Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Helena, MT, 78705-78707 [2020-26816]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 235 (Monday, December 7, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78705-78707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26816]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0810; Airspace Docket No. 19-ANM-101]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Helena, MT

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class D airspace at Helena Regional 
Airport. This action also modifies the Class E airspace, designated as 
a surface area. Additionally, this action establishes Class E airspace, 
designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area. 
Further, this action modifies the Class E airspace, extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface. Also, this action modifies the Class E 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. This 
action removes the Helena VORTAC from the airspace legal descriptions. 
Lastly, this action implements administrative corrections to the 
airspaces' legal descriptions.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, February 25, 2021. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
Title 1 Code of Federal Regulations part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: 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 [email protected] 
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 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 modifies Class D and Class E airspace at Helena Regional Airport, 
Helena, MT, to ensure the safety and management of Instrument Flight 
Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (85 FR 59700; September 23, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2020-
00810 to modify Class D and Class E airspace at Helena Regional 
Airport, Helena, MT. Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal 
to the FAA. One comment, that is not germane to the proposed airspace 
action, was received.
    Class D, E2, E4, and E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 5000, 6002, 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 E airspace 
designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends 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 Rule

    This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 71 
modifies the Class D airspace at Helena Regional Airport, Helena, MT. 
The action modifies the Class D airspace by adding extensions to the 
east and west of the airport, to properly contain IFR departures to 700 
feet above the surface. The airspace area is described as follows: That 
airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 6,400 feet 
within a 4.4-mile radius of the airport, and within 2 miles each side 
of the 091[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile 
radius to 5.2 miles east of the airport, and within 2 miles each side 
of 292[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile 
radius to 5.8 miles west of Helena Regional Airport. 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 Chart Supplement. 
This action also modifies the Class E airspace, designated as a surface 
area, to be coincident with the new Class D dimensions. The airspace

[[Page 78706]]

area is as follows: That airspace extending upward from the surface 
within a 4.4-mile radius of the airport, and within 2 miles each side 
of the 091[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile 
radius to 5.2 miles east of the airport, and within 2 miles each side 
of 292[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile 
radius to 5.8 miles west of Helena Regional 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 Chart Supplement.
    Additionally, this action establishes Class E airspace, designated 
as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area. This airspace 
area is designed to contain IFR aircraft descending below 1,000 feet 
above the surface. The airspace area is described as follows: That 
airspace extending upward from the surface within an area bounded by a 
line beginning at lat. 46[deg]34'18.57'' N, Long. 111[deg]51'30.319'' 
W, to lat. 46[deg]38'5.89'' N, Long. 111[deg]51'24.53'' W, to lat. 
46[deg]37'12.53'' N, Long. 111[deg]45'24.67'' W, to lat. 
46[deg]32'22.72'' N, Long. 111[deg]46'31.44'' W, to lat. 
46[deg]33'24.13'' N, Long. 111[deg]54'20.01'' W, then counter-clockwise 
along. the 4.4-mile radius of the airport to lat. 46[deg]34'20.01'' N, 
Long. 111[deg]53'22.03'' W, then to the point of beginning, and within 
an area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 46[deg]38'39.95'' N, Long. 
112[deg]06'47.50''W, to lat. 46[deg]36'47.49'' N, Long. 
112[deg]07'53.41'' W, to lat. 46[deg]37'22.52'' N, Long. 
112[deg]11'37.80'' W, to lat. 46[deg]39'19.40'' N, Long. 
112[deg]10'58.64'' W, then to the point of beginning west of Helena 
Regional Airport.
    Further, this action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface. The action properly sizes the airspace 
to contain IFR departures to 1,200 feet above the surface and IFR 
arrivals descending below 1,500 feet above the surface. The airspace 
area is described as follows: That airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface within an 8.3-mile radius of the airport, and 
within 1 mile each side of the 103[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 8.3-mile radius to 10.7 miles east of the airport, 
and within 1.8 miles each side of the 281[deg] bearing from the 
airport, extending from the 8.3-mile radius to 18.1 miles west of 
Helena Regional Airport. This action also modifies the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface to properly contain 
IFR aircraft transitioning to/from the terminal and en route 
environments. The airspace area is described as follows: That airspace 
extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 36-mile 
radius of Helena Regional Airport. The action also removes the Helena 
VORTAC and all references to the VORTAC from the Class D, E2, and E5 
legal descriptions. The navigational aid is not needed to define the 
airspace. Removal of the navigational aid allows the airspace to be 
defined from a single reference point which simplifies how the airspace 
is described. The action also updates the airport's geographic 
coordinates to match the FAA database. The coordinates should read lat. 
46[deg]36'24'' N, Long. 111[deg]59'0.0'' W. Additionally, the term 
``Airport/Facility Directory'' in the last sentence of the Class D and 
Class E2 airspace legal descriptions is outdated, the term is updated 
to ``Chart Supplement''. 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 
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 5-6.5a. This airspace action is 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(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 Helena, MT [Amended]

Helena Regional Airport, MT
    (Lat. 46[deg]36'24'' N, long. 111[deg]59'0.0'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
6,400 feet within a 4.4-mile radius of the airport, and within 2 
miles each side of the 091[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 
from the 4.4-mile radius to 5.2 miles east of the airport, and 
within 2 miles each side of 292[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 4.4-mile radius to 5.8 miles west of Helena 
Regional Airport. 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 Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002. Class E Airspace Areas Designated as a Surface 
Area.

* * * * *

ANM MT E2 Helena, MT [Amended]

Helena Regional Airport, MT
    (Lat. 46[deg]36'24'' N, long. 111[deg]59'0.0'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.4-
mile radius of the airport, and within 2 miles each side of the 
091[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-mile 
radius to 5.2 miles east of the airport, and within 2 miles each 
side of 292[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 4.4-
mile radius to 5.8 miles west of Helena Regional 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 Chart 
Supplement.

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

* * * * *

ANM MT E4 Helena, MT [New]

Helena Regional Airport, MT

[[Page 78707]]

    (Lat. 46[deg]36'24'' N, long. 111[deg]59'0.0'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within an area 
bounded by a line beginning at Lat. 46[deg]34'18.57'' N, long. 
111[deg]51'30.319'' W, to Lat. 46[deg]38'5.89'' N, Long. 
111[deg]51'24.53 '' W, to Lat. 46[deg]37'12.53'' N, long. 
111[deg]45'24.67 '' W, to Lat. 46[deg]32'22.72'' N, Long. 
111[deg]46'31.44'' W, to Lat. 46[deg]33'24.13'' N, Long. 
111[deg]54'20.01'' W, then counter-clockwise along the 4.4-mile 
radius of the airport to Lat. 46[deg]34'20.01'' N, long. 
111[deg]53'22.03'' W, then to the point of beginning, and within an 
area bounded by a line beginning at Lat. 46[deg]38'39.95'' N, long. 
112[deg]06'47.50'' W, to Lat. 46[deg]36'47.49'' N, long. 
112[deg]07'53.41'' W, to Lat. 46[deg]37'22.52'' N, long. 
112[deg]11'37.80'' W, to Lat. 46[deg]39'19.40'' N, long. 
112[deg]10'58.64'' W, then to the point of beginning west of Helena 
Regional Airport.

Paragraph 6005. Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward from 700 
feet or more above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ANM MT E5 Helena, MT [Amended]

Helena Regional Airport, MT
    (Lat. 46[deg]36'24'' N, long. 111[deg]59'0.0'' W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within an 8.3-mile radius of the airport, and within 1 mile each 
side of the 103[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 
8.3-mile radius to 10.7 miles east of the airport, and within 1.8 
miles each side of the 281[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 
from the 8.3-mile radius to 18.1 miles west of the airport; and that 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 
36-mile radius of Helena Regional Airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on December 1, 2020.
B. G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2020-26816 Filed 12-4-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P