Proposed Rule2026-09224

Establishment of Canadian Area Navigation Route Q-855 and Revocation of Jet Route J-549 in the Vicinity of Williston, North Dakota

Primary source

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Published
May 8, 2026

Issuing agencies

Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration

Abstract

This action proposes to establish Canadian Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-855 and revoke Jet Route J-549 in the vicinity of Williston, North Dakota. The FAA is proposing these actions to provide enroute continuity with NAV Canada's ongoing route structure modernization efforts.

Full Text

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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 89 (Friday, May 8, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25155-25156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09224]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 89 / Friday, May 8, 2026 / Proposed 
Rules

[[Page 25155]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2026-4788; Airspace Docket No. 25-ANM-167]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Canadian Area Navigation Route Q-855 and 
Revocation of Jet Route J-549 in the Vicinity of Williston, North 
Dakota

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Canadian Area Navigation 
(RNAV) Route Q-855 and revoke Jet Route J-549 in the vicinity of 
Williston, North Dakota. The FAA is proposing these actions to provide 
enroute continuity with NAV Canada's ongoing route structure 
modernization efforts.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 22, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2026-4788 and 
Airspace Docket No. 25-ANM-167 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; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W58-213, West Building, 
5th Floor, Washington, DC 20590.
    * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in 
Room W58-213 of the West Building, 5th Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590 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 W58-213 of 
the West Building, 5th 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 7400.11K, 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, 
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Roff, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 amend the airway structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System.

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 operations). An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the office of the Western Service Center, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198.

Incorporation by Reference

    Canadian Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 2007 and 
Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004 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

[[Page 25156]]

current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11K, dated August 4, 
2025, and effective September 15, 2025. These updates would be 
published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 
7400.11K, which lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air 
traffic service routes, and reporting points, is publicly available as 
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.

Background

    The proposed actions are necessary to accommodate Nav Canada's 
multi-year ongoing NAVAID Modernization Plan (NMP), which reduces 
reliance upon ground-based navigation aids (NAVAIDs) and transitions to 
a more efficient and cost-effective system using satellite/Performance 
Based Navigation (PBN). This shift away from ground-based NAVAIDs 
impacts the existing cross-border U.S. Federal Airway structure, and 
the FAA is proposing these actions to provide enroute continuity with 
NAV Canada's ongoing route structure modernization efforts.
    Q-855 would replace J-549, which is currently NOTAM'd out of 
service due to the decommissioning of the Brandon, MB, Canada, Very 
High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR). Q-855 would connect with 
NAV Canada's existing Q-855 at the new JARLY, ND, Waypoint (WP) located 
on the U.S./Canadian border. The current computer navigation fix, 
CFGMH, would also be removed from the database.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to establish 
Canadian (RNAV) Route Q-855 and revoke Jet Route J-549 in the vicinity 
of Williston, North Dakota.
    Q-855: Q-855 would extend between the Williston, ND, VOR/Distance 
Measuring Equipment (DME) and the Jarly, ND, WP.
    J-549: J-549 currently extends between the Williston, ND, VOR/DME 
and the Brandon, MB, Canada, VOR. The FAA is proposing to revoke J-549 
in its entirety.

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 
Order 2100.6B, ``Rulemaking and Guidance Procedure'' (March 10, 2025); 
and (3) is expected to result in, at most, de minimis costs from 
compliance with applicable operating requirements or minor flight 
rerouting for operators choosing to navigate around the controlled 
airspace. Since these proposed amendments are routine and the expected 
impact to operators is de minimis, the FAA certifies 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 1050.1G, ``FAA National Environmental Policy 
Act Implementing 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 
7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 4, 
2025, and effective September 15, 2025, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2007 Canadian Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-855 Williston, ND (ISN) TO JARLY, ND [NEW]
 
Williston, ND (ISN)          VOR/DME            (Lat. 48[deg]15'12.29'' N, long. 103[deg]45'02.38'' W)
JARLY, ND                    WP                 (Lat. 48[deg]59'56.23'' N, long. 102[deg]06'21.90'' W)
 

* * * * *

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-549 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2026.
Alex W. Nelson,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2026-09224 Filed 5-7-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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