Document ID: FAA-2020-1126-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Great Falls, MT
Posted Date: 2021-01-15T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3891-3893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-29319]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1126; Airspace Docket No. 19-ANM-10]
RIN 2120-AA66

Proposed Amendment of Class E airspace; Great Falls, MT

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace, 
designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, at 
Great Falls International Airport. This action also proposes to modify 
the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. 
Additionally, this action proposes to modify the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. This action also 
proposes to remove the Great Falls VORTAC from the Class E4 and Class 
E5 text headers and airspace descriptions. Further, this action 
proposes to remove Malmstrom AFB from the Class E5 text header and 
airspace description. Lastly, this action proposes several 
administrative corrections to the airspaces' legal descriptions. This 
action would ensure the safety and management of instrument flight 
rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 1, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 
1-800-647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2020-1126; Airspace Docket No. 19-ANM-10, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11E, 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 7400.11E 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

[[Page 3892]]

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 would amend the Class E airspace at Great Falls 
International Airport, Great Falls, MT, to support IFR operations at 
the airport.

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 both docket numbers and be submitted in 
triplicate to the address listed above. Persons 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 Docket No. FAA-2020-1126; 
Airspace Docket No. 19-ANM-10''. The postcard will be date/time stamped 
and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received 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 the 
comments received. A report summarizing each substantive public contact 
with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see the ADDRESSES section for the address and phone number) 
between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the Northwest Mountain Regional Office of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Western Service 
Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 
98198.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective 
September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations Part 71 by modifying the Class E airspace, designated as an 
extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, at Great Falls 
International Airport. This action proposes to reduce the size of the 
area to properly contain IFR aircraft descending below 1,000 feet above 
the surface. This area would be described as follows: That airspace 
extending upward from the surface within 1 mile each side of the 
224[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 5.5-mile radius 
to 9.6 miles southwest of Great Falls International Airport.
    This action also proposes to modify the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface. This action proposes to 
significantly reduce the size of this area to properly contain IFR 
departures to 1,200 feet above the surface and IFR arrivals descending 
below 1,500 feet above the surface. This area would be described as 
follows: That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of the airport, and within 3.4 miles each side 
of the 047[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 7-mile 
radius to 12 miles northeast of the airport, and within 8 miles south 
and 4 miles north of the 222[deg] from the airport, extending from 2.6 
miles southwest of the airport to 18.7 miles southwest of Great Falls 
International Airport.
    Additionally, this action proposes to modify the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. This action would 
also reduce the size of this area to properly contain IFR aircraft 
transitioning to/from the terminal and en route environments. This area 
would be described as follows: That airspace extending upward from 
1,200 feet above the surface within a 48-mile radius of Great Falls 
International Airport.
    This action also proposes to remove the Great Falls VORTAC from the 
Class E4 and Class E5 text headers and airspace descriptions. The 
Navigational Aid (NAVAID) is not needed to describe the airspace areas. 
Removal of the NAVAID allows the airspace to be described from a single 
point, which simplifies the airspaces' descriptions.
    Further, this action proposes to remove Malmstrom AFB from the 
Class E5 text header and airspace description. Reference to Malmstrom 
AFB is not needed to describe the airspace area. Removal of Malmstrom 
AFB allows the airspace to be described from a single point, which 
simplifies the airspace's description.
    Lastly, this action proposes several administrative amendments to 
the airspaces' legal descriptions. The first line of the Class D and 
Class E4 text headers is not correct. The first line of text should not 
include the airport name, ``International Airport'' should be removed 
from this line of text. The airport's geographic coordinates in the 
Class D, Class E4, and Class E5 text header are incorrect. To match the 
FAA database, the geographic coordinates should be updated to lat. 
47[deg]28'56'' N, long. 111[deg]22'13'' W.
    Class D, E4, and E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000, 6004, and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11E, 
dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D and Class 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.

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 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

[[Page 3893]]

under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal 
Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace

* * * * *

ANM MT D Great Falls, MT [Amended]

Great Falls International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 47[deg]28'56'' N, long. 111[deg]22'13'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
6,200 feet MSL within a 5.5-mile radius of Great Falls International 
Airport.

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

* * * * *

ANM MT E4 Great Falls, MT [Amended]

Great Falls International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 47[deg]28'56'' N, long. 111[deg]22'13'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1 mile 
each side of the 224[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from 
the 5.5-mile radius to 9.6 miles southwest of Great Falls 
International Airport.

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

* * * * *

ANM MT E5 Great Falls, MT [Amended]

Great Falls International Airport, MT
    (Lat. 47[deg]28'56'' N, long. 111[deg]22'13'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of the airport, and within 3.4 miles each 
side of the 047[deg]bearing from the airport, extending from the 7-
mile radius to 12 miles northeast of the airport, and within 8 miles 
south and 4 miles north of the 222[deg] from the airport, extending 
from 2.6 miles southwest of the airport to 18.7 miles southwest of 
the airport; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet 
above the surface within a 48-mile radius of Great Falls 
International Airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on December 31, 2020.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2020-29319 Filed 1-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P