[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30380-30381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14881]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-ASO-28]
RIN 2120-AA66


Realignment of Jet Route J-66; Tennessee

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action realigns Jet Route 66 (J-66) in the State of 
Tennessee. Realigning J-66 is necessary because the route is aligned on 
a radial of the Memphis Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and that VORTAC will be moved south of 
its present position. This action will ensure that air traffic 
operations along the jet route are not interrupted by the relocation of 
the navigational aid. This action coincides with the relocation of the 
Memphis VORTAC.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, August 13, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before July 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, ASO-500, Docket No. 97-ASO-28, Federal Aviation 
Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, GA 30320. Comments may be also 
sent electronically to the following Internet address: 9-Direct Rule-
C[email protected]. Comments delivered must be marked Airspace Docket 
No. 97-ASO-28.
    The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of 
the Chief Counsel, Room 916G, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia P. Crawford, 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:

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 to modify J-66 in the State of 
Tennessee. Realigning J-66 will ensure that air traffic operations are 
not interrupted by virtue of relocating the Memphis VORTAC. The 
effective date of this direct final rule coincides with the effective 
date of relocation of the Memphis VORTAC.

Incorporation by Reference

    Jet route designations are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order 
7400.9E, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 1997, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet route 
designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order.

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

    The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
or negative comment and therefore is issuing it as a direct final rule. 
Effective August 13, 1998, the FAA will relocate the Memphis, TN, 
VORTAC. Currently, J-66 is aligned on a radial of the Memphis VORTAC. 
The Memphis VORTAC is scheduled to be relocated 2.85 miles south of its 
present position; therefore, realigning J-66 is necessary to ensure 
that air traffic operations are not interrupted. The jet route will be 
realigned with the Memphis VORTAC at the new location. Unless a written 
adverse or negative comment, or a written notice of intent to submit an 
adverse or negative comment is received within the comment period, the 
regulation will become effective on the date specified above. After the 
close of the comment period, the FAA will publish a document in the 
Federal Register indicating that no adverse or negative comments were 
received and confirming the date on which the direct final rule will 
become effective. If the FAA does receive, within the comment

[[Page 30381]]

period, an adverse or negative comment, or written notice of intent to 
submit an adverse or negative comment, a document withdrawing the 
direct final rule will be published in the Federal Register, and a 
notice of proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment 
period.

Agency Findings

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is not controversial 
and unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments and only 
involves an established body of technical regulations that require 
frequent and routine amendments to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this regulation (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) as the anticipated impact of this proposal is minimal, 
preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation is not necessary.
    Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic 
procedures and air navigation, the FAA certifies that this proposed 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a direct final rule and was 
not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited 
on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the specified closing date for 
comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn 
in light of comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action may be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of 
the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments 
submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for 
comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A 
report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the 
substance of this action will be filed in the Rules Docket. Commenters 
wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in 
response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on 
which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket 
No. 97-ASO-28.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the 
commenter.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 14 CFR 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. Amend paragraph 2004 of the Federal Aviation Administration 
Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated 
September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 1997, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1, as follows:

Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-66  [Revised]

    From Newman, TX; via Big Spring, TX; Abilene, TX; Ranger, TX; 
Bonham, TX; Little Rock, AR; Memphis, TN; INT Memphis 100 deg. and 
Rome, GA 284 deg. radials; to Rome.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 28, 1998.
John S. Walker,
Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 98-14881 Filed 6-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P