[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 182 (Friday, September 19, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49182-49183]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24854]



[[Page 49182]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-AGL-44]


Proposed Modification of Class E Airspace; Grand Rapids, MI, Kent 
County International Airport

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to modify Class E airspace at Grand 
Rapids, MI. An Instrument Landing System (ILS) Standard Instrument 
Approach Procedure (SIAP) to Runway 35 has been developed for Kent 
County International Airport. Controlled airspace extending upward from 
700 to 1200 feet above ground level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft 
executing the approach. This action would increase the radius of the 
existing Class E airspace. The intended effect of this proposal is to 
provide segregation of aircraft using instrument approach procedures in 
instrument conditions from other aircraft operating in visual weather 
conditions.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, AGL-7, 
Rules Docket No. 97-AGL-44, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois 60018.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, 
Des Plaines, Illinois. An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the Air Traffic Division, Operations Branch, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle M. Behm, Air Traffic 
Division, Airspace Branch, AGL-520, Federal Aviation Administration, 
2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, telephone (847) 
294-7568.

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 the airspace docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing 
the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must 
submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 97-
AGL-44.'' 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 action on the 
proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available 
for examination in the Rules Docket, FAA, Great Lakes Region, Office of 
the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois, 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

    Any person may obtain a copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, 
Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-230, 
800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling 
(202) 267-3484. Communications must identify the notice number of this 
NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRM's should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, which 
describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to modify Class E airspace at 
Grand Rapids, MI. This proposal would provide adequate Class E airspace 
for operators executing the ILS Runway 35 SIAP at Kent County 
International Airport by increasing the radius of the existing 
controlled airspace. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 to 
1200 feet AGL is needed to contain aircraft executing the approach. The 
intended effect of this action is to provide segregation of aircraft 
using instrument approach procedures in instrument conditions from 
other aircraft operating in visual weather conditions. The area would 
be depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts thereby enabling pilots 
to circumnavigate the area or otherwise comply with IFR procedures. 
Class E airspace designations for airspace areas extending upward from 
700 feet or more above the surface of the earth are published in 
paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9D dated September 4, 1996, and 
effective September 16, 1996, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document 
would be published subsequently in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routing 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 
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 proposed rule 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).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal 
Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) as follows:

PART 71--[AMENDED]

    1. the authority citation for 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 the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 
1996, is amended as follows:

[[Page 49183]]

Paragraph 6005  The Class E airspace areas extending upward from 
700 feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

AGL MI E5 Grand Rapids, MI [Revised]

Kent County International Airport, MI
    (Lat. 42 deg.52'57''N, long. 85 deg.31'16''W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.0-mile radius of Kent County International Airport.
* * * * *
    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on September 3, 1997.
Maureen Woods,
Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 97-24854 Filed 9-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M