[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 117 (Monday, June 18, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32781-32782]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15299]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 117 / Monday, June 18, 2001 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 32781]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 00-ANM-28]


Proposed Modification of Class D and 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 the Class D airspace area at 
Bellingham, WA, by amending the effective hours to coincide with the 
Bellingham Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) hours of operation. This 
action also would modify the Class E Airspace extension at Bellingham 
International Airport when the Bellingham ATCT is closed. The intended 
effect of this action is to clarify when two-way radio communication 
with Bellingham ATCT is required and to provide adequate controlled 
airspace when the Bellingham ATCT is closed.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, 
Airspace Branch, ANM-520, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 
00-ANM-28, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the office of the Manager, Air Traffic Division, Airspace 
Branch, at the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Durham, ANM-520.7, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Docket No. 00-ANM-28, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW, 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056: telephone number: (425) 227-2527.

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 action must 
submit, with those comments, a self-addressed stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 00-
ANM-28.'' 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 the light of comments received. All comments submitted will be 
available for examination at the address listed above 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 this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the Federal Aviation Administration, Airspace Branch, ANM-520, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Communications must 
identify the docket 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 Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR part 71) by modifying Class D and Class E 
Airspace at Bellingham, WA. Bellingham ATCT recently changed its 
operating hours to less than a 24 hour a day operation. This action 
proposes to modify the Class D airspace area at Bellingham, WA, by 
amending the effective hours to coincide with the Bellingham Air 
Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) hours of operation. This action also would 
modify the Class E airspace extension at Bellingham International 
Airport when the Bellingham ATCT is closed. The FAA establishes Class D 
and Class E airspace where necessary to protect aircraft transitioning 
between the terminal and en route environments, and to provide local 
VFR sequencing by ATCT personnel. The intended effect of this proposal 
is designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace 
and to promote safe flight operation is under Instrument Flight Rules 
(IFR) and VFR at Bellingham International Airport and between the 
terminal and en route transition stages.
    The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot 
reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class D airspace areas designated for an airport, 
are published in Paragraph 5000, and Class E airspace areas designated 
as surface areas, are published in Paragraph 6004, of FAA Order 7400.9H 
dated September 1, 2000, and effective September 16, 2000, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class E 
airspace designations 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 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
It, therefore, (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 11013; 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 rule, when promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the 
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

[[Page 32782]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND 
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; 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, 40210; 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 7400.9H, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2000, and effective September 16, 
2000, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000  General.

* * * * *

ANM WA D  Bellingham, WA [Revised]

Bellingham International Airport
    (Lat. 48 deg.47'37"N., long. 122 deg.32'19"W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 4-mile radius of Bellingham International 
Airport. This Class D airspace is effective during specific 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 consisting of airspace extending 
upward from the surface designated as an extension of Class D 
airspace.

* * * * *

ANM WA E4  Bellingham, WA [Revised]

Bellingham International Airport
    (Lat. 48 deg.47'37"N., long. 122 deg.32'19"W.)
Whatcom VORTAC
    (Lat. 48 deg.56'43"N., long. 122 deg.34'45"W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within the 1.8 
miles each side of the Whatcom VORTAC 169 deg. radial extending 
north from the 4-mile radius of the Bellingham International Airport 
to 2.7 miles south of the VORTAC. This Class E airspace is effective 
during specific 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.
* * * * *

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on May 25, 2001.
Dan A. Boyle,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 01-15299 Filed 6-15-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M