[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 68 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17135-17136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9145]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-ASW-31]


Proposed Realignment of VOR Federal Airways in the vicinity of 
Helena, AR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice proposes to realign four Federal airways located 
in the Helena, AR, area. This proposed realignment is scheduled to 
coincide with the activation of the Marvell, AR, Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) 
navigational aid (NAVAID) currently under construction. The proposed 
realignment of airspace and activation of the Marvell NAVAID would 
reroute aircraft operations around the Memphis International Airport 
Class B airspace area. Additionally, the Marvell VOR/DME would be used 
as a feeder fix into Memphis, TN, and having these airways intersect at 
Marvell would enhance aircraft routing and handling. The proposed 
action would aid flight planning, reduce en route and terminal delays, 
and enhance the management of air traffic operations in the Memphis, 
TN, Class B airspace area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, ASW-500, Docket No. 96-ASW-31, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76193-0500.
    The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of 
the Chief Counsel, Room 916, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, 
DC, weekdays, except federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Brown, Airspace and Rules 
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 
Communications should identify the airspace docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing 
the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must 
submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 96-

[[Page 17136]]

ASW-31.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter. All communications received on or before the specified 
closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on 
the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed 
in light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available 
for examination in the Rules Docket both before and after the closing 
date for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact 
with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Air Traffic Airspace 
Management, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591, or by 
calling (202) 267-8783. Communications must identify the notice number 
of this NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for 
future NPRM's should call the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-
9677, for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking Distribution System, that describes the application 
procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations part 71 (14 CFR part 71) to realign four Federal 
airways located in the Helena, AR, area. This proposed realignment will 
coincide with the activation of the Marvell VOR/DME NAVAID, which is 
currently under construction.
    Currently, four airways intersect at a noncompulsory reporting 
point named ``Walet,'' which is located within the 30-nautical-mile 
(NM) circle of the Memphis Class B airspace area. As such, all aircraft 
transiting this area between 5,000 and 10,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) 
must fly through the Memphis Class B airspace area. By realigning these 
airways to directly overfly the Marvell VOR/DME (approximately 17 NM to 
the southwest of ``Walet''), a navigable airway structure would be 
provided to en route traffic, which would not conflict with the Class B 
airspace area at Memphis. Additionally, Memphis International Airport 
plans to use Marvell VOR/DME as a feeder fix into the airport. Having 
these four airways intersect at Marvell would enhance aircraft routing 
and handling. As a result, this action would aid flight planning, 
reduce en route and terminal delays, and enhance the management of air 
traffic operations in the Memphis, TN, Class B airspace area.
    The FAA has determined that this 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 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.

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--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 14 CFR 11.69.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 
1996, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a)  Domestic VOR Federal Airways

* * * * *

V-9  [Revised]

    From Leeville, LA; McComb, MS; Jackson, MS; Sidon, MS; Marvell, 
AR; Gilmore, AR; Malden, MO; Farmington, MO; St. Louis, MO; Capital, 
IL; Pontiac, IL; INT Pontiac 343 deg. and Rockford, IL, 169 deg. 
radials; Rockford; Janesville, WI; Madison, WI; Oshkosh, WI; Green 
Bay, WI; Iron Mountain, MI; to Houghton, MI.
* * * * *

V-16  [Revised]

    From Los Angeles, CA; Paradise, CA; Palm Springs, CA; Blythe, 
CA; Buckeye, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; INT Phoenix 155 deg. and Stanfield, 
AZ, 105 deg. radials; Tucson, AZ; Cochise, AZ; Columbus, NM; El 
Paso, TX; Salt Flat, TX; Wink, TX; Wink 066 deg. and Big Spring, TX, 
260 deg. radials; Big Spring; Abilene, TX; Millsap, TX; Glen Rose, 
TX; Cedar Creek, TX; Quitman, TX; Texarkana, AR; Pine Bluff, AR; 
Marvell, AR; Holly Springs, MS; Jacks Creek, TN; Shelbyville, TN; 
Hinch Mountain, TN; Volunteer, TN; Holston Mountain, TN; Pulaski, 
VA; Roanoke, VA; Lynchburg, VA; Flat Rock, VA; Richmond, VA; INT 
Richmond 039 deg. and Patuxent, MD, 228 deg. radials; Patuxent; 
Smyrna, DE; Cedar Lake, NJ; Coyle, NJ; INT Coyle 036 deg. and 
Kennedy, NY, 209 deg. radials; Kennedy; Deer Park, NY; Calverton, 
NY; Norwich, CT; Boston, MA. The airspace within Mexico and the 
airspace below 2,000 feet MSL outside the United States is excluded. 
The airspace within Restricted Areas R-5002A, R-5002C, and R-5002D 
is excluded during their times of use. The airspace within 
Restricted Areas R-4005 and R-4006 is excluded.
* * * * *
* * * * *

V-54  [Revised]

    From Waco, TX; Cedar Creek, TX; Quitman, TX; Texarkana, AR; INT 
Texarkana 052 deg. and Little Rock, AR, 235 deg. radials; Little 
Rock; Marvell, AR; Holly Springs, MS; Muscle Shoals, AL; Rocket, AL; 
Choo Choo, GA; Harris, GA; Spartanburg, SC; Charlotte, NC; 
Sandhills, NC; INT Sandhills 146 deg. and Fayetteville, NC, 267 deg. 
radials; Fayetteville; to Kinston, NC.
* * * * *

V-397  [Revised]

    From Monroe, LA, via INT Monroe 056 deg. and Greenville, MS, 
207 deg. radials; Greenville; to Marvell, AR.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 1, 1997.
Jeff Griffith,
Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 97-9145 Filed 4-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P