83 FR 26566 - Establishment of Class E Airspace; Pago Pago, American Samoa

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 111 (June 8, 2018)

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Pago Pago International Airport, Pago Pago, American Samoa (AS), to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) procedures at the airport. This action is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 111 (Friday, June 8, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26566-26568]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12295]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0082; Airspace Docket No. 16-AWP-22]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Pago Pago, American Samoa

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface at Pago Pago International Airport, Pago 
Pago, American Samoa (AS), to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) 
procedures at the airport. This action is necessary for the safety and 
management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within the 
National Airspace System.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, September 13, 2018. 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 
https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is

[[Page 26567]]

published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Ready, Airspace Policy Group, 
Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

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 establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the earth at Pago Pago International Airport, Pago Pago, American 
Samoa, to support IFR operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the 
Federal Register for Docket No. FAA-2018-0082 (83 FR 12289; March 21, 
2018). The NPRM proposed to establish Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface at Pago Pago International Airport, 
Pago Pago, American Samoa. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. One comment was received, supporting the 
proposal.
    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

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by establishing Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface at Pago Pago International Airport, Pago Pago, AS. 
This airspace is necessary to accommodate the redesign for IFR 
operations in standard instrument approach and departure procedures at 
the airport. Class E airspace is established within a 7-mile radius of 
Pago Pago International Airport and within 4 miles either side of the 
071[deg] bearing extending from the 7-mile radius to 10.6 miles 
northeast, and within 4 miles either side of the 240[deg] bearing 
extending from the 7-mile radius to 10.4 miles southwest; and that 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 
20-mile radius of Pago Pago International Airport, excluding that 
airspace extending beyond 12 miles of the shoreline.

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 of establishing Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Pago Pago 
International Airport, Pago Pago, American Samoa (AS) to accommodate 
new area navigation (RNAV) procedures at the airport qualifies for 
categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act and 
its implementing regulations at 40 CFR part 1500, and in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, 
Paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically excludes from further 
environmental impact review rulemaking actions that designate or modify 
classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting points (see 
14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; 
Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting Points). As such, this action 
is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental 
impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding 
Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for 
factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded 
action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further 
analysis. The FAA has determined that no extraordinary circumstances 
exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact study.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

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.

* * * * *

AWP AS E5 Pago Pago, AS [New]

Pago Pago International Airport, American Samoa
    (Lat. 14[deg]19'54'' N, Long. 170[deg]42'41'' W)
    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Pago Pago International Airport, and 
within 4 miles either side of the 071[deg] bearing of the Pago Pago 
International Airport extending from the 7-mile radius to 10.6 miles 
northeast of the airport, and within 4 miles either side of the 
240[deg] bearing of the airport, and extending from 7-miles radius 
to 10.4 miles southwest of the Pago Pago

[[Page 26568]]

International Airport; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 
feet above the surface within a 20-mile radius of Pago Pago 
International Airport, excluding that airspace extending beyond 12 
miles of the shoreline.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2018.
Rodger A. Dean Jr.,
Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-12295 Filed 6-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P