[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32981-32982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11591]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0030; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-54]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Class E Airspace, and Revocation of Class E 
Airspace; Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class E airspace, designated as a 
surface area, to properly contain instrument flight rules aircraft 
descending below 1,000 feet above the surface of the Earth. 
Additionally, this action removes Class E airspace, designated as an 
extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, because it is no longer 
needed. Lastly, this action modifies Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface of the earth at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez 
Airport, AK. This action ensures the safety and management of 
instrument flight rules operations at the airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, July 14, 2022. 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 7400.11 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerald DeVore, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-2245.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. 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 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 would modify Class E airspace to support instrument flight rules 
operations at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the 
Federal Register for FAA-2022-0030 to modify the Class E surface 
airspace (87 FR 6804; February 7, 2022), revoke an area that is 
designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, and 
modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK. Interested parties were 
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written 
comments on the proposal to the FAA. One comment was received in favor 
of the proposal.
    Class E2, Class E4, and Class E5 airspace designations are 
published in paragraphs 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA 
Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 
2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E 
airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F lists Class 
A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 by modifying the Class E 
airspace at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK. The Class E airspace 
designated as surface area is modified, the Class E airspace area 
designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area 
airspace is revoked, and the Class E airspace area extending upward 
from 700 feet or more above the surface is modified to contain 
instrument flight rules operations at airport.
    The Class E airspace, designated as surface area, northwest of the 
airport is modified to contain instrument flight rules aircraft 
descending below 1,000 feet above the surface of the Earth, to contain 
departures until reaching the Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet or more above the surface. Additionally the Class E airspace, 
designated as surface area, was reduced northeast of the airspace since 
it was no longer needed.
    This action also removes the Class E airspace, designated as an 
extension to a Class D or Class E surface area. This airspace is no 
longer required due to the removal of the LDA/DME RWY 11 approach 
procedure turn.
    Lastly, this action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet or more above the surface. The areas northwest and 
southwest of the airport are extended to contain arriving aircraft 
descending below 1,500 feet above the surface. The Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface to the 
southwest of the airport is extended to contain departing instrument 
flight rules aircraft until reaching 1,200 feet above the surface of 
the Earth. The Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more 
above the surface area northeast of the airport is removed because it 
is no longer needed.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
is published yearly and effective on September 15.

[[Page 32982]]

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current, is 
non-controversial, and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
comments. 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 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 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.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 5-6.5a. This airspace action is not expected to 
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant the 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:

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(f), 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 FAA Order JO 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Sitka, AK [Amended]

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57[deg]02'49'' N, long. 135[deg]21'40'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.1-
mile radius of the airport beginning at the 105[deg] bearing from 
the airport clockwise to the 337[deg] bearing from the airport, then 
to the point of beginning 4.1 miles east of the airport, and within 
2.7 miles each side of the 150[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 6.6 miles southeast of the 
airport, and within 1.5 miles each side of the 209[deg] bearing from 
the airport extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 4.4 miles 
southwest of the airport, and within 1.2 miles each side of the 
314[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.1-mile radius 
to 6 miles northwest of the airport, and within 1.1 miles each side 
of the 320[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.1-mile 
radius to 5.2 miles northwest of the airport.

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

AAL AK E4 Sitka, AK [Removed]

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57[deg]02'49'' N, long. 135[deg]21'40'' W)

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or more above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Sitka, AK [Amended]

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57[deg]02'49'' N, long. 135[deg]21'40'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.3-mile radius of the airport beginning at the 102[deg] 
bearing from the airport clockwise to the 357[deg] bearing from the 
airport, then to the point of beginning 7.3 miles east of the 
airport, and within 4.6 miles each side of the 212[deg] bearing from 
the airport, extending from the 7.3-mile radius to 25.2 miles 
southwest of the airport, and within 4.5 miles each side of the 
316[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 7.3-mile radius 
to 9.8 miles northwest of the airport; excluding that airspace that 
extends beyond 12 miles from the coast.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on April 25, 2022.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2022-11591 Filed 5-31-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P