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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 58 (Monday, March 26, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17362-17363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7232]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0363; Airspace Docket No. 11-ANM-8]

Proposed Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace and 
Revocation of Class E Airspace; Bellingham, WA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify Class D and Class E airspace at 
Bellingham, WA, to accommodate aircraft departing and arriving under 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) at Bellingham International Airport. This 
action also would remove Class E airspace designated as an extension to 
a Class D or E surface area at Bellingham International Airport. This 
action, initiated by the biennial review of the Bellingham airspace 
area, would enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at 
the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 10, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590; 
telephone (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2011-
0363; Airspace Docket No. 11-ANM-8, at the beginning of your comments. 
You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eldon Taylor, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as 
they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA 2011-0363 and Airspace Docket No. 11-ANM-8) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped 
postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to FAA 
Docket No. FAA-2011-0363 and Airspace Docket No. 11-ANM-8''. The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified closing date 
for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the closing date 
for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see the ADDRESSES section for the address and phone number) 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the Northwest Mountain Regional Office of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Western Service 
Center, Operations Support Group, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 
98057.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRM's should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, 
for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application 
procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) Part 71 by modifying Class D airspace and Class E 
airspace designated as surface area to meet current standards for IFR 
departures and arrivals at Bellingham International Airport, 
Bellingham, WA. This modification eliminates the need for Class E 
airspace designated as an extension to a Class D or E surface area, 
and, therefore, would be removed. This action, initiated by a biennial 
review of the airspace, is necessary for the safety and management of 
aircraft departing and arriving under IFR operations at the airport.
    Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 
5000, 6002 and 6004, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9V, dated August 
9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR Part 71.1. The Class D and E airspace designation 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in this Order.
    The FAA has determined this proposed regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this proposed 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

[[Page 17363]]

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 this proposed 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.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. Subtitle 1, Section 106, describes 
the authority for 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 the 
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient 
use of airspace. This proposal is within the scope of that authority as 
it modifies controlled airspace at Bellingham International Airport, 
Bellingham, WA.
    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E. ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal 
Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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(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 Part 71.1 of the 
Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9V, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 
2011 is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.

* * * * *

ANM WA D Bellingham, WA [Modified]

Bellingham International Airport, WA
    (Lat. 48[deg]47'34'' N., long. 122[deg]32'15'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 4.1-mile radius of Bellingham International 
Airport. This Class D airspace is effective during the 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.

* * * * *

ANM WA E2 Bellingham, WA [Modified]

Bellingham International Airport, WA
    (Lat. 48[deg]47'34'' N., long. 122[deg]32'15'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.1-
mile radius of Bellingham International Airport. This Class E 
airspace is effective during the 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 6004 Class E airspace areas designated as an extension to 
Class D or Class E surface area.

* * * * *

ANM WA E4 Bellingham, WA [Removed]

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on March 19, 2012.
Vered Lovett,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2012-7232 Filed 3-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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