[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45591-45593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22974]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-ASW-4]


Proposed Realignment of Jet Routes; Texas

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: This notice proposes to realign 14 jet routes located in the 
Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW), TX, area. These proposed realignments would 
remove all high altitude navigation routes from the DFW Very High 
Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and 
realign them to existing navigational aids (NAVAIDs) located in the DFW 
area. This proposal is a portion of a master plan to relocate the DFW 
VORTAC 3/4 nautical miles (NM) to the west of its current position and 
to provide more NAVAID capacity for airport traffic use by eliminating 
the high altitude en route traffic service. Additionally, Jet Route J-
66 will be further realigned west of the DFW area to include the Big 
Springs, TX, VORTAC as part of its route structure. This realignment 
would allow pilots to fly at lower minimum enroute altitudes (MEA) 
between the Newman, TX, and Abilene, TX, VORTACs.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 15, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, ASW-500, Docket No. 97-ASW-4, 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, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham Blvd; Fort Worth, TX 76193-0500.

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. 97-
ASW-4.'' 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 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(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

[[Page 45592]]

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 realign 14 jet routes located 
in the DFW area. These proposed realignments will remove all high 
altitude navigation routes from the DFW VORTAC. Ten of the jet routes 
will use the Ranger, TX, VORTAC, which is located approximately 8 NM to 
the west. One jet route will use the Cowboy, TX, Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME), which is 
located approximately 6.5 NM to the east. Two jet routes will terminate 
at the Wichita Falls, TX, VORTAC rather than continue to the DFW area. 
These particular two jet routes originally terminated at the DFW 
VORTAC. The remaining jet route bypasses DFW altogether by proceeding 
direct from the Ardmore, OK, VORTAC to the Texarkana, AR, VORTAC. The 
DFW VORTAC will no longer service high altitude en route traffic, 
thereby increasing NAVAID capacity for DFW International Airport 
traffic area use.
    Additionally, Jet Route J-66 will be further realigned west of the 
DFW area to include the Big Springs, TX, VORTAC as part of its route 
structure. This realignment would allow pilots to fly at lower minimum 
enroute altitudes (MEA) on J-66 between the Newman, TX, and Abilene, 
TX, VORTACs.
    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 routes listed in this 
document would be published subsequently in the Order.
    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--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND 
CLASS E, AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

    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.


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-4  [Revised]

    From Los Angeles, CA, via INT Los Angeles 083 deg. and 
Twentynine Palms, CA, 269 deg. radials; Twentynine Palms; Parker, 
CA; Buckeye, AZ; San Simon, AZ; Newman, TX; Wink, TX; Abilene, TX; 
Ranger, TX; Belcher, LA; Jackson, MS; Meridian, MS; Montgomery, AL; 
INT Montgomery 051 deg. and Colliers, SC, 268 deg. radials; 
Colliers; Columbia, SC; Florence, SC; to Wilmington, NC.
* * * * *

J-21  [Revised]

    From the INT of the United States/Mexican Border and the Laredo, 
TX, 172 deg. radial via Laredo; San Antonio, TX; Austin, TX; Waco, 
TX; Ranger, TX; Ardmore, OK; Will Rogers, OK; Wichita, KS; Omaha, 
NE; Gopher, MN; to Duluth, MN.
* * * * *

J-25  [Revised]

    From Matamoras, Mexico, via Brownsville, TX; INT of the 
Brownsville 358 deg. and the Corpus Christi, TX, 178 deg. radials; 
Corpus Christi; INT of the Corpus Christi 311 deg. and the San 
Antonio, TX, 167 deg. radials; San Antonio; Austin, TX; Waco, TX; 
Ranger, TX; Tulsa, OK; Kansas City, MO; Des Moines, IA; Mason City, 
IA; Gopher, MN; Brainerd, MN; to Winnipeg, MB, Canada. The airspace 
within Canada is excluded. The airspace within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *

J-33  [Revised]

    From Humble, TX, via INT Humble 349 deg. and Ranger, TX, 
135 deg.T(129 deg.M) radials; to Ranger.
* * * * *

J-42  [Revised]

    From Delicias, Mexico, via Fort Stockton, TX; Abilene, TX; 
Ranger, TX; Texarkana, AR; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; Beckley, WV; 
Montebello, VA; Gordonsville, VA; Nottingham, MD; INT Nottingham 
061 deg. and Woodstown, NJ, 225 deg. radials; Woodstown; 
Robbinsville, NJ; LaGuardia, NY; INT LaGuardia 042 deg. and 
Hartford, CT, 236 deg. radials; Hartford; Putman, CT; Boston, MA. 
The portion of this route outside of the United States is excluded.
* * * * *

J-52  [Revised]

    From Vancouver, BC, Canada; via Spokane, WA; Salmon, ID; Dubois, 
ID; Rock Springs, WY; Falcon, CO; Hugo, CO; Lamar, CO; Liberal, KS; 
INT Liberal 137 deg. and Ardmore, OK, 309 deg. radials; Ardmore; 
Texarkana, AR; Sidon, MS; Bigbee, MS; Vulcan, AL; Atlanta, GA; 
Colliers, SC; Columbia, SC; Raleigh-Durham, NC; to Richmond, VA. The 
portion within Canada is excluded.
* * * * *

J-58  [Revised]

    From Oakland, CA, via Manteca, CA; Coaldale, NV; Wilson Creek, 
NV; Milford, UT; Farmington, NM; Las Vegas, NM; Amarillo, TX; 
Wichita Falls, TX; Ranger, TX; Alexandria, LA; Harvey, LA; INT of 
Grand Isle, LA, 105 deg. and Crestview, FL, 201 deg. radials; INT of 
Grand Isle 105 deg. and Sarasota, FL, 286 deg. radials; Sarasota; 
Lee County, FL; to the INT Lee County 120 deg. and Dolphin, FL, 
293 deg. radials; Dolphin.
* * * * *

J-66  [Revised]

    From Newman, TX; via Big Spring, TX; Abilene, TX; Ranger, TX; 
Bonham, TX; Little Rock, AR; Memphis, TN; to Rome, GA.
* * * * *

J-72  [Revised]

    From Boulder City, NV, via Peach Springs, AZ; Gallup, NM; 
Albuquerque NM; Texico, NM; to Wichita Falls, TX.
* * * * *

J-76  [Revised]

    From Las Vegas, NV, via INT Las Vegas 090 deg. and Tuba City, 
AZ, 268 deg. radials; Tuba City; Las Vegas, NM; Tucumcari, NM; to 
Wichita Falls, TX.
* * * * *

J-87  [Revised]

    From Humble, TX, via Navasota, TX; INT of Navasota 
342 deg.T(336 deg.M) and Cowboy, TX, 166 deg.T(160 deg.M) radials; 
Cowboy; Tulsa, OK; Butler, MO; Kirksville, MO; Moline, IL; Joliet, 
IL; to Northbrook, IL.
* * * * *

[[Page 45593]]

J-105  [Revised]

    From Ranger, TX; via McAlester, OK; Razorback, AR; Springfield, 
MO; Bradford, IL; to Badger, WI.
* * * * *

J-131  [Revised]

    From San Antonio, TX, via INT San Antonio 007 deg. and Ranger, 
TX, 214 deg.T (208 deg.M) radials; Ranger; Texarkana, AR; Little 
Rock, AR; to Pocket City, IN.
* * * * *

J-181  [Revised]

    From Ranger, TX; Okmulgee, OK; Neosho, MO; INT Neosho 049 deg. 
and Bradford, IL, 219 deg. radials; to Bradford.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 21, 1997.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 97-22974 Filed 8-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P