Establishment of Class E Airspace; and Modification of Class E Airspace; Alpena, MI

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-AGL-11]

Establishment of Class E Airspace; and Modification of Class E

Airspace; Alpena, MI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This notice establishes Class E airspace and modifies Class E

airspace at Alpena, MI. A Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard

Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP), 012 deg. helicopter point in

space approach, has been developed for Alpena General Hospital

Heliport, Alpena, MI. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 to

1200 feet above ground level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft

executing the approach. This action modifies existing controlled

airspace for Alpena, MI, in order to include the point in space

approach serving Alpena General Hospital Heliport. In addition, air

carrier operations are routinely conducted into and out of the airport

during periods of time when the airport traffic control tower (ATCT) is

closed. This action creates a Class E airspace area during periods of

time when the ATCT is closed to better accommodate those operations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, July 15, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle M. Behm, Air Traffic

Division, Airspace Branch, AGL-520, Federal Aviation Administration,

2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, telephone (847)

294-7568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On Thursday, February 18, 1999, the FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR

part 71 to establish Class E airspace and modify Class E airspace at

Alpena, MI (64 FR 8031). The proposal was to add controlled airspace

extending upward from the surface and 700 to 1200 feet AGL to contain

Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations in controlled airspace during

portions of the terminal operation and while transiting between the

enroute and terminal environments.

Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking

proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA.

No comments objecting to the proposal were received. Class E airspace

designations for airspace areas extending upward from the surface are

published in paragraph 6002 and airspace areas extending upward from

700 feet or more above the surface of the earth are published in

paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9F dated September 10, 1998, and

effective September 16, 1998, 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.

The Rule

This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 establishes Class E airspace and

modifies Class E airspace at Alpena, MI, to accommodate aircraft

executing the proposed GPS SIAP 012 deg. helicopter point in space

approach for Alpena General Hospital Heliport by modifying the existing

controlled airspace, and to accommodate air carrier operations during

periods of times when the ATCT is closed by establishing a new Class E

surface area. The area will be depicted on appropriate aeronautical

charts.

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.

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 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--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND

CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

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

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24

FR 95665, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

Sec. 71.1 [Amended]

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

Aviation Administration Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and

Reporting Pointing, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September

16, 1998, is amended as follows:

* * * * *

Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace areas designated as surface areas.

* * * * *

AGL MI E2 Alpena, MI [New]

Alpena County Regional Airport

(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.)

Within a 4.4-mile radius of the Alpena County Regional Airport,

and within 2.5 miles each side of the Alpena VORTAC 350 deg. radial,

extending from the 4.4-mile radius of the airport to 7.0 miles north

of the VORTAC, and within 2.5 miles each side of the Alpena VORTAC

187 deg. radial, extending from the 4.4-mile radius of the airport

to 7.0 miles south of the VORTAC. This Class E airspace 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 6005 Class E airspace area extending upward from 700

feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

[[Page 20157]]

AGL MI E5 Alpena, MI [Revised]

Alpena County Regional Airport

(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.)

FELPS NDB

(Lat. 44 deg.57'39'' N., long. 83 deg.33'36'' W.)

Alpena General Hospital, 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 7.0-mile radius of Alpena County Regional Airport and

within 4.0 miles each side of the 180 deg. bearing from the FELPS

NDB extending from the 7.0-mile radius to 12.3 miles south of the

Alpena VORTAC, and within a 6.0-mile radius of the Point in Space

serving Alpena General Hospital.

* * * * *

Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on April 8, 1999.

David B. Johnson,

Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division.

[FR Doc. 99-10434 Filed 4-23-99; 8:45 am]

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