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[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 122 (Monday, June 24, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32372-32374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15985]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-AAL-2]

Proposed Revision of Class E Airspace; Wrangell, St. Paul Island, 
Petersburg, and Sitka, AK; Establishment of Class E Airspace at Noatak, 
AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to revise Class E airspace at Wrangell, 
St. Paul Island, Petersburg, and Sitka, AK, and establish Class E 
airspace at Noatak, AK. The FAA has developed Global Positioning System 
(GPS) instrument approach procedures at Wrangell Airport, James A. 
Johnson Airport (Petersburg), and Sitka Airport; a Microwave Landing 
System (MLS) approach procedure at St. Paul Island Airport; and Non-
directional beacon (NDB)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) approach 
procedure at Noatak Airport, Alaska. Changes to the Wrangell airspace 
incorporated a new Wrangell Localizer course, provided new segment 
widths, and will declutter the chart depiction. Changes to the 
Petersburg airspace incorporated protected airspace for transition to 
approach, provided new segment widths to Fredericks Point NDB 140 deg. 
bearing, corrected the misspelling of Level Island, and changed the 
altitude needed for the missed approaches. Changes to the Sitka 
airspace incorporated protected airspace for the holding pattern. 
Changes to the St. Paul Island airspace incorporated new coordinates 
for the airport and non-directional beacon. Noatak Class E airspace 
will be established for NDB/DME instrument approach procedures. This 
action will change the Noatak Airport status from Visual Flight Rules 
(VFR) to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

[[Page 32373]]

The areas would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. 
The intended effect of this proposal is to provide adequate Class E 
airspace to contain IFR operations in controlled airspace.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, 
System Management Branch, AAL-530, Docket No. 96-AAL-2, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 
99513-7587.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel for the Alaskan Region at the same address.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the Office of the Manager, System Management Branch, Air 
Traffic Division, at the address shown above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 Robert van Haastert, System Management Branch, AAL-538, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 
99513-7587; telephone number (907) 271-5902.

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.96-
AAL-2.'' 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 notice may be changed 
in light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available 
for examination in the System Management Branch, Air Traffic Division, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, 
Anchorage, AK, 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 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the System Management Branch, AAL-
530, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, 
Anchorage, AK 99513-7587. 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 
Wrangell, St. Paul Island, Petersburg, and Sitka, AK, and establishing 
Class E airspace at Noatak, AK. The FAA has developed IFR approach and 
departure procedures using Global Positioning System (GPS) at Wrangell 
Airport, James A. Johnson Airport (Petersburg), and Sitka Airport; a 
Microwave Landing System (MLS) approach procedures at St. Paul Island 
Airport; and NDB/DME approach procedures at Noatak, Alaska. The 
Wrangell airspace will incorporate a new Wrangell Localizer course, 
provide new segment widths, and the area chart will have a cleaner, 
less cluttered depiction. The Petersburg airspace will incorporate 
protected airspace for the transition to approach, provide new segment 
widths along the Fredericks Point NDB 140 deg. bearing, corrected the 
spelling of Level Island, and lowered the altitude needed for missed 
approaches from 5,500 to 3,300 feet. The Sitka airspace will 
incorporate protected airspace for the holding pattern to runway 11. 
The St. Paul Island airspace will incorporate the revised coordinates 
for the NDB and airport. New Class E airspace will be established for 
Noatak, AK, to accommodate a new NDB/DME instrument approach procedure. 
The Noatak Airport status will change from VFR to IFR. The areas would 
be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The coordinates 
for this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83. Class E 
airspace areas designated as 700/1200 foot transition areas are 
published in Paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9C, dated August 17, 
1995, and effective September 16, 1995, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR 71.1 (58 FR 36298; July 6, 1993). The Class E 
airspace designation listed in this document would be published 
subsequently in the Order. The FAA has determined that these proposed 
regulations only involve 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 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, 
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

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

PART 71--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR Part 71 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 
9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 14 CFR 
11.69.

Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9C, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16, 
1995, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002  The Class E airspace areas listed below are 
designated as a surface area for an airport.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Petersburg, AK [New]

Petersburg Airport, AK
    (Lat. 56 deg.48'06'' N, long. 132 deg.56'43'' W)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of the James A. Johnson Airport, 
Petersburg, Alaska. The Class E airspace is effective during the 
specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to 
Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously

[[Page 32374]]

published in the Supplement Alaska (Airport/Facility Directory).
* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Wrangell, AK [New]

Wrangell Airport, AK
    (Lat. 56 deg.29'04'' N, long. 132 deg.22'11'' W)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of the Wrangell Airport, Alaska. The 
Class E airspace is effective during the specific dates and times 
established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and 
time will thereafter be continuously published in the Supplement 
Alaska (Airport/Facility Directory).
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Wrangell, AK [Revised]

Wrangell Airport, AK
    (Lat. 56 deg.29'04'' N, long. 132 deg.22'11'' W)
Wrangell Localizer
    (Lat 56 deg.29'03'' N, long. 132 deg.21'45'' W)
Level Island VOR/DME
    (Lat. 56 deg.28'04'' N, long. 133 deg.04'59'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the Wrangell Airport and within 2.5 
miles south and 3.5 miles north of the Wrangell Localizer front 
course extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 17.5; miles northwest 
of the airport; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet 
above the surface within 6 miles either side of the Wrangell 
Localizer front course extending from 14.5 miles west of the airport 
to 25 miles west of the airport and within 4 miles each side of the 
Level Island VOR/DME 086 deg. radial extending from the VOR/DME to 
the Localizer; and within 5 miles west and 6 miles east of the 
148 deg. bearing from the Wrangell NDB extending to 25 miles 
southeast of the airport; and that airspace extending upward from 
5,700 feet MSL within 32 miles of the Level Island VOR/DME extending 
clockwise from the VOR/DME 327 deg. radial to the VOR/DME 035 deg. 
radial.
* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Petersburg, AK [Revised]

Petersburg Airport, AK
    (Lat. 56 deg.48'06'' N, long. 132 deg.56'43'' W)
Level Island VOR/DME
    (Lat. 56 deg.28'04'' N, long. 133 deg.04'59'' W)
Petersburg Localizer
    (Lat. 56 deg.48'02'' N, long. 132 deg.55'34'' W)
Fredericks Point NDB
    (Lat. 56 deg.47'32'' N, long. 132 deg.49'15'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5 mile radius of the Petersburg Airport; and that 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within 4 
miles east and 7 miles west of the Petersburg Localizer front course 
extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 51 miles north of the Level 
Island VOR/DME and within 4 miles northeast and 5 miles southwest of 
the Fredericks Point NDB 140 deg. bearing extending from the 6.5-
mile radius to 10 miles southeast of the NDB; and that airspace 
extending upward from 3,300 feet MSL within 5 miles either side of 
the Level Island VOR/DME 013 deg. radial from the 6.5-mile radius to 
the VOR/DME; and that airspace extending upward from 4,200 feet MSL 
within 28.6 miles of the Level Island VOR/DME extending clockwise 
from the VOR/DME 011 deg. radial to the 148 deg. radial; and that 
airspace extending upward from 5,700 feet MSL within 51 miles of the 
VOR/DME extending clockwise from the Level Island VOR/DME 326 deg. 
radial to the 011 deg. radial; excluding that airspace within the 
Sitka, AK, Class E airspace area.
* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Sitka, AK [Revised]

Sitka Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57 deg.02'50'' N, long. 135 deg.21'41'' W)
Biorka Island VORTAC
    (Lat. 56 deg.51'34'' N, long. 135 deg.33'04'' W)
Sitka Localizer
    (Lat. 57 deg.02'53'' N, long. 135 deg.21'54'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.6-mile radius of the Sitka Airport and within 4 miles 
each side of the 029 deg. and 209 deg. radials of the Biorka Island 
VORTAC extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 1 mile south of the 
VORTAC and within a 14-mile radius of the Biorka Island VORTAC 
extending clockwise from the 127 deg. radial to the 323 deg. radial 
and within 4 miles west and 8 miles east of the Biorka Island VORTAC 
209 deg. radial extending from the 14-mile radius to 16 miles 
southwest of the VORTAC and within 4 miles east and 6 miles west of 
the Sitka Localizer front course extending from the Sitka Localizer 
to 22 miles northwest of the airport; and that airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 40-mile radius of 
the Biorka Island VORTAC; and that airspace extending upward from 
5,500 feet MSL within an 85-mile radius of the VORTAC; excluding 
that airspace within Control 1487L; more than 12 miles from the 
shoreline; and within the Juneau, AK, and the Ketchikan, AK, Class E 
airspace areas.
* * * * *

AAL AK E5 St. Paul Island, AK [Revised]

St. Paul Island Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57 deg.10'10'02.30'' N, long. 170 deg.13'13.60'' W)
St. Paul Localizer
    (Lat. 57 deg.10'44.56'' N, long. 170 deg.13'00.39'' W)
St. Paul NDB/DME
    (Lat. 57 deg.09'28'' N, long. 170 deg.13'51'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the St. Paul Island Airport and within 4 
miles west and 8 miles east of the St. Paul Localizer front course 
extending from 4 miles south of the St. Paul NDB/DME to 20 miles 
south of the NDB/DME and within 4 miles east and 8 miles west of the 
St. Paul Localizer back course extending from 5 miles north on the 
NDB/DME to 21 miles north of the NDB/DME and within 4 miles east and 
8 miles west of the 018 deg. bearing from the NDB/DME extending from 
6 miles north of the NDB/DME to 22 miles north of the NDB/DME; and 
that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within 14 miles of the NDB/DME.
* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Noatak, AK [New]

Noatak Airport, AK
    (Lat. 67 deg.33'58'' N, long. 162 deg.58'40'' W)
Noatak NDB/DME
    (Lat. 67 deg.34'19'' N, long. 162 deg.58'26'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet MSL above the 
surface within a 6.5-mile radius of the Noatak Airport and within 4 
miles either side of the 197 deg. bearing from the Noatak NDB/DME 
from the 6.5-mile radius to 10 miles southwest of the NDB/DME; and 
that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within 4 miles either side of the 197 deg. bearing from the Noatak 
NDB/DME extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 14 miles southwest and 
within 4 miles east and 5 miles west of the 017 deg. bearing from 
the NDB/DME extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 11 miles northeast 
of the NDB/DME.
* * * * *
    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on June 12, 1996.
Willis C. Nelson,
Manager, Air Traffic Division Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 96-15985 Filed 6-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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