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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50322-50323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20018]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1175; Airspace Docket No. 12-AAL-11]

Amendment of Class E Airspace; Point Thomson, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the airspace at Point Thomson, AK, by 
establishing Class E Airspace at Point Thomson Airstrip Airport, Point 
Thomson, AK. New Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) 
standard instrument approach procedures have been established at the 
airport. This action enhances the safety and management of aircraft 
operations at the airport.

DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, October 17, 2013. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR Part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

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 May 23, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice 
of proposed rulemaking to modify controlled airspace at Point Thomson, 
AK (78 FR 30797). Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal 
to the FAA. No comments were received.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005, of 
FAA Order 7400.9W dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 
2012, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR Part 71.1. The Class 
E airspace designation listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in that Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by modifying Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface within an 8.9-mile radius of Point Thomson Airstrip 
Airport, Point Thomson, AK, to accommodate aircraft using new RNAV 
(GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at the airport. This 
action is necessary for the safety and management of IFR operations.
    The FAA has determined this regulation only involves an established 
body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments 
are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this 
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 
only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified 
this rule, when promulgated, does 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 discusses 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 Subtitle VII, Part A, 
Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the FAA is charged with 
prescribing regulations to assign the use of 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 modifies 
controlled airspace at Point Thomson Airstrip Airport, Point Thomson, 
AK.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action is not expected to 
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

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:

[[Page 50323]]

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR 
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

0
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]

0
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 6005 Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Point Thomson, AK [Modified]

Point Thomson 3 Heliport, AK
    (Lat. 70[deg]10[min]17[sec] N., long. 146[deg]15[min]31[sec] W)
Point Thomson Airstrip Airport, AK
    (Lat. 70[deg]08[min]10[sec] N., long. 146[deg]17[min]24[sec] W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.6-mile radius of Point Thomson 3 Heliport, and that 
airspace within an 8.9-mile radius of Point Thomson, Airstrip 
Airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on August 6, 2013.
Christopher Ramirez,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-20018 Filed 8-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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