Document ID: FAA-2018-0125-0004
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, and Revocation of Class E Airspace: Juneau, AK
Posted Date: 2018-11-14T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 14, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56711-56713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24721]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0125; Airspace Docket No. 18-AAL-5]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, and Revocation of 
Class E Airspace; Juneau, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace, Class E surface area 
airspace, Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface, and removes Class E airspace designated as an extension at 
Juneau International

[[Page 56712]]

Airport, Juneau, AK. Airspace redesign is necessary as the FAA 
transitions from ground-based to satellite-based navigation for the 
safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at 
this airport. This action also updates the airport's geographic 
coordinates to match the FAA's aeronautical database for the associated 
Class D and E airspace areas, and replaces the outdated term Airport/
Facility Directory with Chart Supplement in the Class D airspace legal 
description.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, January 3, 2019. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves this incorporation by reference action under Title 1 
Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual revision of 
FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://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. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
    For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198-6547; 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 modifies Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and removes 
Class E airspace designated as an extension at Juneau International 
Airport, Juneau, AK, to support IFR operations at this airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (83 FR 19653; May 4, 2018) for Docket No. FAA-2018-0125 to 
modify Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface and remove 
Class E airspace designated as an extension at Juneau International 
Airport, Juneau, AK. Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal 
to the FAA. One commenter was concerned that VFR operations would be 
problematic because the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) would not 
be able to see to the lateral boundaries of the proposed Class D area 
and weather may be inconsistent between the outer areas of the proposed 
Class D and the area closer to the airport.
    The FAA's response is that these conditions exist in several 
locations across the CONUS and Air Traffic Control is skilled at 
operations within these environments. Pilots operating under Visual 
Flight Rules (VFR) at the lateral boundaries of the proposed Class D 
may continue to operate VFR provided weather minimums can be maintained 
and Special VFR requirements are applied, when appropriate.
    In addition, the commenter wrote that communication below 1,500 
feet above ground level (AGL) was limited in the proposed airspace to 
the west.
    The FAA performed a communication analysis at both 1,000 and 1,500 
feet AGL and determined that communication in the area is provided by 
both a Remote Communications Air/Ground facility (RCAG) and a Back Up 
Emergency Communication (BUEC) facility. The analysis determined that, 
while some terrain features may create communication difficulties in 
specific locations, the available systems should provide communication 
coverage either on the primary frequency with Juneau ATCT or the BUEC 
through Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center.
    Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in 
paragraph 5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 
7400.11C, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace 
designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 
2018. FAA Order 7400.11C is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11C lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 modifies Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class 
E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface and removes 
Class E designated as an extension at Juneau International Airport, 
Juneau, AK.
    Class D airspace is modified to within a 3-mile radius of Juneau 
International Airport and within 2.5 miles each side of the 271[deg] 
bearing from the airport extending from the 3-mile radius to 5.2 miles 
west of the airport, and within 1 mile southwest and 2.6 miles 
northeast of the airport 135[deg] bearing extending from the airport 3-
mile radius to 5 miles southeast of the airport, excluding that 
airspace below 2,000 feet MSL within the area bounded by a line 
beginning at lat. 58[deg]19'35'' N, long. 134[deg]24'31'' W, to lat. 
58[deg]19'02'' N, long. 134[deg]25'33'' W, to lat. 58[deg]20'16'' N, 
long. 134[deg]27'28'' W, to lat. 58[deg]20'34'' N, long. 
134[deg]26'22'' W, thence to the point of beginning. The areas to the 
west and southeast of the airport contains IFR departures and arrivals. 
A small area within the extended area to the southeast near Salmon 
Creek is excluded from Class D airspace below 2,000 feet MSL to ensure 
2-way radio communication with the Juneau Airport Traffic Control Tower 
is possible prior to entering Class D airspace from that area.
    Class E surface area airspace is modified to be coincident with the 
Class D airspace area described above.
    Class E airspace designated as an extension is removed since the 
Class D airspace contains arrival aircraft within 1,000 feet of the 
surface, and a Class E arrival extension is not required.
    Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
is modified to a polygon approximately 12-18 miles wide by 42-miles 
long (from approximately 48 miles wide by 70 miles long) oriented 
northwest to

[[Page 56713]]

southeast (from west to east). The area is defined as that airspace 
upward from 700 feet above the surface within the area bounded by a 
line beginning at lat. 58[deg]27'33'' N, long. 134[deg]37'40'' W, to 
lat. 58[deg]13'13'' N, long. 134[deg]11'51'' W, to lat. 58[deg]05'59'' 
N, long. 134[deg]21'04'' W, to lat. 58[deg]10'51'' N, long. 
134[deg]59'18'' W, to lat. 58[deg]23'41'' N, long. 135[deg]31'13'' W, 
to lat. 58[deg]32'22'' N, long. 135[deg]18'32'' W, to lat. 
58[deg]27'17'' N, long. 135[deg]01'27'' W, thence to the point of 
beginning. This modification reduces the airspace area to only that 
area necessary to contain IFR operations as they transition between the 
airport and en route environments. Also, Class E airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface designated for Juneau 
International Airport is removed since this airspace is wholly 
contained within the Southeast Alaska Class E en route airspace, and 
duplication is not necessary.
    This action also makes an editorial change to the Class D airspace 
legal description replacing Airport/Facility Directory with Chart 
Supplement.

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 only affects 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.

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 preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

Lists 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 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 7400.11C, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and 
effective September 15, 2018, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AAL AK D Juneau, AK [Amended]

Juneau International Airport, AK
    (Lat. 58[deg]21'17'' N, long. 134[deg]34'42'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 3-mile radius of Juneau International 
Airport, and within 2.5 miles each side of the 271[deg] bearing from 
the airport extending from the 3-mile radius to 5.2 miles west of 
the airport, and within 1 mile southwest and 2.6 miles northeast of 
the airport 135[deg] bearing extending from the airport 3-mile 
radius to 5 miles southeast of the airport, excluding that airspace 
below 2,000 feet MSL within the area bounded by a line beginning at 
lat. 58[deg]19'35'' N, long. 134[deg]24'31'' W, to lat. 
58[deg]19'02'' N, long. 134[deg]25'33'' W, to lat. 58[deg]20'16'' N, 
long. 134[deg]27'28'' W, to lat. 58[deg]20'34'' N, long. 
134[deg]26'22'' W, thence to the point of beginning. This Class D 
airspace area 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 Chart 
Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Juneau, AK [Amended]

Juneau International Airport, AK
    (Lat. 58[deg]21'17'' N, long. 134[deg]34'42'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 3-mile 
radius of Juneau International Airport, and within 2.5 miles each 
side of the 271[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 3-
mile radius to 5.2 miles west of the airport, and within 1 mile 
southwest and 2.6 miles northeast of the airport 135[deg] bearing 
extending from the airport 3-mile radius to 5 miles southeast of the 
airport, excluding that airspace below 2,000 feet MSL within the 
area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 58[deg]19'35'' N, long. 
134[deg]24'31'' W, to lat. 58[deg]19'02'' N, long. 134[deg]25'33'' 
W, to lat. 58[deg]20'16'' N, long. 134[deg]27'28'' W, to lat. 
58[deg]20'34'' N, long. 134[deg]26'22'' W, thence to the point of 
beginning. This Class E airspace area 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 Chart Supplement.

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E4 Juneau, AK [Removed]

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Juneau, AK [Amended]

Juneau International Airport, AK
    (Lat. 58[deg]21'17'' N, long. 134[deg]34'42'' W)

    That airspace upward from 700 feet above the surface within the 
area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 58[deg]27'33'' N, long. 
134[deg]37'40'' W, to lat. 58[deg]13'13'' N, long. 134[deg]11'51'' 
W, to lat. 58[deg]05'59'' N, long. 134[deg]21'04'' W, to lat. 
58[deg]10'51'' N, long. 134[deg]59'18'' W, to lat. 58[deg]23'41'' N, 
long. 135[deg]31'13'' W, to lat. 58[deg]32'22'' N, long. 
135[deg]18'32'' W, to lat. 58[deg]27'17'' N, long. 135[deg]01'27'' 
W, thence to the point of beginning.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on November 1, 2018.
Shawn M. Kozica,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2018-24721 Filed 11-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P