Document ID: FAA-2020-0352-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Amendment of Class E Airspace: Sitka, AK
Posted Date: 2020-07-31T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 148 (Friday, July 31, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45997-45998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16314]

[[Page 45997]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0352; Airspace Docket No. 18-AAL-4]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of Class E Airspace; Sitka, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E airspace, designated as a surface 
area, at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, AK. This action also 
establishes a Class E airspace area, designated as an extension to a 
Class D or Class E surface area. Additionally, this action modifies 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. 
Further, this action revokes Class E airspace extending upward from 
1,200 feet above the surface. Lastly, this action implements several 
administrative amendments to the airspace legal descriptions.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, November 5, 2020. 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 7400.11D, 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. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11D at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov 
or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Van Der Wal, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S. 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3695.

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 amends Class E airspace at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, 
AK, to ensure the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules 
(IFR) operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (85 FR 27172; May 7, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2020-0352 to 
amend Class E airspace at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, AK. 
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 E2, E4, and E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 6002, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11D, 
dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, 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 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 
2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D 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 E airspace, designated as a surface area, at 
Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, AK. This area is described as 
follows: That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.1-
mile radius of Sitka Rocky Gutierrez 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 Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport.
    This action also establishes Class E airspace area, designated as 
an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, at the airport. This 
area is described as follows: That airspace extending upward from the 
surface within 4 miles north and 8 miles south of the 315[deg] bearing 
from the airport, extending from 0.9 miles northwest of the airport to 
28.3 miles northwest of the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport.
    Additionally, this action modifies Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface. This area is described as 
follows: That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.6-mile radius of the airport, and within 5 miles each side 
of the 216[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 6.6-mile 
radius to 26 miles southwest of the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport; 
excluding that airspace extending beyond 12 miles from the coast.
    Further, this action revokes Class E airspace extending upward from 
1,200 feet above the surface. This airspace is wholly contained within 
the Alaska southeast en route area and duplication is not necessary.
    Lastly, this action implements several administrative amendments to 
the airspace legal descriptions. The airport's geographic coordinates 
are updated to lat. 57[deg]02'49'' N, long. 135[deg]21'40'' W. The 
following two sentences are removed from the Class E surface area legal 
description ``This Class E airspace area 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.''
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

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

[[Page 45998]]

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 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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and 
effective September 15, 2019, 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 Sitka Rocky Gutierrez 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 Sitka Rocky 
Gutierrez 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 [New]

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 4 miles 
north and 8 miles south of the 315[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from 0.9 miles northwest of the airport to 28.3 miles 
northwest of the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport.

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 6.6-mile radius of the airport, and within 5 miles each 
side of the 216[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 
6.6-mile radius to 26 miles southwest of the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez 
Airport; excluding that airspace extending beyond 12 miles from the 
coast.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on July 22, 2020.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-16314 Filed 7-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P