Establishment of Class E Airspace; Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

This action establishes Class E airspace over the Yukon- Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta area in southwest Alaska in support of the Capstone Research and Development (R&D) project. Specifically, this action establishes controlled airspace extending from 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL) upwards to the base of the existing Class E airspace of 14,500 feet above mean sea level (MSL) within an area bounded by lat. 58 deg.25'36" N long. 158 deg.00'W, to lat. 57 deg.50' N long. 158 deg.00' W, to lat. 57 deg.50' N long. 156 deg.00' W, to lat. 64 deg.00' N long. 156 deg.00' W, to lat. 64 deg.00' N long. 161 deg.41' 24" W, then via the 12 nautical mile limit to the point of beginning. This rule will (1) provide adequate controlled airspace for commercial air carriers conducting Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations over southwest Alaska and (2) validate new operational procedures and equipment in the IFR environment.