Modification of Class E Airspace; Alaska, AK, 88182-88183 [2024-25855]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 216 (Thursday, November 7, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 88182-88183]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25855]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2333; Airspace Docket No. 24-AAL-111]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Class E Airspace; Alaska, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a designated landmass 
and within 12 miles from a designated coastline associated with the 
state of Alaska. Additionally, this action proposes administrative 
amendments to update the airspace's existing Class E airspace legal 
description. These actions will support lower altitude instrument 
flight rules (IFR) operations and enhance safety for aircraft utilizing 
IFR and visual flight rules (VFR) operations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 23, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2333 and 
Airspace Docket No. 24-AAL-111 using any of the following methods:
    * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    * Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West 
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in 
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    * Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for 
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of 
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and 
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith T. Adams, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-2428.

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 would modify Class E airspace to support IFR and VFR operations 
in the state of Alaska.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most 
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain 
the reason for any recommended change, and include

[[Page 88183]]

supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate 
comments, commenters should submit only one time if comments are filed 
electronically, or commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments if comments are filed in writing.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before 
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed 
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light 
of the comments it receives.
    Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments 
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at 
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 
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and 
hours of operations). 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class E6 airspace designations are published in paragraph 6006, of 
FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This 
document proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order 
JO 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024. 
These updates would be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 
7400.11. That order is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this document.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

Background

    Alaska has 103 different Class E 1,200 feet airspace areas that are 
primarily used for low level IFR en route operations. Alaska currently 
has a Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the 
surface, which is designated as the northeast en route domestic 
airspace. The Alaska en route domestic airspace is inadequately sized. 
This modification to the northeast en route domestic airspace will 
expand the coverage of controlled airspace, eliminating Class G 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 ft above the surface.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 that would 
modify Class E airspace beginning at 1,200 feet above the surface over 
the mainland of Alaska to provide continuous controlled airspace from 
1,200 feet above the surface until reaching the base of adjacent 
controlled airspace. The proposed airspace would cover most of Alaska's 
mainland and would provide adequate coverage of controlled airspace for 
aircraft conducting IFR operations.
    In addition, the FAA proposes an administrative modification that 
updates the airspace name.

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. 
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 proposed rule, when promulgated, will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
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

    In consideration of the foregoing, 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 JO 
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31, 
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6006 En Route Domestic Airspace Areas.

* * * * *

AAL AK E6 Alaska-Yukon, AK [Amend]

    That airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within the area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 69[deg]52'17'' 
N, long. 141[deg]00'00'' W; to lat. 60[deg]33'27'' N, long. 
141[deg]00'08'' W; to lat. 59[deg]49'14'' N, long. 142[deg]03'04'' 
W; thence west and north 12 miles from, and parallel to, the 
coastline, to lat. 57[deg]30'27'' N, long. 155[deg]24'35'' W; to 
lat. 57[deg]50'00'' N, long. 158[deg]00'00'' W; thence north and 
east 12 miles from, and parallel to, the coastline, to the point of 
beginning; excluding that portion within restricted areas R-2201A, 
R-2201B, R-2202A, R-2202B, R-2203A, R-2203B, R-2203C, R-2204 Low, R-
2205A, R-2205B, R-2205C, R-2205D, R2205E, R-2206A, R-2206B, R-2206D, 
and R-2211 when active.
* * * * *

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on October 31, 2024.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2024-25855 Filed 11-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P