Proposed Rule2023-21897
Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Eastern 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
October 4, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend two United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Q-routes in the eastern United States. This action supports the Little Rock, AR (LIT), Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) Relocation Project, and NextGen which provides a modern RNAV route structure to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68514-68516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21897]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1830; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-06]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Eastern
United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend two United States Area
Navigation (RNAV) Q-routes in the eastern United States. This action
supports the Little Rock, AR (LIT), Very High Frequency Omnidirectional
Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) Relocation Project, and NextGen
which provides a modern RNAV route structure to improve the efficiency
of the National Airspace System (NAS).
DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 20, 2023
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-1830 and
Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-06 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.
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 7400.11H, 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: Brian Vidis, 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 amends the route structure to maintain the 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, 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.
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>.
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
[[Page 68515]]
operations). An informal docket may also be examined during normal
business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal
Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park,
GA 30337.
Incorporation by Reference
United States Area Navigation 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 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective
September 15, 2023. 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 7400.11H lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas,
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.
Background
This action is proposed due to the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC
relocation project. The Little Rock VORTAC is planned to be relocated
approximately nine miles north of its current location. The LITTR, AR,
Waypoint (WP) is an already established waypoint located approximately
60.3 feet northeast of the Little Rock VORTAC's current location.
Replacing Little Rock VORTAC with the LITTR, WP on Q-33 and Q-66 would
allow for greater connectivity to the existing RNAV route structure
that already merges at the LITTR, WP.
Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) requested Q-33
extend south from DHART, AR, Fix to the Humble, TX (IAH), VORTAC. This
route segment would overlay a portion of J-180. This proposed amended
route segment would allow for greater connectivity to the existing RNAV
route structure and procedures in the Houston, TX area.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend RNAV
routes Q-33, and Q-66 to support the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC
Relocation Project, the FAA's NextGen program, which provides a modern
RNAV route structure to improve the efficiency of the NAS, and to
remove route points that are not required in the route descriptions.
Q-33: Q-33 currently extends between the DHART, AR, Fix to the
PROWL, MO, WP. This action proposes to extend the route to the south to
overlay a portion of jet route J-180 from the DHART, AR, Fix to the
Humble, TX (IAH), VORTAC. This action also proposes to replace the
Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC with the LITTR, AR, WP which located 60.3
feet northeast of Little Rock VORTAC's current location.
Q-66: Q-66 currently extends between the Little Rock, AR (LIT),
VORTAC and the ALEAN, VA, WP. This action proposes to replace the
Little Rock VORTAC with the LITTR, AR, WP which is located 60.3 feet
northeast of Little Rock VORTAC's current location. This action also
proposes to remove route points from the route description which
constitute a turn of one degree or less. The FAA proposes to remove the
following route points: CIVKI, AR, WP; RICKX, AR, WP; TROVE, TN, WP;
BAZOO, TN, WP; and MXEEN, TN, WP
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:
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
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11,
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
Q-33 Humble, TX (IAH) to PROWL, MO [Amended]
Humble, TX (IAH) VORTAC (Lat. 29[deg]57'24.90'' N, long. 095[deg]20'44.59'' W)
Daisetta, TX (DAS) VORTAC (Lat. 30[deg]11'22.96'' N, long. 094[deg]38'41.94'' W)
Sawmill, LA (SWB) VOR/DME (Lat. 31[deg]58'23.50'' N, long. 092[deg]40'37.52'' W)
LITTR, AR WP (Lat. 34[deg]40'39.90'' N, long. 092[deg]10'49.26'' W)
PROWL, MO WP (Lat. 37[deg]02'00.00'' N, long. 091[deg]15'00.00'' W)
* * * * * * *
Q-66 LITTR, AR to ALEAN, VA [Amended]
LITTR, AR WP (Lat. 34[deg]40'39.90'' N, long. 092[deg]10'49.26'' W)
METWO, TN WP (Lat. 36[deg]04'22.44'' N, long. 085[deg]18'38.04'' W)
ALEAN, VA WP (Lat. 36[deg]43'54.67'' N, long. 081[deg]37'26.18'' W)
[[Page 68516]]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2023.
Karen L. Chiodini,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2023-21897 Filed 10-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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