[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18392-18393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9298]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98-AAL-26]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Modification and Revocation of Federal Airways; AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify five jet routes, three Very 
High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways, and one 
colored Federal airway, and to revoke one jet route, located in the 
State of Alaska (AK). The FAA is proposing this action for the 
following reasons: to realign the North Pacific (NOPAC) Air Traffic 
Service (ATS) route structure; to reflect the ADAK Nondirectional Radio 
Beacon (NDB), AK, decommissioning from the National Airspace System 
(NAS); and to resolve an aeronautical charting discrepancy. Further, 
this action would improve the management of air traffic operations in 
the State of Alaska and enhance safety.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, AAL-500, Docket No. 98-AAL-26, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, #14, Anchorage, AK 99533.
    The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of 
the Chief Counsel, Room 915, 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: Joseph C. White, 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-
AAL-26.'' 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, ATA-400, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591, or by calling (202) 267-8783. Communications must identify the 
notice number of the 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.
    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded, using a 
modem and suitable communications software, from the FAA regulations 
section of the Fedworld electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 
703-321-3339) or the Federal Register's electronic bulletin board 
service (telephone: 202-512-1661).
    Internet users may reach the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov 
or the Federal Register's web page at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/
index.html for access to recently published rulemaking documents.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 (part 71) to 
modify five jet routes, three VOR Federal airways, and one colored 
Federal airway, and to revoke one jet route.
    Specifically, jet routes J-111, J-115, J-127, J-501, J-511, VOR 
Federal airways V-319, V-453, V-456, and Colored Federal airway Green-8 
would be modified, and J-814R would be revoked. The FAA is proposing 
this action for the following reasons:
    Segments of J-111 from Anchorage to Middleton Island to the 
noncompulsory reporting point SNOUT overlap existing J-804R segments 
and are not used.
    J-115 and Colored Federal airway Green-8 use ADAK NDB which will be 
decommissioned. The new NDB on ADAK Island will be named Mount Moffett 
NDB.
    J-127, J-501, J-511, and J-814R terminate at AUGIN, MIXER, ENCOR, 
and PANTT fixes which were once part of the NOPAC ATS route structure 
and these fixes are no longer required for ATC purposes. As a result, 
the FAA is proposing to revise J-127, J-501, and J-511 to reflect this 
change in route structure, and to revoke J-814R as this route is no 
longer needed for ATC purposes.

[[Page 18393]]

    V-319, and V-453 are being amended by adding non-part 95 segments 
which provide continuity and make it easier for the pilot to plan the 
flight and file the flight plan. The conversion of these non-part 95 
segments would change uncharted nonregulatory route segments to VOR 
Federal Airway segments, thus adding to the instrument flight rules 
(IFR) airway and route infrastructure in Alaska. Also, pilots would be 
provided with minimum en route altitudes and minimum obstruction 
clearance altitudes information along the new route segments, thereby 
enhancing safety.
    V-456 would be amended to correct a discrepancy with the victor 
airway and how it is depicted on the IFR Enroute L-3/L-4 Low Altitude--
Alaska Chart and the Kodiak Aeronautical Sectional Chart. The outbound 
radial from King Salmon is 032 deg. on the sectional chart and 033 deg. 
on the enroute chart. The current legal description for V-456 includes 
an intersection (King Salmon 053 deg. and Kenai 239 deg.) which needs 
to be removed. This action would make the route segment a straight line 
and would not affect the fixes STREW, BITOP, or COPPS on V-456.
    Jet routes, green Federal airways, and Alaskan VOR Federal airways 
are published in paragraph 2004, paragraph 6009(a), and paragraph 
6010(b), respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9F dated September 10, 1998, 
and effective September 16, 1998, which is incorporated by reference in 
14 CFR 71.1. The jet routes, green Federal airway, and Alaskan VOR 
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. 
Therefore, this proposed action: (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 Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 
1998, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-111  [Revised]

    From Nome, AK, via Unalakleet, AK; McGrath, AK; Anchorage, AK.
* * * * *

J-115  [Revised]

    From Shemya, AK, NDB; Mount Moffett, AK, NDB; Dutch Harbor, AK, 
NDB; Cold Bay, AK; King Salmon, AK; INT King Salmon 053 deg. and 
Kenai, AK, 239 deg. radials; Kenai; Anchorage, AK; Fairbanks, AK; 
Chandalar, AK, NDB; to Deadhorse, AK.
* * * * *

J-127  [Revised]

    From King Salmon, AK; to INT King Salmon 042 deg. and Anchorage, 
AK, 246 deg. radials.
* * * * *

J-501  [Revised]

    From San Marcus, CA, via Big Sur, CA; Point Reyes, CA, via Rogue 
Valley, OR; Hoquiam, WA; INT Hoquiam 354 deg. and Tatoosh, WA, 
162 deg. radials; Tatoosh; Cape Scott, BC, Canada, NDB; Sandspit, 
BC, Canada; Biorka Island, AK; Yakutat, AK; Johnstone Point, AK; 
Anchorage, AK; Sparrevohn, AK; Bethel, AK; excluding the airspace 
within Canada.
* * * * *

J-511  [Revised]

    From Dillingham, AK; Anchorage, AK; Big Lake, AK; Gulkana, AK; 
to Burwash Landing, YT, Canada, NDB, excluding the portion which 
lies over Canadian territory.
* * * * *

J-814R  [Revoked]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6009(a)--Green Federal Airways

* * * * *

Green-8  [Revised]

    From Shemya, AK, NDB; 20 AGL, Mount Moffet, NDB, AK; 20 AGL, 
Dutch Harbor, AK, NDB; 20 AGL, INT Dutch Harbor NDB 041 deg. and 
Elfee, AK, NDB 253 deg. bearings; 20 AGL, Elfee NDB; 20 AGL Saldo, 
AK, NDB; INT Saldo NDB 054 deg. and Kachemak, AK, NDB 269 deg. 
bearings; to Kachemak NDB. From Campbell Lake, AK, NDB; Glenallen, 
AK, NDB; INT Glenallen NDB 052 deg. and Nabesna, AK NDB 252 deg. 
bearings; Nabesna NDB.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(b)--Alaskan VOR Federal Airways

* * * * *

V-319  [Revised]

    From Yakutat, AK, via Johnstone Point, AK; INT Johnstone Point 
286 deg. and Anchorage, AK, 117 deg. radials; Anchorage; Sparrevohn, 
AK; Bethel, AK; Hooper Bay, AK; Nanwak, AK, NDB; to Kipnuk, AK.
* * * * *

V-453  [Revised]

    From King Salmon, AK; Dillingham, AK; INT Dillingham, AK 
308 deg. and Bethel, AK 143 deg. radials; Bethel, AK; to Unalakleet, 
AK.
* * * * *

V-456  [Revised]

    From Cold Bay, AK; King Salmon, AK; Kenai, AK; Anchorage, AK; 
Big Lake, AK; Gulkana, AK; to Northway, AK.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, April 6, 1999.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 99-9298 Filed 4-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P