[Federal Register: December 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 240)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 69597-69598]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15de03-3]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2003-16075; Airspace Docket No. 03-AAL-18]

 
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, 
AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace in the Mentasta Lake/
Mountains Area, AK. A need was identified to operate via Instrument 
Flight Rules (IFR) from Tok, AK off-airways, to/from Anchorage, AK. 
Class E airspace did not exist below 14,500 feet in the Mentasta Lake/
Mountains Area, AK to allow Anchorage ARTCC to provide IFR enroute 
services. This rule results in new Class E airspace upward from 1,200 
feet (ft.) above the surface in the Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, AK.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, February 19, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jesse Patterson, AAL-538G, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 
http://www.alaska.faa.gov/at.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On Monday, September 22, 2003, the FAA proposed to revise part 71 
of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to create new 
Class E airspace upward from 1,200ft. above the surface in the Mentasta 
Lake/Mountains Area, AK (68 FR 55013). A commercial flight operator 
(part 135) identified a need for more direct routings to/from Tok, AK. 
The action establishes Class E airspace sufficient to contain aircraft 
proceeding to and from Tok, AK direct to join the Federal airways in 
the vicinity of Gulkana, AK. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written 
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No public comments have been

[[Page 69598]]

received, thus, the rule is adopted as proposed.
    The area will 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 6006 of FAA Order 
7400.9L, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 2, 
2003, and effective September 16, 2003, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in 
this document will be revoked and revised subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This revision to 14 CFR part 71 establishes Class E airspace at 
Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, Alaska. This additional Class E airspace 
was created to accommodate aircraft operating (IFR) from Tok, AK off-
airways, to/from Anchorage, AK and will be depicted on aeronautical 
charts for pilot reference. The intended effect of this rule is to 
provide adequate controlled airspace for IFR operations in the Mentasta 
Lake/Mountains Area, Alaska.
    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 a routine matter that will 
only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified 
that this rule 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).

Adoption of the Amendment

0
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration 
amends 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

0
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]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.9L, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated September 2, 2003, and effective September 16, 2003, is 
amended as follows:
* * * * *

Paragraph 6006 Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet or 
more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

AAL AK E6 Mentasta Lake/Mountains Area, AK [New]

    That airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet bounded on the 
north by V-444, on the south by G-8 and on the west by V-515, 
excluding the Fairbanks Class E Airspace and that airspace 
designated for federal airways.
* * * * *

    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on December 3, 2003.
Trent S. Cummings,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Alaskan Region.
[FR Doc. 03-30907 Filed 12-12-03; 8:45 am]

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