80 FR 58199 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Portland, OR

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 187 (September 28, 2015)

This action modifies Class E surface area airspace designated as an extension to Class C airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Portland International Airport, Portland, OR. After reviewing the airspace, the FAA found the Portland VHF omnidirectional radio range/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME) and Laker non-directional beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned, thereby necessitating airspace redesign for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also corrects the geographic coordinates of the airport.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 187 (Monday, September 28, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58199-58201]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24434]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1137; Airspace Docket No. 15-ANM-4]


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Portland, OR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E surface area airspace designated 
as an extension to Class C airspace, and Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Portland International 
Airport, Portland, OR. After reviewing the airspace, the FAA found the 
Portland VHF omnidirectional radio range/distance measuring equipment 
(VOR/DME) and Laker non-directional beacon (NDB) has been 
decommissioned, thereby necessitating airspace redesign for the safety 
and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the 
airport. This action also corrects the geographic coordinates of the 
airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 10, 2015. 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 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy and ATC Regulations Group, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington DC 29591; 
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 this material at NARA, call 202-741-
6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Haga, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4563.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 58200]]

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 amends controlled airspace at Portland International Airport, 
Portland, OR.

History

    On July 20, 2015, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to modify Class E surface area 
airspace designated as an extension to the Class C airspace, and Class 
E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Portland 
International Airport, Portland, OR, (80 FR 42760). Interested parties 
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting 
written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. 
Subsequent to publication, the FAA found minor latitudinal and 
longitudinal adjustments were required to ensure sectional chart 
accuracy. The 2.7 mile references are changed to 3 miles to compensate 
for calculation differences between nautical and statute miles. These 
errors have been corrected in this document.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6003 and 
6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9Z, dated August 6, 2015, and 
effective September 15, 2015, 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 7400.9Z, airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 
2015. FAA Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this final rule. FAA Order 7400.9Z 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 (14 CFR) 
part 71 modifies Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class C 
airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface at Portland International Airport, Portland, OR. A review of 
the airspace revealed modification necessary due to the decommissioned 
Portland VOR/DME and Laker NDB navigation aids. Also, the geographic 
coordinates of the airport are amended to coincide with the FAA's 
aeronautical database.
    Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class C airspace is 
modified to an area 4.7 miles west and 4 miles east of the 044[deg] 
bearing from Portland International Airport extending to 18 miles 
northeast of the airport. The lateral boundary for Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is defined utilizing 
latitudinal and longitudinal reference points instead of navigation 
aids. This does not change the lateral boundaries or operating 
requirements of the airspace.

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 only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule, when promulgated, does 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 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. 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.

Lists 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 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 7400.9Z, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and 
effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6003 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension

* * * * *

ANM OR E3 Portland, OR [Modified]

Portland International Airport, OR
    (Lat. 45[deg]35'19'' N., long. 122[deg]35'49'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface bounded by a 
line beginning at lat. 45[deg]40'12'' N., long. 122[deg]37'24'' W.; 
to lat. 45[deg]41'14'' N., long. 122[deg]37'21'' W.; to lat. 
45[deg]51'45'' N., long. 122[deg]22'16'' W.; to lat. 45[deg]45'40'' 
N., long. 122[deg]13'32'' W.; to lat. 45[deg]35'13'' N., long. 
122[deg]28'42'' W.; thence counter-clockwise along the 5-mile radius 
of Portland International Airport to the point of beginning.

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth

* * * * *

ANM OR E5 Portland, OR [Modified]

Portland International Airport, OR
    (Lat. 45[deg]35'19'' N., long. 22[deg]35'49'' W.)
McMinnville, McMinnville Municipal Airport, OR
    (Lat. 45[deg]11'40'' N., long. 123[deg]08'10'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
bounded by a line beginning at lat. 45[deg]59'59'' N., long. 
123[deg]30'04'' W.; to lat. 46[deg]00'00'' N., long. 122[deg]13'00'' 
W.; thence via an 8.5-mile radius centered at lat. 45[deg]55'07'' 
N., long. 122[deg]03'02'' W. clockwise to lat. 45[deg]46'39'' N., 
long. 122[deg]04'00'' W.; thence via a line south to lat. 
45[deg]09'59'' N., long. 122[deg]04'00'' W.; thence to lat. 
45[deg]09'59'' N., long. 123[deg]02'34'' W.; to lat. 45[deg]09'59'' 
N., long. 123[deg]30'04'' W.; thence to the point of beginning; and 
within a 4.3-mile radius of McMinnville Municipal Airport; and 
within 2 miles each side of the 215[deg] bearing from McMinnville 
Municipal Airport to 8.1 miles south of the airport; and that

[[Page 58201]]

airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface bounded 
by a line beginning at lat. 46[deg]30'29'' N., long. 124[deg]06'51'' 
W.; to lat. 46[deg]30'29'' N., long. 120[deg]29'40'' W.; to lat. 
45[deg]42'49'' N., long. 121[deg]06'03'' W.; to lat. 44[deg]15'10'' 
N., long. 121[deg]18'13'' W.; to lat. 44[deg]29'59'' N., long. 
123[deg]17'38'' W.; to lat. 44[deg]29'59'' N., long. 
124[deg]08'036'' W. to a point 3 miles offshore; thence along a line 
3 miles offshore to the point of beginning.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on September 21, 2015.
Christopher Ramirez,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2015-24434 Filed 9-25-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P