[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41265-41266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20293]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 94-ASW-8]
RIN 2120-AA66


Alteration of Jet Route

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule extends Jet Route 231 (J-231) from the St. Johns, 
AZ, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation 
(VORTAC) west to the Twentynine Palms, CA, VORTAC. This action enhances 
air safety, simplifies routings, and reduces controller workload.

DATE: Effective 0901 UTC, November 6, 1997.

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.

[[Page 41266]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On October 11, 1994, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to realign J-10 and 
extend J-231 (59 FR 51394). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. No comments objecting to the proposal were 
received. The J-231 extension is adopted.
    Prior to establishing or altering any airway, the FAA conducts an 
in-flight aeronautical evaluation (flight check) to ensure that each 
segment of the proposed airway meets certain navigational and safety 
design criteria. A flight check of J-10, as proposed, revealed that the 
realigned airway would not meet FAA design criteria. The FAA will, 
therefore, not adopt the proposed realignment of J-10.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order 7400.9D, 
dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 1996, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet route listed in this 
document will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to Part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 71) extends J-231 from the St. Johns, AZ, VORTAC west to the 
Twentynine Palms, CA, VORTAC. The extension of J-231 will provide 
simplified routing for aircraft overflying the St. Johns, AZ, VORTAC 
destined for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). It will reduce 
sector complexity northeast of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International 
Airport (PHX) by increasing lateral separation between PHX arrivals and 
LAX arrivals, resulting in increased maneuvering airspace for 
sequencing PHX arrivals. This action enhances air safety and reduces 
controller workload.
    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).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 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 2004--Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-231  [Revised]

    From Twentynine Palms, CA; INT Twentynine Palms 075 deg. and 
Drake, AZ, 262 deg. radials; Drake; INT Drake 111 deg. and St. 
Johns, AZ, 268 deg. radials; St. Johns; Anton Chico, NM; to Liberal, 
KS.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 21, 1997.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 97-20293 Filed 7-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P