82 FR 44312 - Amendment of Class E Airspace, Soldotna, AK

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 183 (September 22, 2017)

This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, AK. After review of the airspace, the FAA found redesign necessary due to procedure modifications. This action also removes reference to the Soldotna non-directional radio beacon (NDB) in the legal description and updates the geographic coordinates of the airport. This action enhances the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport and of aircraft within the National Airspace System.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 183 (Friday, September 22, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44312-44313]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20042]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9588; Airspace Docket No. 16-AAL-5]


Amendment of Class E Airspace, Soldotna, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface at Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, AK. After 
review of the airspace, the FAA found redesign necessary due to 
procedure modifications. This action also removes reference to the 
Soldotna non-directional radio beacon (NDB) in the legal description 
and updates the geographic coordinates of the airport. This action 
enhances the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport and 
of aircraft within the National Airspace System.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 7, 2017. 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 7400.11B, 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 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 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 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert LaPlante, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4566.

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 amends Class E airspace at Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, AK, to 
conform the airspace size necessary for the current instrument flight 
rules (IFR) operations under standard instrument approach and departure 
procedures at the airport.

[[Page 44313]]

History

    On March 23, 2017, the FAA published in the Federal Register (82 FR 
14839) Docket FAA-2016-9588 a notice of proposed rulemaking to modify 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at 
Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, AK. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received to the proposed 
rule.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005 of 
FAA Order 7400.11B, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 
2017, 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 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 
2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B 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 extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface at Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, AK. The segment extending 
from the 10.1-mile radius of the airport within 4 miles either side of 
the 270[deg] bearing of the Soldotna NDB is revised from 4 miles to 2.4 
miles with the reference to the NDB changed to the Soldotna Airport.
    The segment extending from the 10.1-mile radius to 21 miles west of 
Soldotna Airport is modified to 11 miles west of the airport.
    The segment within 4 miles south of the 090[deg] bearing of 
Soldotna Airport is revised to 3.5 miles. This action is necessary 
because the airspace as previously configured exceeded the minimum size 
required for current arrivals and departures.

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, will 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.

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 7400.11B, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and 
effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Soldotna, AK [Modified]

Soldotna, Soldotna Airport, AK
    (Lat. 60[deg]28'31'' N., long. 151[deg]02'23'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 10.1-mile radius of the Soldotna Airport and within 2.4 
miles either side of the 270[deg] bearing of Soldotna Airport, 
extending from the 10.1-mile radius to 11 miles west of the airport, 
and within 3.5 miles either side of the 090[deg] bearing of Soldotna 
Airport, AK, extending from the 10.1-mile radius to 14.3 miles east 
of the airport; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet 
above the surface within a 73-mile radius of Soldotna Airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on September 14, 2017.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2017-20042 Filed 9-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P