Modification of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 94-AAL-06]

Modification of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D airspace area at Bryant Army

Heliport (AHP), AK, by amending the areas' effective hours to coincide

with the associated control tower's hours of operation. This action

also modifies Class E airspace at Gulkana Airport, AK, by amending the

areas' effective hours to coincide with the associated flight service

station's hours of operation. The intended effect of this action is to

clarify when two-way radio communication with the Bryant air traffic

control tower (ATCT) is required and to clarify when Class E airspace

exists for instrument approach procedures at Gulkana Airport.

DATES: Effective date: 0901 u.t.c. June 23, 1994.

Comment date: Comments must be received on or before June 23, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager,

System Management Branch, AAL-530, Docket No. 94-AAL-06, Federal

Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Ave. Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513-

7587.

The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant

Chief Counsel for the Alaskan Region at the same address.

An informal docket may also be examined during normal business

hours in the Office of the Manager, System Management Branch, Air

Traffic Division, at the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert C. Durand, System Management Branch, AAL-531, Federal Aviation

Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue #14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587;

telephone number: (907) 271-5898.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments on the Rule

Although this action is a final rule, and was not preceded by

notice and public procedure, comments are invited on the rule. This

rule will become effective on the date specified in the ``DATES''

section. However, after the review of any comments, and if the FAA

finds that further changes are appropriate, it will initiate rulemaking

proceedings to extend the effective date of the rule or to amend the

regulation.

Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and

suggestions presented are particularly helpful in evaluating the

effects of the rule, and in determining whether additional rulemaking

is required. Comments are specifically invited on the overall

regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related

aspects of the rule which might suggest the need to modify the rule.

The Rule

This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR part 71) modifies the Class D airspace area at Bryant AHP, AK, by

amending the areas' effective hours to coincide with the associated

control tower's hours of operation. This action also amends Class E

airspace effective hours at Gulkana, AK, to coincide with the

associated flight service station's hours of operation. Prior to

Airspace Reclassification, an airport traffic area (ATA) and a control

zone (CZ) existed at Bryant AHP and a control zone (CZ) existed at

Gulkana. However, Airspace Reclassification, effective September 16,

1993, discontinued the use of the term ``airport traffic area'' and

``control zone,'' replacing them with the designation of ``Class D

airspace.'' The former CZ was continuous, while the former ATA was

contingent upon the operation of the air traffic control tower. The

consolidation of the ATA and CZ into a single Class D airspace

designation at Bryant AHP makes it necessary to modify the effective

hours of the Class D airspace to coincide with the control tower's

hours of operation. The intended effect of this action is to clarify

when two-way radio communication with the air traffic control tower

Bryant AHP, AK, is required and to provide adequate Class E airspace

for instrument approach procedures at Gulkana, AK.

The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North

American Datum 83. Class D and E airspace designations are published in

Paragraphs 5000 and 6002, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9A dated June

17, 1993, and effective September 16, 1993, which is incorporated by

reference in 14 CFR 71.1 (58 FR 36298; July 6, 1993). The Class D and E

airspace designations listed in this document will be published

subsequently in the Order. Under the circumstances presented, the FAA

concludes that there is an immediate need to modify this Class D and

Class E airspace area in order to promote the safe and efficient

handling of air traffic in these areas. Therefore, I find that notice

and public procedures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are impracticable and

contrary to the public interest.

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.

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 will not have a significant economic impact on

a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the

Regulatory Flexibility Act.

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--[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 71 continues read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. app. 1348(a), 1354(a), 1510; E.O. 10854, 24

FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 14 CFR

11.69.

Sec. 71.1 [Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal

Aviation Administration Order 7400.9A, Airspace Designations and

Reporting Points, dated June 17, 1993, and effective September 16,

1993, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000--General

* * * * *

AAL AK D Anchorage, Bryant AHP, AK [Revised]

Anchorage, Bryant AHP, AK

(lat. 61 deg.15'45'' N, long. 149 deg.39'17'' W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including

1,500 feet MSL within a line beginning at lat. 61 deg.17'13'' N,

long. 149 deg.37'35'' W; thence west along lat. 61 deg.17'13'' N to

the long. 149 deg.43'08'' W line; thence south along long.

149 deg.43'08'' W line to the Glenn Highway; thence north and east

along the Glenn Highway to its intersection with a line one-half

mile east of and parallel to Bryant AHP Runway 16/34 extended

centerline; thence northeast along a line one-half mile east of and

parallel to Bryant AHP Runway 26/34 extended centerline 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 Airport/Facility Directory.

* * * * *

Paragraph 6002--Class E airspace areas designated as a surface area

for an airport

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Gulkana, AK [Revised]

Gulkana, AK

(lat. 62 deg.09'17'' N, long. 145 deg.27'16'' W)

Gulkana VORTAC

(lat. 62 deg.09'08'' N, long. 145 deg.27'01'' W)

Glennallen NDB

(lat. 62 deg.11'43'' N, long. 145 deg.28'05'' W)

Within a 3.9-mile radius of the Gulkana Airport and within 2.8

miles of each side of the Glennallen NDB 351 deg. bearing extending

from the 3.9-mile radius of the Gulkana Airport to 9.4 miles north

of the Gulkana Airport and within 2.4 miles each side of the Gulkana

VORTAC 180 deg. radial extending from the 3.9-mile radius of the

Gulkana Airport to 7.1 miles south of the Gulkana Airport. 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

Airport/Facility Directory.

* * * * *

Issued in Anchorage, AK, on May 2, 1994.

Willis C. Nelson,

Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.

[FR Doc. 94-11849 Filed 5-13-94; 8:45 am]

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