Proposed Rule2026-10348
Amendment of United States Area Navigation Route T-306 and Establishment of United States Area Navigation Route T-647
Primary source
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Published
May 22, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation Route (RNAV) Route T-306 and the establishment of RNAV Route T-647 in the Southwestern United States. The FAA is proposing to amend T-306 by revoking the portion of the route extending between Blythe, CA, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and El Paso, TX, VORTAC. FAA is also proposing to amend T-306 by extending the route between Blythe VORTAC and HUPUP, AZ, Waypoint (WP). FAA is proposing these actions to relieve areas where there are high traffic volumes of Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft that often result in conflict alerts and pilot deviations.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 99 (Friday, May 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 99 (Friday, May 22, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30261-30264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10348]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2026-5746; Airspace Docket No. 25-AWP-154]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of United States Area Navigation Route T-306 and
Establishment of United States Area Navigation Route T-647
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
[[Page 30262]]
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation
Route (RNAV) Route T-306 and the establishment of RNAV Route T-647 in
the Southwestern United States. The FAA is proposing to amend T-306 by
revoking the portion of the route extending between Blythe, CA, Very
High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC)
and El Paso, TX, VORTAC. FAA is also proposing to amend T-306 by
extending the route between Blythe VORTAC and HUPUP, AZ, Waypoint (WP).
FAA is proposing these actions to relieve areas where there are high
traffic volumes of Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft and Instrument
Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft that often result in conflict alerts and
pilot deviations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 6, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2026-5746 and
Airspace Docket No. 25-AWP-154 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 W58-213 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 7400.11K, 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, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ashley Toth, Rules and Regulations
Group, Policy Directorate, 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 Operations Support Group,
Central Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
Incorporation by Reference
United States RNAV Routes are published in paragraph 6011 and Very
High Frequency Omni-Directional Range (VOR) Federal Airways are
published in paragraph 6010 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 7400.11K, 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 amendment to RNAV Route T-306 and the establishment of RNAV
Route T-647 are proposed to alleviate areas where there are high
traffic volumes of VFR aircraft and IFR aircraft that often result in
conflict alerts and pilot deviations.
The amendment of RNAV Route T-306 will result in the removal of the
route portion extending between Blythe, CA, VORTAC and El Paso, TX,
VORTAC. After Blythe, CA, VORTAC on RNAV Route T-306, there will be the
addition of SEAFM, AZ, WP, MSQET, AZ WP, and the route will terminate
at HUPUP, AZ, WP. The amendment of
[[Page 30263]]
RNAV Route T-306 routes air traffic to the west of the Phoenix, AZ
(PHX) Class B airspace.
FAA is proposing to establish RNAV Route T-647 to provide air
traffic a route between El Paso, TX, VORTAC and the Drake, AZ, VORTAC.
This route will circumnavigate VOR Federal Airway V-105. The
circumnavigation will occur between Stanfield, AZ, VOR (TFD) and west
of Buckeye, AZ, VOR (BXK) to redirect IFR aircraft on V-105 and V-16.
V-105 is the primary low altitude airway used by most general aviation
aircraft to and from southern Arizona. Between TFD VOR and Phoenix
(PXR) VORTAC, there are two flight training practice areas and a
published hold over the TFD VOR from the surface through 8,000 MSL.
This has led to numerous conflict alerts and pilot deviations with IFR
aircraft. RNAV Route T-647 will redirect the IFR aircraft away from the
published hold and bypass the PXR VORTAC to join V-16 west of BXK VOR.
V-16 extends between PXR VOR and BXK VOR and is the primary airway for
low altitude, general aviation aircraft to proceed from the Phoenix
metropolitan area to most airports west, including the Los Angeles area
airports.
RNAV Route T-647 from ELP VORTAC to Northern Arizona will be
utilized to bypass V-105 which currently connects PXR VOR and DRK VOR.
Currently, aircraft are restricted to low altitudes to deconflict with
Phoenix Sky Harbor arrivals and departures while on V-105. In addition,
there are radio limitations on V-105 that inhibit air traffic
controllers' ability to issue safety alerts and other pertinent
information. RNAV Route T-647 will replace the RNAV Route T-306 between
ELP VORTAC and TUS VORTAC. RNAV Route T-647 will continue from TUS
VORTAC to reduce conflicts along V-105 and offers increased radio
reception for air traffic control. RNAV Route T-647 will provide
vertical and lateral separation from the PHX and satellite airport
arrivals.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend RNAV
Route T-306 and to establish RNAV Route T-647 in the Southwestern
United States.
T-306: T-306 currently extends between Los Angeles, CA, VORTAC and
the El Paso VORTAC. The FAA is proposing to revoke the portion of the
route extending between the Blythe VORTAC and the El Paso VORTAC. The
FAA is also proposing to amend T-306 by extending the route between
Blythe VORTAC and HUPUP WP.
T-647: T-647 is a new route that the FAA proposes to establish that
would extend between the El Paso VORTAC and the Drake VORTAC.
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 established as follows:
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-306 Los Angeles, CA (LAX) to HUPUP, AZ [Amended]
Los Angeles, CA (LAX) VORTAC (Lat. 33[deg]55'59.34'' N, long. 118[deg]25'55.25'' W)
Paradise, CA (PDZ) VORTAC (Lat. 33[deg]55'06.01'' N, long. 117[deg]31'47.99'' W)
Palm Springs, CA (PSP) VORTAC (Lat. 33[deg]52'12.05'' N, long. 116[deg]25'47.18'' W)
Blythe, CA (BLH) VORTAC (Lat. 33[deg]35'45.83'' N, long. 114[deg]45'40.58'' W)
SEAFM, AZ WP (Lat. 33[deg]26'55.64'' N, long. 112[deg]53'40.45'' W)
MSQET, AZ WP (Lat. 33[deg]14'41.66'' N, long. 112[deg]45'41.69'' W)
HUPUP, AZ WP (Lat. 33[deg]11'04.28'' N, long. 112[deg]19'40.66'' W)
* * * * *
T-647 El Paso, TX (ELP) to Drake, AZ (DRK) [New]
El Paso, TX (ELP) VORTAC (Lat. 31[deg]48'57.28'' N, long. 106[deg]16'54.78'' W)
Columbus, NM (CUS) VOR/DME (Lat. 31[deg]49'08.76'' N, long. 107[deg]34'28.18'' W)
NOCHI, AZ WP (Lat. 32[deg]02'00.20'' N, long. 109[deg]45'29.53'' W)
Tucson, AZ (TUS) VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]05'42.73'' N, long. 110[deg]54'53.48'' W)
TORTS, AZ Fix (Lat. 32[deg]13'51.27'' N, long. 111[deg]11'11.95'' W)
ZEKAP, AZ Fix (Lat. 32[deg]19'41.24'' N, long. 111[deg]23'30.55'' W)
ALMON, AZ Fix (Lat. 32[deg]23'00.78'' N, long. 111[deg]29'41.13'' W)
FOUTZ, AZ Fix (Lat. 32[deg]28'56.92'' N, long. 111[deg]41'45.43'' W)
PEARR, AZ WP (Lat. 32[deg]53'41.37'' N, long. 111[deg]59'19.10'' W)
PRKLY, AZ WP (Lat. 33[deg]09'14.59'' N, long. 112[deg]01'02.67'' W)
RCDIA, AZ WP (Lat. 33[deg]34'57.73'' N, long. 112[deg]00'28.93'' W)
CVCRK, AZ WP (Lat. 33[deg]45'44.60'' N, long. 112[deg]01'34.42'' W)
[[Page 30264]]
RDROK, AZ WP (Lat. 34[deg]05'33.08'' N, long. 111[deg]56'09.42'' W)
VRTEX, AZ WP (Lat. 34[deg]27'21.76'' N, long. 111[deg]57'18.46'' W)
Drake, AZ (DRK) VORTAC (Lat. 34[deg]42'09.19'' N, long. 112[deg]28'49.23'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 20, 2026.
Alex W. Nelson,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2026-10348 Filed 5-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 22, 2026.
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