[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 160 (Wednesday, August 19, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44413-44415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22257]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98-ASW-30]


Proposed Realignment of Federal Airways and Jet Routes; TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to realign six jet routes and eight 
Federal airways in the Amarillo, TX, area. The FAA is proposing this 
action due to the decommissioning of the Amarillo, TX, Very High 
Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and 
the commissioning of the Panhandle, TX, VORTAC, which will be located 
approximately 4.3 nautical miles (NM) to the southwest of the present 
location of the Amarillo VORTAC. This proposal would realign the 
affected jet routes and Federal airways from the Amarillo VORTAC to the 
Panhandle VORTAC. The FAA is taking this action to more effectively 
manage air traffic in the Amarillo, TX, area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal in triplicate to: Manager, 
Air Traffic Division, ASW-500, Docket No. 98-ASW-30, 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: Sheri Edgett Baron, 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. 98-
ASW-30.'' 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)

[[Page 44414]]

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.

Background

    As part of a plan to more effectively manage air traffic in the 
Amarillo, TX, area, the Amarillo VORTAC will be decommissioned and the 
Panhandle VORTAC will be commissioned. This proposal would realign 
several jet routes and Federal airways previously aligned with the 
Amarillo VORTAC to the new Panhandle VORTAC.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to realign six jet routes and 
eight Federal airways due to the decommissioning of the Amarillo 
VORTAC, and the commissioning of the Panhandle VORTAC. The Panhandle 
VORTAC will be located approximately 4.3 NM southwest of the present 
location of the Amarillo VORTAC. Specifically, J-6, J-14, J-17, J-26, 
J-58, J-78, V-12, V-81, V-114, V-140, V-280, V-304, V-402, and V-440 
would be realigned from the Amarillo VORTAC to the Panhandle VORTAC. 
The FAA is taking this action based on the results of an FAA Airspace 
Study to enhance the flow of air traffic in the Amarillo, TX, area.
    Jet routes and VOR Federal airways are published in Sections 2004 
and 6010(a), respectively, 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 routes and Federal airways 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 
Department of Transportation (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 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 
1997, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-6 [Revised]

    From Salinas, CA, via INT Salinas 145 deg. and Avenal, CA, 
292 deg. radials; Avenal; INT Avenal 119 deg. and Palmdale, CA, 
310 deg. radials; Palmdale; Hector, CA; Needles, CA; Drake, AZ; 
Zuni, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Tucumcari, NM; Panhandle, TX; Will 
Rogers, OK; Little Rock, AR; Bowling Green, KY; Charleston, WV; INT 
Charleston 076 deg. and Martinsburg, WV, 243 deg. radials; 
Martinsburg; Lancaster, PA; Broadway, NJ; Sparta, NJ; Albany, NY; to 
Plattsburg, NY.
* * * * *

J-14 [Revised]

    From Panhandle, TX; via Will Rogers, OK; Little Rock, AR; 
Vulcan, AL; to Atlanta, GA; INT Atlanta 087 deg. and Spartanburg, 
SC, 234 deg. radials; Spartanburg; Greensboro, NC; Richmond, VA; INT 
Richmond 039 deg. and Patuxent, MD, 228 deg. radials; to Patuxent.
* * * * *

J-17 [Revised]

    From San Antonio, TX; via Abilene, TX; Panhandle, TX; Tobe, CO; 
Pueblo, CO; Falcon, CO; Cheyenne, WY; to Rapid City, SD.
* * * * *

J-26 [Revised]

    From Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, via El Paso, TX; INT of El Paso 
070 deg. and Chisum, NM, 215 deg. radials; Chisum; Panhandle, TX; 
Gage, OK; Wichita, KS; Kansas City, MO; Kirksville, MO; Bradford, 
IL; to Joliet, IL. The airspace within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *
* * * * *

J-58 [Revised]

    From Oakland, CA, via Manteca, CA; Coaldale, NV; Wilson Creek, 
NV; Milford, UT; Farmington, NM; Las Vegas, NM; Panhandle, 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-78 [Revised]

    From Los Angeles, CA, via Seal Beach, CA; Thermal, CA; Parker, 
CA; Drake, AZ; Zuni, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Tucumcari, NM; Panhandle, 
TX; Will Rogers, OK; Tulsa, OK; Farmington, MO; Louisville, KY; 
Charleston, WV; Philipsburg, PA; to Milton, PA.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6010--VOR Federal Airways

* * * * *

V-12 [Revised]

    From Gaviota, CA, via San Marcus, CA; Palmdale, CA; 38 miles, 6 
miles wide, Hector, CA; 12 miles, 38 miles, 85 MSL, 14 miles, 75 
MSL, Needles, CA; 45 miles, 34 miles, 95 MSL, Drake, AZ; Winslow, 
AZ; 30 miles 85 MSL, Zuni, NM; Albuquerque, NM; Otto, NM; Anton 
Chico, NM; Tucumcari, NM; Panhandle, TX; Gage, OK; Anthony, KS; 
Wichita, KS; Emporia, KS; Napoleon, MO; INT Napoleon 095 deg. and 
Columbia, MO, 292 deg. radials; Columbia; Foristell, MO; Troy, IL; 
Bible Grove, IL; Shelbyville, IN; Richmond, IN; Dayton, OH; 
Appleton, OH, Newcomerstown, OH; Allegheny, PA; Johnstown, PA; 
Harrisburg, PA; INT Harrisburg 092 deg. and Pottstown, PA, 278 deg. 
radials; to Pottstown.
* * * * *

V-81 [Revised]

    From Chihuahua, Mexico, via Marfa, TX; Fort Stockton, TX; 
Midland, TX; Lubbock, TX; Plainview, TX; Panhandle, TX; Dalhart, TX; 
Tobe, CO; Pueblo, CO; Black Forest, CO; Jeffco, CO; Cheyenne, WY; 
Scottsbluff, NE; to Chadron, NE. The airspace outside the United 
States is excluded.
* * * * *
* * * * *

V-114 [Revised]

    From Panhandle, TX, via Childress, TX; Wichita Falls, TX; INT 
Wichita Falls 117 deg.

[[Page 44415]]

and Blue Ridge, TX, 285 deg. radials; Blue Ridge; Quitman, TX; Gregg 
County, TX; Alexandria, LA; INT Baton Rouge, LA, 307 deg. and 
Lafayette, LA, 042 deg. radials; 7 miles wide (3 miles north and 4 
miles south of centerline); Baton Rouge; INT Baton Rouge 112 deg. 
and Reserve, LA, 323 deg. radials; Reserve; INT Reserve 084 deg. and 
Gulfport, MS, 247 deg. radials; Gulfport; INT Gulfport 344 deg. and 
Eaton, MS, 171 deg. radials; to Eaton, excluding the portion within 
R-3801B and R-3801C.
* * * * *

V-140 [Revised]

    From Panhandle, TX, via Sayre, OK; Kingfisher, OK; INT 
Kingfisher 072 deg. and Tulsa, OK, 261 deg. radials; Tulsa; 
Razorback, AR; Harrison, AR, Walnut Ridge, AR; Dyersburg, TN; 
Nashville, TN; to Livingston, TN; London, KY; Hazard, KY; Bluefield, 
WV; INT of Bluefield 071 deg. and Montebello, VA, 250 deg. radials; 
Montebello; to Casanova, VA.
* * * * *

V-280 [Revised]

    From Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, via El Paso, TX; INT El Paso 
070 deg. and Pinon, NM, 219 deg. radials; Pinon; Chisum, NM; INT 
Chisum 063 deg. and Texico, NM, 218 deg. radials; Texico; Panhandle, 
TX; Gage, OK; INT Gage 025 deg. and Hutchinson, KS, 234 deg. 
radials; Hutchinson; INT Hutchinson 061 deg. and Topeka, KS, 
236 deg. radials; to Topeka. The airspace within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *

V-304 [Revised]

    From Panhandle, TX, via Borger, TX; Liberal, KS; 15 miles, 79 
miles 55 MSL, Lamar, CO.
* * * * *

V-402 [Revised]

    From Tucumcari, NM, via INT Tucumcari 101 deg. and Panhandle, TX 
250 deg.T(241 deg.M) radials; Panhandle; INT Panhandle 
070 deg.T(061 deg.M) and Gage, OK, 215 deg. radials; to Gage.
* * * * *
* * * * *

V-440 [Revised]

    From Panhandle, TX, via INT Panhandle 070 deg.T(061 deg.M) and 
Sayre, OK, 288 deg. radials; Sayre; INT Sayre 104 deg. and Will 
Rogers, OK, 248 deg. radials; to Will Rogers.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 12, 1998.
John S. Walker,
Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 98-22257 Filed 8-18-98; 8:45 am]
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