Document ID: FAA-2019-0549-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Amendment of Class D and E Airspace: Alpena, MI
Posted Date: 2019-12-12T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67860-67862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26610]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0549; Airspace Docket No. 19-AGL-22]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of Class D and E Airspace; Alpena, MI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action amends the Class D airspace, the Class E surface 
airspace, the Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D 
and Class E surface airspace, and the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface at Alpena County Regional Airport, 
Alpena, MI. This action is due to an airspace review caused by the 
decommissioning of the Au Sable VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) 
navigation aid, which provided navigation information for the 
instrument procedures at this airport, as part of the VOR Minimum 
Operational Network (MON) Program. The name of MidMichigan Medical 
Center-Alpena, Alpena MI, is also being updated to coincide with the 
FAA's aeronautical database. Airspace redesign is necessary for the 
safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at 
this airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, March 26, 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: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.

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 the Class D airspace, the Class E surface airspace, the 
Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D and Class E 
surface airspace, and the Class E

[[Page 67861]]

airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Alpena 
County Regional Airport, Alpena, MI, to support IFR operations at this 
airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (84 FR 35047; July 22, 2019) for Docket No. FAA-2019-0549 to 
amend the Class D airspace, the Class E surface airspace, the Class E 
airspace designated as an extension to Class D and Class E surface 
airspace, and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface at Alpena County Regional Airport, Alpena, MI. 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 D and E airspace designations are published in paragraph 
5000, 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 D and E airspace designations 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

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:
    Amends the Class D airspace to within a 4.3-mile radius (decreased 
from a 4.4-mile radius) of Alpena County Regional Airport, Alpena, MI; 
and updates the outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with 
``Chart Supplement'';
    Amends the Class E surface airspace to within a 4.3-mile radius 
(decreased from a 4.4-mile radius) of Alpena County Regional Airport; 
adds a 3,200 MSL altitude limit to the airspace legal description; 
removes the Alpena VORTAC and associated extensions from the airspace 
legal description; and updates the outdated term ``Airport/Facility 
Directory'' with ``Chart Supplement'';
    Amends the Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D 
and Class E surface areas at Alpena County Regional Airport by amending 
the extension to the north to within 4.8 mile west and 3 miles east of 
the Alpena VORTAC 355[deg] radial extending from the 4.3 mile radius of 
the Alpena County Regional Airport to 7 miles north of the Alpena 
VORTAC; and removes the extension to the south from the airspace legal 
description as it is no longer needed;
    And amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface to within a 6.8-mile radius (decreased from a 7-mile 
radius) of the Alpena County Regional Airport; removes the FELPS NDB 
and the associated extension from the airspace legal description; adds 
an extension 10 miles west and 6 miles east of the Alpena VORTAC 
355[deg] radial extending from the 6.8-mile radius of the Alpena County 
Regional Airport to 10 miles north of the Alpena VORTAC; adds an 
extension 3.9 miles each side of the Alpena VORTAC 194[deg] radial 
extending from the 6.8-mile radius of the Alpena County Regional 
Airport to 14.3 miles south of the Alpena VORTAC; and updates the name 
of MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena, Alpena, MI (previously Alpena 
General Hospital), to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.
    This action is necessary due to an airspace review caused by the 
decommissioning of the Au Sable VOR, which provided navigation 
information for the instrument procedures at these airports, as part of 
the VOR MON Program.

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, does 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 5-6.5.a. 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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

AGL MI D Alpena, MI [Amended]

Alpena County Regional Airport, MI
    (Lat. 45[deg]04'41'' N, long. 83[deg]33'37'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,200 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Alpena County Regional 
Airport. 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 a Surface Area.

* * * * *

AGL MI E2 Alpena, MI [Amended]

Alpena County Regional Airport, MI
    (Lat. 45[deg]04'41'' N, long. 83[deg]33'37'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,200 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of Alpena County Regional 
Airport. This Class E airspace area

[[Page 67862]]

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

* * * * *

AGL MI E4 Alpena, MI [Amended]

Alpena County Regional Airport, MI
    (Lat. 45[deg]04'41'' N, long. 83[deg]33'37'' W)
Alpena VORTAC
    (Lat. 45[deg]04'58'' N, long. 83[deg]33'25'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 4.8 miles 
west and 3 miles east of the Alpena VORTAC 355[deg] radial extending 
from the 4.3-mile radius of the Alpena County Regional Airport to 7 
miles north of the Alpena VORTAC.

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

* * * * *

AGL MI E5 Alpena, MI [Amended]

Alpena County Regional Airport, MI
    (Lat. 45[deg]04'41'' N, long. 83[deg]33'37'' W)
Alpena VORTAC
    (Lat. 45[deg]04'58'' N, long. 83[deg]33'25'' W)
MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena, MI, Point in Space Coordinates
    (Lat. 45[deg]04'38'' N, long. 83[deg]26'53'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.8-mile radius of Alpena County Regional Airport, and 
within 10 miles west and 6 miles east of the Alpena VORTAC 355[deg] 
radial extending from the 6.8-mile radius of Alpena County Regional 
Airport to 10 miles north of the Alpena VORTAC, and within 3.9 miles 
each side of the Alpena VORTAC 194[deg] radial extending from the 
6.8-mile radius of the Alpena County Regional Airport to 14.3 miles 
from the Alpena VORTAC, and within a 6-mile radius of the Point in 
Space serving MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 4, 2019.
Steve Szukala,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2019-26610 Filed 12-11-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P