34608 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 111 / Monday, June 10, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0433; Airspace 

Docket No. 12–AAL–5] 

Proposed Establishment of Class D 

Airspace; Bryant AAF, Anchorage, AK 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking (SNPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing a SNPRM 

for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

(NPRM) published on August 22, 2012 

to establish Class D airspace at Bryant 

Army Airfield (AAF), Anchorage, AK. 

After review of comments received, the 

FAA determined that the portion of 

controlled airspace east of Glenn 

Highway needs further review and, 

therefore, would be eliminated from this 

proposal for the safety and management 

of aircraft operations at the airport. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before July 25, 2013. 

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–2012–0433; Airspace 

Docket No. 12–AAL–5, at the beginning 

of your comments. You may also submit 

comments through the Internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation 

Administration, Operations Support 

Group, Western Service Center, 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; 

telephone (425) 203–4517. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History 

On August 22, 2012, the FAA 

published a NPRM to establish Class D 

airspace at Bryant AAF, Anchorage, AK, 

to provide controlled airspace due to an 

increase in the complexity, volume and 

variety of aircraft in the immediate 

vicinity of Bryant AAF (77 FR 50646). 

Thirteen comments were received, 

including comments from the Aircraft 

Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), 

Alaska Airmen’s Association (AAA), 

and the Alaskan Aviation Safety 

Foundation (AASF). One commenter 

believes it is a good idea to reestablish 

the Class D airspace, which previously 

existed at Bryant AAF. 

AOPA identified three issues that 

affect pilots using the Eastside VFR 

corridor they would like to see 

addressed. These include the impact on 

pilots’ situational awareness due to 

additional communication frequencies 

to monitor, the possible compression of 

traffic using the Eastside VFR flyway 

(Glenn Highway), and the availability of 

weather information at Fort Richardson. 

The FAA agrees that additional 

information is needed to adequately 

address these concerns and will exclude 

that portion of the original design east 

of the highway from the surface to 1,600 

feet MSL. The FAA does not agree with 

their concern for weather observation. 

The establishment of Class D airspace 

requires weather observation at the 

primary airport (Bryant AAF). As part of 

the activation of this airspace the United 

States Air Force (USAF) will assume 

responsibility for weather support and 

dissemination through normal means. 

AASF, along with several 

commenters, requested additional time 

to review the proposal. They were 

concerned with the impact of the 

proposal on pilots operating east of 

Glenn Highway, citing an increase in 

military aircraft operating east of the 

highway, a possible change in 

communication requirements, a 

potential negative impact in the pilots’ 

situational awareness, the compression 

of traffic along the VFR corridor, a 

decrease in safety when weather is 

below 1600 feet AGL; and that 

reestablishment of the Class D at Bryant 

AAF will reduce the maneuvering room 

for aircraft entering the Merrill Field 

airspace area. The FAA finds merit in 

these comments and will exclude that 

portion of the original design east of the 

highway from the surface to 1,600 feet 

MSL. AASF also noted that there was an 

error in the latitude and longitude for 

two waypoints, which has been 

corrected in this SNPRM; and AWOS 

weather observation needs to be 

broadcast through all normal weather 

dissemination channels. The USAF will 

assume responsibility for weather 

support and dissemination through 

normal methods at the primary airport 

(Bryant AAF) as required for Class D 

airspace. 

The AAA requested additional time to 

review the proposal and that the entire 

composition of airspace be considered 

before making a determination. The 

FAA has completed an aeronautical 

study of the air traffic operations in this 

area and concludes that the majority of 

air traffic transits east of Glenn 

Highway. As previously stated, the FAA 

has excluded that portion east of Glenn 

Highway. 

Remove Return 

After review of public comments, 

analysis of the traffic flow and the 

operational requirements for this area, 

the FAA believes the effects of operating 

with Class D airspace east of Glenn 

Highway would require further study. 

This SNPRM has excluded that portion 

of the original design east of the 

highway from the surface to 1,600 feet 

MSL. The FAA seeks comments on this 

SNPRM. 

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 

2012–0433 and Airspace Docket No. 12– 

AAL–5) 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–2012–0433 and 

airspace Docket No. 12–AAL–5’’. 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 NPRMs 

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:// 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 111 / Monday, June 10, 2013 / Proposed Rules 34609 

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 9:00 a.m. and 

5:00 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 Supplemental Proposal 

The FAA is proposing an amendment 

to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 

(14 CFR) part 71 by establishing Class D 

airspace extending upward from the 

surface to and including 2,900 feet MSL 

at Bryant AAF, Anchorage AK. 

Controlled airspace is necessary to 

accommodate the increased volume and 

variety of aircraft arriving and departing 

the immediate vicinity of Bryant AAF. 

This action would enhance the safety 

and management of terminal VFR 

operations at the airport. 

Class D airspace designations are 

published in paragraph 5000 of FAA 

Order 7400.9W, dated August 8, 2012, 

and effective September 15, 2012, which 

is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 

71.1. The Class D airspace designation 

listed in this document will be 

published subsequently in this Order. 

The FAA has determined that 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 

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, 

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 regulation is within the 

scope of that authority as it would 

establish controlled airspace at Bryant 

AAF, Anchorage AK. 

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. 

§ 71.1 [Amended] 

■ 2. The incorporation by reference in 

14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal Aviation 

Administration Order 7400.9W, 

Airspace Designations and Reporting 

Points, dated August 8, 2012, and 

effective September 15, 2012, is 

amended as follows: 

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace. 

* * * * * 

AAL AK D Bryant Army Airfield, 

Anchorage AK [NEW] 

Bryant AAF, AK 

(Lat. 61°15′57′′ N., long. 149°39′12′′ W.) 

That airspace extending upward from the 

surface to and including 2,900 feet MSL 

within an area bounded by a line beginning 

at lat. 61°17′3′′ N., long. 149°37′35′′ W.; to lat. 

61°17′13′′ N., long. 149°43′08′′ W.; to lat. 

61°13′49′′ N., long. 149°43′08′′ W.; to lat. 

61°13′54′′ N., long. 149°42′44′′ W.; to lat. 

61°14′24′′ N., long. 149°41′23′′ W.; to lat. 

61°15′54′′ N., long. 149°38′20′′ W.; thence to 

the point of beginning. 

Issued in Seattle, Washington, on May 24, 

2013. 

Clark Desing, 

Manager, Operations Support Group, Western 

Service Center. 

[FR Doc. 2013–13596 Filed 6–7–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–1174; Airspace 

Docket No. 12–AAL–12] 

Proposed Modification of Class D and 

E Airspace; Kenai, AK 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

modify Class D and E airspace at Kenai, 

AK, to accommodate aircraft departing 

and arriving under Instrument Flight 

Rules (IFR) at Kenai Municipal Airport. 

A minor adjustment also would be made 

to the geographic coordinates of the 

airport. This action, initiated by the 

biennial review of the Kenai airspace 

area, would enhance the safety and 

management of aircraft operations at the 

airport. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before July 25, 2013. 

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–2012– 

1174; Airspace Docket No. 12–AAL–12, 

at the beginning of your comments. You 

may also submit comments through the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation 

Administration, Operations Support 

Group, Western Service Center, 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; 

telephone (425) 203–4517. 

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. 

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