
[Federal Register: June 9, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 110)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 32652-32653]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09jn10-3]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0502; Airspace Docket No. 10-AAL-15]

 
Revocation and Establishment of Class E Airspace; Nuiqsut, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action removes and establishes Class E airspace on the 
north slope of Alaska near Nuiqsut, AK, to provide controlled airspace 
to contain aircraft executing special Instrument Approach Procedures 
(IAPs) at two heliport facitities, Pioneer Heliport (AA27), Nuiqsut, 
AK, and Oooguruk Island Heliport (AK32), Nuiqsut, AK, both formerly 
known as Oooguruk Drill Site and Oooguruk Tie-in Helipads, 
respectively. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and 
management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the Pioneer 
and Oooguruk Island Heliports, AK.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, July 29, 2010. 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 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Rolf, AAL-538G, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587; 
telephone number (907) 271-5898; fax: (907) 271-2850; e-mail: 
gary.ctr.rolf@faa.gov. Internet address: http://www.faa.gov/about/
office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/fs/
alaskan/rulemaking/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On Thursday September 3, 2009, the FAA amended Title 14 Code of 
Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71, to establish Class E airspace 
upward from 700 ft. above the surface and from 1,200 ft. above the 
surface at two privately owned heliport facilities at Oooguruk, AK (74 
FR 45554). The two heliports were named ``Oooguruk Drill Site Helipad'' 
and ``Oooguruk Tie-in Helipad''. Subsequent to publication, the FAA 
gained further knowledge that the two heliports are actually named 
``Pioneer Heliport'' and ``Oooguruk Island Heliport'' and should be 
associated with the town of Nuiqsut (the closest nearby). This 
administrative action is being taken without public comment as it is a 
simple administrative change only, and will not affect the defined 
controlled airspace other than by name change and minor edit to 
unnecessary exclusion wording. The airspace exclusion currently 
associated with Restricted Area 2204 is unnecessary. Class E and 
Restricted airspace are mutually exclusive, so the exclusion wording is 
being removed. Class E controlled airspace extending upward from 700 
ft. and 1,200 ft. above the surface in the Pioneer and Oooguruk Island 
Heliport areas are removed and established by this action.
    The Class E airspace areas designated as 700/1,200 ft. transition 
areas are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9T, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009, and 
effective September 15, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designations listed in this document 
will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 establishes Class E airspace 
extending 700 and 1,200 feet above the surface at Pioneer and Oooguruk 
Island Heliports, AK.
    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 is 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.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle 1, 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 1, Section 40103, Sovereignty and use of 
airspace. Under that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing 
regulations to ensure the safe and efficient use of the navigable 
airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because 
it creates Class E airspace sufficient in size to contain aircraft 
executing instrument procedures for the two heliports at Pioneer 
Heliport, AK, and Oooguruk Island Heliport, AK, and represents the 
FAA's continuing effort to safely and efficiently use the navigable 
airspace.

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, 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 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, is 
amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

[[Page 32653]]

AAL AK E5 Oooguruk Drill Site Helipad, AK [Removed]

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Nuiqsut, Oooguruk Island Heliport, AK [New]

Oooguruk Island Heliport, AK
    (Lat. 70[deg]29'44'' N., long. 150[deg]15'12'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6-mile radius of the Oooguruk Island Heliport, AK; and that 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 
73-mile radius of the Oooguruk Island Heliport, AK.
* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Oooguruk Tie-in Helipad, AK [Removed]

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Nuiqsut, Pioneer Heliport, AK [New]

Pioneer Heliport, AK
    (Lat. 70[deg]24'51'' N., long. 150[deg]01'07'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6-mile radius of the Pioneer Heliport, AK; and that 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 
73-mile radius of the Pioneer Heliport, AK.

    Issued in Anchorage, AK, on May 26, 2010.
Michael A. Tarr,
Acting Manager, Alaska Flight Services Information Area Group.
[FR Doc. 2010-13545 Filed 6-8-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

