Proposed Rule2023-05655
Revocation of Jet Route J-184 and Establishment of Area Navigation Route Q-180; Southwest United States
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 23, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to revoke Jet Route J-184 and establish Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-180 in the southwest United States. The existing Jet Route has service limitations associated with signal coverage related issues. The new RNAV route would replace the Jet Route, as well as provide additional RNAV routing within the National Airspace System (NAS) in support of transitioning it from a ground- based to satellite-based navigation system.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 56 (Thursday, March 23, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 56 (Thursday, March 23, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17437-17439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05655]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0721; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASW-16]
RIN 2120-AA66
Revocation of Jet Route J-184 and Establishment of Area
Navigation Route Q-180; Southwest United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to revoke Jet Route J-184 and establish
Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-180 in the southwest United States. The
existing Jet Route has service limitations associated with signal
coverage related issues. The new RNAV route would replace the Jet
Route, as well as provide additional RNAV routing within the National
Airspace System (NAS) in support of transitioning it from a ground-
based to satellite-based navigation system.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 8, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-0721 and
Airspace Docket No. 22-ASW-16 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and follow
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
* Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
* Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
<a href="http://www.dot.gov/privacy">www.dot.gov/privacy</a>.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> at any time. Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at <a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/</a>. You may also contact the Rules and
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration,
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, 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 I, Section 40103. Under that section,
the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of
the 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 would modify the enroute structure as necessary to
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental,
[[Page 17438]]
and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for
any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the
docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should submit
only one time if comments are filed electronically, or commenters
should send only one copy of written comments if comments are filed in
writing.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light
of the comments it receives.
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at
<a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/</a>.
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during
normal business hours at the office of the Operations Support Group,
Central Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
Incorporation by Reference
Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004 and United States Area
Navigation Routes (Q-routes) are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA
Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This
document proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order
JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022.
These updates would be published in the next update to FAA Order JO
7400.11. That order is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES
section of this document.
FAA Order JO 7400.11G lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas,
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.
Background
To support of the large amount of air traffic transiting the NAS
between the west coast and the southeast United States, the FAA
requires aircraft flying between the Phoenix, AZ, area and West Texas
area to be on Jet Routes, including J-184, when flying above 18,000
feet mean sea level (MSL) or Flight Level 180 (FL180). This requirement
ensures a safe, efficient flow of air traffic through the area,
prevents air traffic bottlenecks, and keeps aircraft clear of the Air
Traffic Control Airspace Areas (ATCAA), the White Sands Missile Range
(WSMR), and the R-5107 restricted areas located south of WSMR that
exist in the area.
During a periodic flight inspection of the Deming, NM, Very High
Frequency (VHF) Omni-Directional Range (VOR)/Tactical Air Navigation
(VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID) conducted June 3-4, 2021, the FAA
identified the Deming VORTAC 274[deg] radial was out of tolerance and
not available for navigational purposes on Jet Route J-184. As a result
of the out of tolerance signal coverage finding, the FAA published a
Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) indicating that the segment of J-184
from the Deming VORTAC 274[deg] radial to the Buckeye, AZ, VORTAC was
not available except to aircraft equipped with a suitable Area
Navigation (RNAV) system with Global Positioning Service (GPS)
capability. The FAA has been unable to overcome the Deming VORTAC
274[deg] radial signal coverage issue since it was identified. The
NOTAM requiring aircraft flying J-184 between the Deming and Buckeye
VORTACs to be RNAV GPS equipped has remained in effect.
To address the requirement for aircraft flying J-184 between the
Deming and Buckeye VORTACs to be RNAV GPS equipped, the FAA is planning
to replace J-184 with a new RNAV route, Q-180, that would overlay the
J-184 route of flight. The new Q-route would extend between the
Buckeye, AZ, VORTAC located west of Phoenix, AZ, and the Newman, TX,
VORTAC located in West Texas. The new Q-180 would mitigate the Deming
VORTAC signal coverage issue, enable removal of the NOTAM requiring
RNAV GPS equipage on J-184, and continue supporting the safe, efficient
flow of air traffic equipped with RNAV capabilities between the Phoenix
area and the West Texas area. Lastly, the new Q-route would support the
FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to
modernize the NAS navigation system from ground-based to satellite-
based.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to revoke Jet
Route J-184 and establish RNAV route Q-180 due to service limitations
associated with signal coverage related issues on J-184. The proposed
Air Traffic Service (ATS) route actions are described below.
J-184: J-184 currently extends between the Buckeye, AZ, VORTAC and
the Newman, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the route in its
entirety.
Q-180: Q-180 is a new RNAV route that would extend between the
Buckeye, AZ, VORTAC and the Newman, TX, VORTAC NAVAIDs. This new Q-
route would provide RNAV routing along the same route of flight as Jet
Route J-184 and would retain flight safety and NAS efficiency for
aircraft transiting between the Phoenix, AZ, and El Paso, TX, areas.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this proposed 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 proposed 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.
Environmental Review
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
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:
[[Page 17439]]
PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE 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(f), 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 FAA Order JO
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19,
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-184 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
Q-180 Buckeye, AZ (BXK) to Newman, TX (EWM) [New]
Buckeye, AZ (BXK) VORTAC (Lat. 33[deg]27'12.45'' N, long. 112[deg]49'28.54'' W)
WOBUG, NM FIX (Lat. 32[deg]35'24.04'' N, long. 108[deg]53'44.19'' W)
Deming, NM (DMN) VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]16'31.99'' N, long. 107[deg]36'19.80'' W)
Newman, TX (EWM) VORTAC (Lat. 31[deg]57'06.43'' N, long. 106[deg]16'20.85'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 15, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-05655 Filed 3-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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