Proposed Establishment of Class E Airspace; Barter Island, AK

Comments Invited

Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. Communications should identify the airspace docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 98- AAL-21.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter. All communications received on or before the specified closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available for

examination in the Operations Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK, both before and after the closing date for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRM's

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded, using a modem and suitable communications software, from the FAA regulations section of the Fedworld electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 703-321-3339) or the Federal Register's electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 202-512-1661). Internet users may reach the Federal Register's web page for access to recently published rulemaking documents at https:// www.access.gpo.gov/su__docs/aces/aces140.html. Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by submitting a request to the Operations Branch, AAL-530, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587. Communications must identify the notice number of this NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, which describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 by establishing Class E airspace at Barter Island, AK, through the establishment of GPS and NDB instrument approaches to Barter Island, AK. The Barter Island Airport status will be upgraded from VFR to IFR. The intended effect of this proposal is to provide adequate controlled airspace for IFR operations at Barter Island, AK. The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83. The Class E airspace areas designated as 700/1200 foot transition areas are published in paragraph 6005 in FAA Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 (63 FR 50139; September 21, 1998). The Class E airspace listed in this document would be published in the Order. The FAA has determined that these proposed regulations only involve 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 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.

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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

Sec. 71.1 [Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, is to be amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth.

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AAL AK E5 Barter Island, AK [New]

Barter Island Airport, AK (Lat. 70 deg. 08' 02'' N., long. 143 deg. 34' 55'' W.) Barter Island NDB (Lat. 70 deg. 07' 50'' N., long. 143 deg. 38' 38'' W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 4.7 mile radius of the Barter Island Airport; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within the area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 70 deg. 17' 07'' N., long. 142 deg. 47' 30'' W. to lat. 69 deg. 59' 40'' N., long. 142 deg. 55' 45'' W. to lat. 69 deg. 41' 50'' N., long. 143 deg. 39' 55'' W. to lat. 69 deg. 42' 25'' N., long. 144 deg. 03' 50'' W. to lat. 70 deg. 05' 20'' N., long. 144 deg. 30' 00'' W. to lat. 70 deg. 14' 31'' N., long. 144 deg. 35' 00'' W., thence east 12 miles away and parallel to the shoreline to the point of beginning. * * * * *

Issued in Anchorage, AK, on December 7, 1998. Joseph F. Woodford, Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region. [FR Doc. 98-33294 Filed 12-15-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P