Document ID: FAA-2013-0921-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Modification of Class E Airspace: Sitka, AK
Posted Date: 2014-04-01T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18154-18155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06722]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0921; Airspace Docket No. 13-AAL-4]

Modification of Class E Airspace; Sitka, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class E airspace at Sitka Rocky 
Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, AK. Controlled airspace is necessary to 
accommodate the new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System 
(GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at the airport. This 
action enhances the safety and management of aircraft operations at the 
airport.

DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, May 29, 2014. 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 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4517.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On November 21, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish controlled airspace 
at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, AK (78 FR 69787). 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 E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 6002 and 
6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9X, dated August 7, 2013, and 
effective September 15, 2013, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document will 
be published subsequently in this Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
Part 71 by modifying Class E surface area airspace and Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Sitka Rocky 
Gutierrez, AK. After review of the airspace, the FAAs Western Terminal 
Products Office found modification of the airspace necessary for the 
safety and management of aircraft departing and arriving under IFR 
operations at the airport. The segment of Class E surface area airspace 
southwest of the 4.1-mile radius of the airport is modified to 10 miles 
southwest of the airport. The segment of Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface southwest of the 6.6-mile radius 
of the airport is modified to 14 miles southwest of the airport, and 
the segment northwest of the 6.6-mile radius of the airport is modified 
to 29 miles northwest of the airport. The segments of controlled 
airspace west and southwest of the airport are removed as they are no 
longer required for aircraft arriving and departing under IFR 
operations.
    The FAA has determined this regulation only involves an established 
body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments 
are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this 
regulation: (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 
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. The FAA's authority to issue rules 
regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. 
Subtitle 1, Section 106 discusses 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 
controlled airspace at the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, AK.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action is

[[Page 18155]]

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(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 the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9X, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 
2013 is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace designated as surface areas.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Sitka, AK [Modified]

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57[deg]02'50'' N., long. 135[deg]21'42'' W.)

    Within a 4.1 mile radius of Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, and 
within 3.5 miles each side of the airport 209[deg] radial extending 
from the 4.1-mile radius to 10.5 miles southwest of the airport, and 
within 3 miles each side of the airport 313[deg] radial extending 
from the 4.1-mile radius to 11.1 miles northwest of the airport. 
This Class E airspace is effective during the 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, Alaska Supplement.

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Sitka, AK [Modified]

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, AK
    (Lat. 57[deg]02'50'' N., long. 135[deg]21'42'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.6-mile radius of Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, and 
within 4 miles each side of the airport 209[deg] radial extending 
from the 6.6-mile radius to 14.5 miles south of the airport, and 
within 4 miles east and 8 miles west of the airport 313[deg] radial 
extending from the 6.6-mile radius to 29 miles northwest of the 
airport; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above 
the surface within a 40-mile radius of lat. 56[deg]51'34'' N., long. 
135[deg]33'05'' W.; and that airspace extending upward from 5,500 
feet MSL within an 85-mile radius of lat. 56[deg]51'34'' N., long. 
135[deg]33'05'' W.; excluding that airspace that extends beyond 12 
miles from the coast

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on March 18, 2014.
Johanna Forkner,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2014-06722 Filed 3-31-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P