Establishment of Class E Airspace; Valdez Pioneer Field, AK, 16998 [06-3250]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 5, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3250]



[[Page 16998]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22686; Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL-42]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Valdez Pioneer Field, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revises Class E airspace at Valdez Pioneer Field, 
AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft 
executing two new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs), and 
one revised SIAP. This rule results in revised Class E airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet (ft.) above the surface at Valdez 
Pioneer Field, AK.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, June 8, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Rolf, AAL-538G, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587; 
telephone number (907) 271-5898; fax: (907) 271-2850; e-mail: 
gary.ctr.rolf@faa.gov. Internet address: https://www.alaska.faa.gov/at.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On Tuesday, January 31, 2006, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise Class E 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 ft. above the surface at Valdez, 
AK (71 FR 5024). The notice of proposed rulemaking did not state the 
full name, Valdez Pioneer Field. This final rule corrects that error. 
The action was proposed in order to create Class E airspace sufficient 
in size to contain aircraft while executing two new SIAPs, and one 
revised SIAP for Valdez Pioneer Field. The new approaches are (1) Very 
High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR)/Distance Measuring Equipment 
(DME)-B, Original and (2) VOR/DME-C, Original. The revised approach is 
the VOR/DME-A, Amendment 3. Class E controlled airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 ft. above the surface in the Valdez Pioneer Field 
area is created by this action. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written 
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No public comments have been 
received; thus the rule is adopted as proposed.
    The area will be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot 
reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. The Class E airspace areas designated as 700/1,200 
ft. transition areas are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 
7400.9N, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 
2005, and effective September 15, 2005, 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 modifies Class E airspace at 
Valdez Pioneer Field, Alaska. This Class E airspace will accommodate 
aircraft executing two new SIAPs, and one revised SIAP, and will be 
depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The intended 
effect of this rule is to provide adequate controlled airspace for 
Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at Valdez Pioneer Field, 
Valdez, Alaska.
    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.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle 1, 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 1, section 40103, Sovereignty and use of 
airspace. Under that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing 
regulations to ensure the safe and efficient use of the navigable 
airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because 
it creates Class E airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft 
executing instrument procedures for Valdez Pioneer Field and represents 
the FAA's continuing effort to safely and efficiently use the navigable 
airspace.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

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 Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.9N, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated September 1, 2005, and effective September 15, 2005, is 
amended as follows:

* * * * *

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Valdez, AK [Revised]

Valdez Pioneer Field, AK
    (Lat. 61[deg]08'02'' N, long. 146[deg]14'54'' W.)

Valdez Localizer
    (Lat. 61[deg]08'05'' N, long. 146[deg]13'35'' W,)

Johnstone Point VORTAC
    (Lat. 60[deg]28'51'' N, long. 146[deg]35'58'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.6-mile radius of the Valdez Airport and within 3.1 miles 
each side of the Valdez Localizer front course extending from the 
6.6-mile radius to 21.6 miles southwest of the airport; and that 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within 
50 miles of the Johnstone Point VORTAC extending clockwise from the 
Johnstone Point VORTAC 200[deg] radial to the 076[deg] radial.
* * * * *

    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on March 28, 2006.
Michael A. Tarr,
Manager, Operations Support.
[FR Doc. 06-3250 Filed 4-4-06; 8:45 am]
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