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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 176 (Monday, September 12, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62801-62806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21377]

[[Page 62801]]

Vol. 81

Monday,

No. 176

September 12, 2016

Part II

Department of Transportation

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Federal Aviation Administration

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14 CFR Part 93

14 CFR Part 71

Pearson Field Airport Special Flight Rules Area and Revocation of Class 
D Airspace; Vancouver, WA; Final Rules

Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 176 / Monday, September 12, 2016 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 62802]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 93

[Docket No.: FAA-2015-3980; Amdt. No. 93-100]
RIN 2120-AK74

Pearson Field Airport Special Flight Rules Area

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is establishing a Special Flight Rules Area in the 
vicinity of Pearson Field Airport, Vancouver, Washington. Pearson Field 
Airport is located approximately three nautical miles northwest of 
Portland International Airport, Portland, Oregon. The close proximity 
of the airport traffic patterns and approach courses create converging 
flight paths between traffic on approach to Portland International 
Airport and traffic at Pearson Field Airport, increasing the risk for 
near mid-air collision, mid-air collision and wake turbulence events. 
The intended effect of this action is to mitigate the identified risk 
by establishing operating requirements applicable to all aircraft when 
operating within a designated area at Pearson Field Airport, which 
would increase overall system efficiency and safety.

DATES: Effective November 10, 2016, except for amendatory instruction 
#1, which is effective September 12, 2016.

ADDRESSES: For information on where to obtain copies of rulemaking 
documents and other information related to this final rule, see ``How 
to Obtain Additional Information'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Moorman, Airspace and Rules 
Team, AJV-115, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-8783; email 
Patrick.moorman@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Executive Summary

    This rule establishes a special flight rules area (SFRA) around 
Pearson Field Airport (Pearson Field) in which pilots will have to 
follow mandatory procedures. These procedures are necessary to assist 
in the separation of air traffic, and to ensure pilots are aware of 
potential traffic conflicts between aircraft operating at Pearson Field 
and Portland International Airport. The notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) was published on October 6, 2015. 80 FR 60310. The FAA received 
16 comments to the NPRM. All but one of the commenters supported 
creation of the special flight rules area for Pearson Field. However, 
those commenters believed that findings from the Safety Risk Management 
Panel for Pearson Field should be expressly included in the regulation. 
Based on the comments received, the FAA has made one minor change to 
proposed 14 CFR 93.163 regarding operations over the runway or extended 
runway centerline of Pearson Field. This final rule will ensure safety 
of flight for aircraft operating at Pearson Field Airport and the 
adjacent Portland International Airport.

II. Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety is found in 
Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.). 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 49 
U.S.C. 106(f), which establishes the authority of the Administrator to 
promulgate regulations and rules. This rulemaking also is promulgated 
under the authority described in 49 U.S.C. 40103, which vests the 
Administrator with broad authority to prescribe regulations to assign 
the use of airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the 
efficient use of airspace, and 49 U.S.C. 44701(a)(5), which requires 
the Administrator to promote safe flight of civil aircraft in air 
commerce by prescribing regulations and minimum standards for other 
practices, methods, and procedures necessary for safety in air commerce 
and national security.

III. Background and History

    Pearson Field is located on the north bank of the Columbia River in 
Vancouver, Washington, approximately three nautical miles west of 
Portland International Airport, Portland, Oregon. Pearson Field is part 
of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, and is listed on the 
National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the oldest airports 
in the United States, and the longest continually operating airport 
west of the Mississippi. Pearson Field does not have an air traffic 
control tower.
    Portland International Airport is located 10 miles northeast of 
downtown Portland and has over 300,000 annual operations, primarily 
scheduled air carriers conducting operations under Title 14 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 121. It serves northern Oregon and 
southwest Washington with service to 120 cities worldwide. Due to the 
continued growth of Portland International Airport and the close 
proximity of Pearson Field, the FAA has identified safety issues.
    The airspace area surrounding Pearson Field is excluded from the 
Portland International Airport Class C airspace area and is commonly 
referred to as the Pearson cutout. The runway 08 threshold at Pearson 
Field is directly below the instrument landing system (ILS) final 
approach course to Portland International Airport's runway 10L. 
Additionally, runway 10L was expanded to accommodate heavy aircraft and 
Boeing 757s. These operations increase the risk of wake turbulence 
events between Portland International Airport arrivals to runway 10L or 
departures from runway 28L/28R and aircraft operating at Pearson Field.
    The Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) lists the traffic pattern 
altitude at Pearson Field as 1029 feet mean sea level (MSL) or 1000 
feet above ground level (AGL). The A/FD also instructs aircraft 
operating over the runway centerline or extended runway centerline at 
Pearson Field to ``maintain at or below 700 feet MSL due to traffic and 
wake turbulence from overflying aircraft to/from Portland International 
Airport Runway 10L/28R.'' This is because aircraft established on the 
Portland International Airport ILS final approach course to runway 10L 
pass directly over Pearson's runway 08 threshold at 1091 feet MSL (1062 
feet AGL). The close proximity of the traffic pattern and the approach 
course create converging flight paths between aircraft on approach to 
Portland International Airport's runway 10L/10R and aircraft operating 
at Pearson Field.
    These converging flight paths and the lack of vertical separation 
create potential safety concerns for aircraft operating at both Pearson 
Field and Portland International Airport, including risk of mid-air 
collision and wake turbulence events. Currently, there is no 
requirement for pilots to establish communications with air traffic 
control to receive traffic advisories. In particular, when Portland 
International Airport is operating on an east traffic flow and weather 
permits aircraft to operate under visual flight rules (VFR) at Pearson 
Field the occurrence of traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) 
resolution advisories (RA) increases.
    To mitigate the identified risk, FAA's Portland Approach Control 
took

[[Page 62803]]

measures to increase safety, which included training controllers 
regarding flight paths into and out of Pearson Field, and refresher 
training regarding RAs, safety alerts and wake turbulence. Portland Air 
Traffic Control Tower established the ``Pearson Advisory'' position to 
provide traffic advisories to aircraft operating at Pearson Field. 
Additionally, recommended pilot communications and procedures were 
placed in the A/FD, which are voluntary but not required. While these 
mitigations have increased safety and pilot awareness, 20 TCAS RAs were 
reported and logged by air traffic control during calendar year 2014, 
and 18 TCAS RAs were reported and logged during calendar year 2015, 
reflecting an ongoing safety concern.

IV. The Final Rule

a. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    To address the safety concerns between traffic operating at Pearson 
Field and Portland International Airport, the FAA published a notice of 
proposed rulemaking to establish a SFRA at Pearson Field by adding new 
subpart N to part 93, where special air traffic rules are codified. 80 
FR 60310 (October 6, 2015). The proposed rule provided a description of 
the airspace area (proposed Sec.  93.162), communication requirements 
in the SFRA for both inbound and outbound flights (proposed Sec.  
93.163(a)), and procedural requirements necessary to reduce the risks 
associated with the operation (proposed Sec.  93.163(c)).
    That NPRM proposed to make the following voluntary practices in the 
A/FD and air traffic procedures applicable in the Pearson Field SFRA 
and mandatory for all pilots unless otherwise authorized by Air Traffic 
Control (ATC):
     Pilots must establish two-way radio communications with 
Pearson Advisory on the common traffic advisory frequency for the 
purpose of receiving air traffic advisories prior to entering the SFRA 
or taxiing onto the runway for departure. Additionally, pilots must 
continuously monitor the frequency at all times while operating within 
the designated airspace.
     When operating over the extended centerline of Pearson 
Field Runway 8/26, pilots must maintain an altitude at or below 700 
feet MSL.
     Pilots must obtain the Pearson Field weather prior to 
establishing two-way communications with Pearson Advisory.
     Pilots must remain outside Portland Class C Airspace.
     Pilots must make a right-hand traffic pattern when 
operating to/from Pearson Field Runway 26.
     Pilots may operate in the area without establishing two-
way radio communication, in the event of radio failure, provided that 
weather conditions at Pearson Field are at or above basic VFR weather 
minimums.

B. Comments Received

    The FAA received sixteen comments to the NPRM: Nine from 
individuals (one individual submitted two comments, and another 
individual submitted three comments); and four comments from 
organizations: The Port of Portland, Washington Airport Management 
Association, the Pearson Field Airport Manager, and the Aircraft Owners 
and Pilots Association. Four of the nine individuals who commented to 
the notice of proposed rulemaking had previously participated in Safety 
Risk Management Panels related to Pearson Field.
    One individual commenter supported the NPRM without change. Seven 
individuals and the four organizations expressed general support for 
the rulemaking action. All of the comments supporting the NPRM 
discussed concerns regarding the proposed rule and recommended changes 
to more closely align the rule with current safety risk management 
procedures. One individual commenter opposed the NPRM. A discussion of 
the comments received and FAA's responses follows.
    The 2012 safety risk management panel and the proposed rule: The 
Port of Portland, Washington Airport Management Association, Pearson 
Field Airport Manager, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and six 
individual commenters--four of whom had participated in previous Safety 
Risk Management Panels--supported replacing the Class D airspace at 
Pearson Field with Class E airspace accompanied by a special flight 
rule in part 93, provided that the final rule and charting included all 
procedural elements described in Safety Risk Management Document (SRMD) 
SRMD-PDX-VUO-SI-2012-2991, Appendices J, K, and L and Letter to Airmen 
LTA-PDX-01. Commenters asserted that these procedures, developed by the 
FAA and users as part of the 2012 Safety Risk Management Panel, have 
been shown to be safe and efficient for commercial and recreational 
pilots at both Pearson Field and Portland International Airport.
    Commenters also argued that the proposed regulatory text has lost 
the intent of the Safety Risk Management Panel by removing certain 
provisions. Commenters believed that the proposed rule should include 
the specific language recommended within the Safety Risk Management 
Document. Commenters asserted that changes in the proposed regulatory 
text negate the risk management strategies the Panel approved in the 
SRMD and introduce new risk into the system in violation of the FAA's 
own process. Commenters also believed the intent of the rule is to 
codify and replace LTA-PDX-01. The Pearson Field Airport manager, AOPA, 
and two individuals provided specific recommendations to better align 
the SFRA with the current SRMD.
    The purpose of this rulemaking is not to replace or codify the 
implemented mitigations discussed in SRMD-PDX-VUO-SI-2012-2991, 
including the procedural recommendations and provisions in Appendices 
J, K, and L. The FAA points out that initiation of a rule to establish 
a special flight rules area was not discussed or recommended in SRMD-
PDX-VUO-SI-2012-2991.
    Two commenters specifically requested that SRMD-PDX-VUO-SI-2012-
2991 be referenced in the final rule, both in the preamble and the 
regulatory text. This is not appropriate. The safety mitigations as 
discussed in the SRMD were not regulatory and were implemented using 
appropriate means. Specifically, the content of Appendix J was placed 
as a special notice in the A/FD, the content of Appendix K was 
published in a Letter to Airman, and the content of Appendix L is 
reflected on the Seattle Sectional Aeronautical Chart. This rulemaking 
did not propose to amend, eliminate, or address any of the implemented 
mitigations resulting from SRMD-PDX-VUO-SI-2012-2991.
    This rulemaking codifies the communications requirement, altitude 
limitation over the runway and runway centerline, and certain air 
traffic control (ATC) instructions that were listed in SRMD-PDX-VUO-SI-
2012-2991 as existing controls already in place at the time of the 
panel's analysis but they were only recommendations. With this 
rulemaking, the FAA formalizes aspects of those existing controls.
    Best practices for compliance, including procedural 
recommendations, and supplementary information are not appropriate to 
codify in the regulation but are appropriate for other FAA 
publications, such as the special notice placed in the A/FD. The FAA 
does not find that this rule is contradictory to, or would prevent a 
pilot from complying with, the procedural recommendations contained in 
other FAA publications for operations at Pearson Field Airport.
    The safety mitigations currently in place are only strengthened by 
this rule. Pilots must comply with the special

[[Page 62804]]

flight rules and should continue to comply with all recommended 
procedures when operating to and from Pearson Field. This rulemaking 
does not replace or amend that guidance.
    Communication requirement: An individual believed that the proposal 
reduced (by omission) the inbound distance from Pearson Field that 
pilots are required to establish contact with Pearson Advisory from 5 
miles to approximately 1.5 miles. The commenter asserted that this will 
result in increased traffic congestion over a populated area between 
1,000 and 1,100 MSL in a small area northwest of Pearson Field and 
south of Vancouver Lake (thus increasing traffic conflict hazards and 
increasing noise over neighborhoods).
    The commenters incorrectly understood the NPRM to state that a 
pilot should make his or her initial radio call when entering the 
traffic pattern. Rather, the proposal was to establish a mandatory 
requirement for a pilot to establish two-way radio communications with 
Pearson Advisory on the common traffic advisory frequency prior to 
entering the SFRA or taxiing onto the runway for departure. 
Additionally, pilots would have to continuously monitor the frequency 
at all times while operating within the designated airspace.
    At Pearson Field, local procedures listed in the A/FD include a 
recommendation that arriving pilots contact Pearson Advisory at least 5 
miles from the field to announce their position and intentions. Pilots 
should comply with all recommended procedures when operating to and 
from the airport; however, this rule makes it mandatory for a pilot to 
establish two-way radio communications prior to entering the SFRA. 
Codifying the 5 mile communication requirement would provide less 
flexibility to adjust local procedures as necessary.
    Altitude limitation over the runway centerline: One individual 
pointed out that the rule language only limits the operating altitude 
over the runway centerline and not the over runway itself. The 
commenter believed this would allow an aircraft, over the runway, to 
climb to a potentially unsafe altitude. The FAA agrees with the 
commenter that this could create a potentially unsafe situation.
    If a departing aircraft, or an aircraft completing a go-around, 
were to start a crosswind prior to reaching the runway end, it would be 
possible for that pilot to climb to an altitude greater than 700 feet 
above mean sea level without having operated over the extended runway 
centerline. The FAA has revised proposed Sec.  93.163(c)(1) to read: 
``When operating over the runway or extended runway centerline of 
Pearson Field Runway 8/26 maintain an altitude at or below 700 feet 
above mean sea level.''
    Circling aircraft: One commenter believed that the new SFRA will 
force incoming pilots to circle their aircraft at low altitudes for 
longer periods of time which could lead to noise complaints, wasted 
fuel, and contribute toward making Pearson Field less desirable. The 
commenter also believed that the SFRA could lead to a decrease in use 
of Pearson Field, as the rules make it harder for maintenance shops and 
flight schools to use Pearson for Touch-and-Go flights which bring 
money to Pearson Field. The commenter believed that this financial 
issue should be weighed with the option of putting a control tower in 
place.
    In making certain voluntary practices mandatory for all pilots, 
unless otherwise authorized by ATC, this rule creates no more of a 
deterrent to pilots than currently exists under the voluntary 
procedures. Furthermore, establishment of the SFRA, along with charting 
of the area, will create greater awareness of the unique operating 
environment at Pearson Field and reduce the risk of a pilot operating 
to or from the airport without knowledge of the local procedures.
    Existing procedures: The commenter who opposed the proposed rule 
believed that the A/FD entry for Pearson already has mandatory 
procedures concerning conflict avoidance, and a SFRA would be 
burdensome upon general aviation pilots in the area, and would act as a 
deterrent for transient pilots, who may choose another airport due to 
lack of SFRA knowledge. The commenter thus believed that the SFRA would 
harm the economic impact of this airport. The FAA disagrees. The 
intended effect of this action is to mitigate the identified risk by 
establishing requirements necessary when operating within an 
established area at Pearson Field, and to increase overall system 
efficiency and safety; the expected outcome will have only a minimal 
impact.
    FAA guidance such as the procedures contained in the A/FD are not 
mandatory and do not constitute a regulation. This guidance is 
voluntary and is issued to outline methods of best practice for 
compliance to the regulations.

V. Regulatory Notices and Analyses

A. Regulatory Evaluation

    Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic 
analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563 direct 
that each Federal agency shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon 
a reasoned determination that the benefits of the intended regulation 
justify its costs. Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. 
L. 96-354) requires agencies to analyze the economic impact of 
regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the Trade Agreements Act 
(Pub. L. 96-39) prohibits agencies from setting standards that create 
unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. In 
developing U.S. standards, the Trade Act requires agencies to consider 
international standards and, where appropriate, that they be the basis 
of U.S. standards. Fourth, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-4) requires agencies to prepare a written assessment of 
the costs, benefits, and other effects of proposed or final rules that 
include a Federal mandate likely to result in the expenditure by State, 
local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector, of $100 million or more annually (adjusted for inflation with 
base year of 1995). This portion of the preamble summarizes the FAA's 
analysis of the economic impacts of this final rule.
    Department of Transportation Order DOT 2100.5 prescribes policies 
and procedures for simplification, analysis, and review of regulations. 
If the expected cost impact is so minimal that a proposed or final rule 
does not warrant a full evaluation, this order permits that a statement 
to that effect and the basis for it to be included in the preamble if a 
full regulatory evaluation of the cost and benefits is not prepared. 
Such a determination has been made for this final rule. The reasoning 
for this determination follows. The FAA received no comments on the 
initial regulatory evaluation minimal cost determination. The FAA makes 
the same determination herein and provides the logic below.
    Due to the continued growth of Portland International Airport and 
the close proximity of Pearson Field, safety issues have been 
identified. To address the safety concerns between traffic operating at 
Pearson Field and Portland International Airport, the FAA is 
establishing a SFRA at Pearson Field in part 93. The final rule 
provides a description of the area, communication requirements for both 
inbound and outbound flights, and procedural requirements necessary to 
reduce the risks associated with the operation.
    Currently, pilots voluntarily comply with procedures in the 
airport/facility directory, to establish two-way radio

[[Page 62805]]

communications with Pearson Advisory, and to maintain at or below 700 
feet above mean sea level when operating over the extended centerline 
of Pearson Field Runway 8/26. Additionally, air traffic control 
instructs pilots on Pearson advisory to obtain the Pearson Field 
weather, and to remain outside Portland Class C Airspace. As a result 
of being required to remain outside of Portland's Class C Airspace, 
pilots must make a non-standard right traffic pattern if landing on 
runway 26 at Pearson Field. A non-standard right traffic pattern is 
different, required for safety, but imposes only minimal cost. The 
other requirements of establishing two-way communication, obtaining the 
weather report, maintaining an altitude at or below 700 feet when 
operating over the runway, and remaining outside of Portland Class C 
Airspace are all minimal cost. The safety concern is real. Twenty TCAS 
resolution advisories (RAs) were reported and logged by air traffic 
control during calendar year 2014, and 18 TCAS RAs were reported and 
logged during calendar year 2015, reflecting an ongoing safety concern. 
By making the voluntary compliance mandatory, the FAA expects a 
decrease in the occurrence of, and will avoid an increase in, RAs. For 
the reasons discussed above, the cost of the rule will be minimal.
    The FAA has, therefore, determined that this rule is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' as defined in section 3(f) of 
Executive Order 12866, and is not ``significant'' as defined in DOT's 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354) (RFA) 
establishes ``as a principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall 
endeavor, consistent with the objectives of the rule and of applicable 
statutes, to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale 
of the businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions 
subject to regulation. To achieve this principle, agencies are required 
to solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain 
the rationale for their actions to assure that such proposals are given 
serious consideration.'' The RFA covers a wide range of small entities, 
including small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and small 
governmental jurisdictions.
    Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a rule will 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. If the agency determines that it will, the agency must 
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in the RFA.
    However, if an agency determines that a rule is not expected to 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, section 605(b) of the RFA provides that the head of the 
agency may so certify and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not 
required. The certification must include a statement providing the 
factual basis for this determination, and the reasoning should be 
clear.
    The FAA believes that this final rule does not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the 
following reasons. For the initial regulatory flexibility analysis the 
FAA explained while the rule would affect a substantial number of small 
entities, the costs would be minimal. We received no comments on that 
analysis. With this rule, the procedures and voluntary practices 
already in place will become mandatory. The intended effect of this 
action is to mitigate the identified risk by establishing requirements 
necessary when operating within an established area at Pearson Field, 
and to increase overall system efficiency and safety. The expected 
outcome will have only a minimal economic impact on small entities 
affected by this rulemaking action.
    Therefore, as provided in section 605(b), the head of the FAA 
certifies that this rulemaking will not result in a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

C. International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39), as amended by the 
Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), prohibits Federal 
agencies from establishing standards or engaging in related activities 
that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United 
States. Pursuant to these Acts, the establishment of standards is not 
considered an unnecessary obstacle to the foreign commerce of the 
United States, so long as the standard has a legitimate domestic 
objective, such as the protection of safety, and does not operate in a 
manner that excludes imports that meet this objective. The statute also 
requires consideration of international standards and, where 
appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards. The FAA has 
assessed the potential effect of this final rule and determined that 
the rule would protect safety and is not considered an unnecessary 
obstacle to foreign commerce.

D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-
4) requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement 
assessing the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final 
agency rule that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more 
(in 1995 dollars) in any one year by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate 
is deemed to be a ``significant regulatory action.'' The FAA currently 
uses an inflation-adjusted value of $155 million in lieu of $100 
million. This final rule does not contain such a mandate; therefore, 
the requirements of Title II of the Act do not apply.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires 
that the FAA consider the impact of paperwork and other information 
collection burdens imposed on the public. The FAA has determined that 
there is no new requirement for information collection associated with 
this final rule.

F. International Compatibility and Cooperation

    In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to conform to ICAO 
Standards and Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. 
The FAA has reviewed the corresponding ICAO Standards and Recommended 
Practices and has identified no corresponding standards with these 
regulations.

G. Environmental Analysis

    FAA Order 1050.1F identifies FAA actions that are categorically 
excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy 
Act in the absence of extraordinary circumstances. The FAA has 
determined this rulemaking action qualifies for the categorical 
exclusion identified in paragraph 5-6.6f and involves no extraordinary 
circumstances.

VI. Executive Order Determinations

A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    The FAA has analyzed this rule under the principles and criteria of 
Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The agency has determined that this 
action will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, or the 
relationship between the Federal Government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various

[[Page 62806]]

levels of government, and, therefore, will not have Federalism 
implications.

B. Executive Order 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    The FAA analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions 
Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use (May 18, 2001). The agency has determined that it 
will not be a ``significant energy action'' under the executive order 
and will not be likely to have a significant adverse effect on the 
supply, distribution, or use of energy.

C. Executive Order 13609, Promoting International Regulatory 
Cooperation

    Executive Order 13609, Promoting International Regulatory 
Cooperation, (77 FR 26413, May 4, 2012) promotes international 
regulatory cooperation to meet shared challenges involving health, 
safety, labor, security, environmental, and other issues and to reduce, 
eliminate, or prevent unnecessary differences in regulatory 
requirements. The FAA has analyzed this action under the policies and 
agency responsibilities of Executive Order 13609, and has determined 
that this action will have no effect on international regulatory 
cooperation.

VII. Additional Information

A. Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of rulemaking documents may be obtained from the 
Internet by--
     Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);
     Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies Web page at 
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies or
     Accessing the Government Publishing Office's Web page at 
http://www.fdsys.gov.
    Copies may also be obtained by sending a request to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9677. 
Commenters must identify the docket, amendment, or notice number of 
this rulemaking.
    All documents the FAA considered in developing this rule, including 
economic analyses and technical reports, may be accessed from the 
Internet through the Federal eRulemaking Portal referenced above.

B. Comments Submitted to the Docket

    Comments received may be viewed by going to http://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions to search the 
docket number for this action. Anyone is able to search the electronic 
form of all comments received into any of the FAA's dockets by the name 
of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).

C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 
(SBREFA) requires FAA to comply with small entity requests for 
information or advice about compliance with statutes and regulations 
within its jurisdiction. A small entity with questions regarding this 
document may contact its local FAA official, or the person listed under 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT heading at the beginning of the 
preamble. To find out more about SBREFA on the Internet, visit http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 93

    Air traffic control, Airports, Navigation (air).

The Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends chapter I of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations as follows:

PART 93--SPECIAL AIR TRAFFIC RULES

0
1. The authority citation for part 93 is added to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40106, 40109, 40113, 
44502, 44514, 44701, 44715, 44719, 46301.

0
2. Add subpart N to part 93 to read as follows:
Subpart N--Pearson Field (Vancouver, WA) Airport Traffic Rule
Sec.
93.161 Applicability.
93.162 Description of area.
93.163 Aircraft operations.

Subpart N--Pearson Field (Vancouver, WA) Airport Traffic Rule

Sec.  93.161  Applicability.

    This subpart prescribes special air traffic rules for aircraft 
conducting VFR operations in the vicinity of the Pearson Field Airport 
in Vancouver, Washington.

Sec.  93.162  Description of area.

    The Pearson Field Airport Special Flight Rules Area is designated 
as that airspace extending upward from the surface to but not including 
1,100 feet MSL in an area bounded by a line beginning at the point 
where the 019[deg] bearing from Pearson Field intersects the 5-mile arc 
from Portland International Airport extending southeast to a point 1\1/
2\ miles east of Pearson Field on the extended centerline of Runway 8/
26, thence south to the north shore of the Columbia River, thence west 
via the north shore of the Columbia River to the 5-mile arc from 
Portland International Airport, thence clockwise via the 5-mile arc to 
point of beginning.

Sec.  93.163   Aircraft operations.

    (a) Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, no person may operate an 
aircraft within the airspace described in Sec.  93.162, or taxi onto 
the runway at Pearson Field, unless-
    (1) That person establishes two-way radio communications with 
Pearson Advisory on the common traffic advisory frequency for the 
purpose of receiving air traffic advisories and continues to monitor 
the frequency at all times while operating within the specified 
airspace.
    (2) That person has obtained the Pearson Field weather prior to 
establishing two-way communications with Pearson Advisory.
    (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this 
section, if two-way radio communications failure occurs in flight, a 
person may operate an aircraft within the airspace described in Sec.  
93.162, and land, if weather conditions are at or above basic VFR 
weather minimums. If two-way radio communications failure occurs while 
in flight under IFR, the pilot must comply with Sec.  91.185.
    (c) Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, persons operating an 
aircraft within the airspace described in Sec.  93.162 must--
    (1) When operating over the runway or extended runway centerline of 
Pearson Field Runway 8/26 maintain an altitude at or below 700 feet 
above mean sea level.
    (2) Remain outside Portland Class C Airspace.
    (3) Make a right traffic pattern when operating to/from Pearson 
Field Runway 26.

    Issued in Washington, DC, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. 
106(f), 40103, and 44701(a)(5) on August 26, 2016.
Michael P. Huerta,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-21377 Filed 9-9-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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