[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 228 (Monday, November 29, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66565-66566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30889]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98-AAL-14]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of VOR Federal Airways; AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes three Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways located in the State of 
Alaska (AK). This action will improve the management of air traffic 
operations in the State of Alaska and enhance safety.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, February 24, 2000.

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:

Background

    On January 14, 1999, the FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 71 (part 
71) to establish four VOR Federal airways, V-603, V-605, V-617, and V-
621 located in the State of Alaska (64 FR 2453). Interested parties 
were invited to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written 
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. 
Subsequent to the Notice, a flight inspection of the four proposed 
Victor Airways was performed. Three of the airways met the flight 
inspection requirements (V-603, V-617, and V-621). However, the 
proposed airway V-605, Biorka to Middleton, will only pass flight 
inspection at flight level 240 and higher, therefore the proposed V-605 
was rescinded due to insufficient navigational aid coverage below 
flight level 180. Except for editorial changes, and the deletion of V-
605, this amendment is the same as that proposed in the notice.

[[Page 66566]]

    Alaskan VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(b) of 
FAA Order 7400.9G, dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 
1999, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Alaskan 
VOR Federal airways listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This action amends part 71 by establishing three VOR Federal 
airways, V-603, V-617, and V-621 located in the State of Alaska.
    Prior to this action there were a number of uncharted nonregulatory 
routes that used the same routings as these VOR Federal airways. Those 
nonregulatory routings were used daily by air carrier and general 
aviation aircraft. The FAA is taking this action to establish these 
three VOR Federal airways for the following reasons: (1) The conversion 
of these uncharted nonregulatory routes to VOR Federal airways will add 
to the instrument flight rules (IFR) airway and route infrastructure in 
Alaska; (2) pilots will be provided with minimum en route altitudes and 
minimum obstruction clearance altitudes information; (3) this amendment 
will establish controlled airspace, thus eliminating some of the 
commercial IFR operations in uncontrolled airspace; and (4) addition of 
these routes will improve the management of air traffic operations and 
thereby enhance safety.
    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 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) 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 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--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 7400.9G, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 
1999, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(b)--Alaskan VOR Federal Airways

* * * * *

V-603 [New]

    From Elfee, AK, NDB, 20 AGL; to Dillingham, AK.
* * * * *

V-617 [New]

    From Homer, AK; to Johnstone Point, AK.
* * * * *

V-621 [New]

    From Barrow, AK, VOR; to Atqasuk, AK, NDB.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 22, 1999.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 99-30889 Filed 11-26-99; 8:45 am]
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