Establishment and Modification of Class E Airspace; Gunnison, CO

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action will establish and amend existing Class E airspace at Gunnison, CO, to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport. This will improve the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES:

Effective date: 0901 UTC, June 3, 2010. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Eldon Taylor, Federal Aviation Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On November 13, 2009, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend controlled airspace at Gunnison, CO (74 FR 58569). Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.

Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6002 and 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9T signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Class E airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in that Order.

The Rule

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by establishing Class E surface airspace, and adding additional Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, at Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, to accommodate IFR aircraft executing new RNAV SIAPs at the airport. This action is necessary for the safety and management of IFR operations.

The FAA has determined this regulation only involves an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this regulation: (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. The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. Subtitle 1, Section 106 discusses 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 additional controlled airspace at Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison, CO.

List 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

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.

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace designated as surface areas.

ANM CO E2 Gunnison, CO [New]

Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, CO

(Lat. 38°32′02″ N., long. 106°55′59″ W.)

Within a 4.5-mile radius of the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory.

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

ANM CO E5 Gunnison, CO [Modified]

Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, CO

(Lat. 38°32′02″ N., long. 106°55′59″ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within an area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 38°10′00″ N., long. 107°10′00″ W.; to lat. 38°21′25″N., long. 107°25′00″ W.; to lat. 38°24′30″ N., long. 107°21′00″ W.; lat. 38°33′30″ N., long. 107°20′00″ W.; to lat. 38°31′25″ N., long. 107°12′30″ W.; to lat. 38°44′00″ N., long. 106°58′00″ W.; to lat. 38°34′00″ N., long. 106°40′00″ W.; thence to the point of beginning; that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within an area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 37°59′30″ N., long. 107°16′00″ W.; to lat. 38°17′45″ N., long. 107°39′00″ W.; to lat. 38°51′00″ N., long. 107°00′10″ W.; to lat. 38°16′40″ N., long. 106°08′00″ W.; to lat. 38°09′00″ N., long. 106°16′00″ W.; to lat. 38°18′30″ N., long. 106°47′00″ W.; thence to the point of beginning.