[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 119 (Friday, June 20, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33579-33580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16221]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-AWP-17]


Proposed Establishment of VOR Federal Airway; CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to establish a Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway 607 (V-607) to be located in 
the Mendocino, CA, area. This proposal would provide an airway between 
Mendocino and Arcata, CA. The proposed airway is necessary to 
efficiently manage air traffic operations during those periods when 
nonradar procedures are in use.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 5, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, AWP-500, Docket No. 97-AWP-17, Federal Aviation 
Administration, P. O. Box 92007, Worldway Postal Center, Los Angeles, 
CA 90009.
    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: Ken McElroy, 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

[[Page 33580]]

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. 97-
AWP-17.'' 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, which describes the application 
procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to establish V-607 to be located 
in the Mendocino, CA, area to efficiently manage air traffic operations 
during those periods when nonradar procedures are in use. This proposal 
would provide an airway between Mendocino and Arcata, CA.
    Approximately 25 to 30 air carrier and general aviation flights per 
day currently fly a direct route, which coincides with the proposed 
airway. During nonradar operations, however, all north/south traffic is 
forced onto V-27 and over the Fortuna Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC). This causes 
delays to, and conflicts with, departure aircraft that would not be 
necessary with the proposed airway. Currently, the only alternative to 
V-27 is V-494; however, V-494 has a 13,000-foot mean sea level minimum 
en route altitude, and an over water segment which renders V-494 
unsuitable for a large number of general aviation aircraft. Another 
problem arises whenever the Fortuna VORTAC is out of service; at such 
times, both V-27 and V-494 cease to exist. This proposed action would 
provide controllers and pilots with an alternative to V-27 and 
facilitate air traffic operations.
    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 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-607 [New]

    From Mendocino, CA; INT Mendocino 346 deg. and Arcata, CA, 
156 deg. radials; Arcata.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 10, 1997.
Nancy B. Kalinowski,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 97-16221 Filed 6-19-97; 8:45 am]
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