that airspace within the Anchorage
International Airport, AK, Class C airspace.
* * * * *
AAL AK D Anchorage, Merrill Field, AK [Revised]
Anchorage, Merrill Field, AK
(Lat. 61 deg.12'52'' N., long. 149 deg.50'46'' W.)
Point Noname
(Lat. 61 deg.15'36'' N., long. 149 deg.55'39'' W.)
Point MacKenzie
(Lat. 61 deg.14'14'' N., long. 149 deg. 59'12''W.)
Ship Creek
(Lat. 61 deg.13'26'' N., long. 149 deg.53'37''W.)
Northern Lights Blvd Railroad Bridge
(Lat. 61 deg.11'43'' N., long 149 deg.55'48''W.)
Nouth of Fish Creek
(Lat. 61 deg.12'21''N., long. 149 deg.55'59''W.).
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,500 feet MSL within a line beginning at Point Noname, thence
direct to the Mouth of Ship Creek, thence direct to the intersection
of the Glenn Highway and Muldoon Road, thence south along Muldoon
Road to Tudor Road, thence west along Tudor Road to the New Seward
Highway, thence direct to the Mouth of Fish Creek, thence direct to
the Northern Lights Blvd railroad bridge, thence direct to Point
MacKenzie, thence via the north bank of Knik Arm to the point of
beginning; excluding that airspace within the Anchorage
International Airport, AK, Class C airspace. 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 Anchorage, Elmendorf AFB, AK [Revised]
Anchorage, Elmendorf AFB, AK
(Lat. 61 deg.15'11''N., long. 149 deg.47'38''W.)
Point Noname
(Lat. 61 deg.15'36'' N., long. 149 deg.55'39''W.)
Ship Creek
(Lat. 61 deg.13'26'' N., long. 149 deg. 53'37''W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,000 feet MSL within a line beginning at Point Noname; thence via
the north bank of the Knik Arm to the intersection of the 4.7-mile
radius of Elmendorf AFB; thence clockwise along the 4.7-mile arc of
Elmendorf AFB to long. 149 deg.46'44'' W., thence south along long.
149 deg.46'44'' W. to lat. 61 deg.19'10'' N., thence to lat.
61 deg.17'58'' N. long. 149 deg.44'08'' W., thence to lat.
61 deg.17'30'' N. long. 149 deg.43'08'' W., thence south along long.
149 deg.43'08'' W. to the Glenn Highway, thence south and west along
the Glenn Highway to Muldoon Road, thence direct to the Mouth of
Ship Creek, thence direct to the point of beginning; excluding that
airspace within the Anchorage International Airport, AK, Class C
airspace. This Class E airspace area is effective during the
specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to
Airmen. The effective
[[Page 44116]]
date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the
Airport/Facility Directory.
* * * * *
AAL AK E2 Anchorage, Merrill Field, AK [Revised]
Anchorage, Merrill Field, AK (Lat. 61 deg.12'52'' N., long.
149 deg.50'46'' W.)
Point Noname
(Lat. 61 deg.15'36'' N., long. 149 deg.55'39'' W.)
Point MacKenzie
(Lat. 61 deg.14'14'' N., long. 149 deg.59'12'' W.)
Ship Creek
(Lat. 61 deg.13'26'' N., long. 149 deg.53'37'' W.)
Northern Lights Blvd railroad Bridge
(Lat. 61 deg.11'43'' N., long 149 deg.55'48'' W.)
Mouth of Fish Creek
(Lat. 61 deg.12'21'' N., long. 149 deg.55'59'' W.).
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,500 feet MSL within a line beginning at Point Noname, thence
direct to the Mouth of Ship Creek, thence direct to the intersection
of the Glenn Highway and Muldoon Road, thence south along Muldoon
Road to Tudor Road, thence west along Tudor Road to the New Seward
Highway, thence direct to the Mouth of Fish Creek, thence direct to
the Northern Lights Blvd railroad bridge, thence direct to Point
MacKenzie, thence via the north bank of Knik Arm to the point of
beginning; excluding that airspace within the Anchorage
International Airport, AK, Class C airspace. 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.
* * * * *
Issued in Anchorage, AK, on August 6, 1999.
Willis C. Nelson,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 99-21039 Filed 8-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
