[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 13, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9913-9914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3643]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 00-AAL-07]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revision of VOR Federal V-480 and Jet Route J-120; AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final Rule

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SUMMARY: This action revises Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR) Federal Airway 480 (V-480) and Jet Route 120 (J-120) in Alaska by 
adding a routinely used route segment between Mt. Moffett and St. Paul 
Island, AK. The FAA is revising these routes for the following reasons: 
The conversion of this uncharted nonregulatory route to a VOR Federal 
airway and jet route will add additional instrument flight rules (IFR) 
airway and route infrastructure in Alaska; pilots will be provided with 
minimum en route altitudes and minimum obstruction clearance altitudes 
information; to establish controlled airspace, thus eliminating some of 
the commercial IFR operations in uncontrolled airspace; and to improve 
the management of air traffic operations and thereby enhance safety.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, March 22, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, 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 October 11, 2000, the FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 71 (part 
71) to revise V-480 and J-120 (65 FR 60385). Interested parties were 
invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting 
written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. 
With the exception of editorial changes, this amendment is the same as 
that proposed in the notice.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending part 71 to revise V-480 and J-120 in Alaska. 
The revision to V-480 and J-120 will add a routinely used route segment 
between Mt. Moffett and St. Paul Island, AK. Presently, there is an 
uncharted nonregulatory route segment with the same routing as this 
airway and jet route revision. The current route is used by air carrier 
and general aviation aircraft. The FAA is revising these routes for the 
following reasons: (1) The conversion of this uncharted nonregulatory 
route to a VOR Federal airway and jet route will add additional IFR 
airway and route infrastructure in Alaska; (2) pilots would be provided 
with minimum en route altitudes and minimum obstruction clearance 
altitude information; (3) to establish controlled airspace, thus 
eliminating some of the commercial IFR operations in uncontrolled 
airspace; and (4) to 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, when promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the 
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 and Alaskan VOR Federal 
airways are published in paragraph 6010(b) of FAA Order 7400.9H dated 
September 1, 2000, and effective September 16, 2000, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet route and the Alaskan 
VOR Federal airway listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

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 7400.9H, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2000, and effective September 16, 
2000, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes

* * * * *

[[Page 9914]]

J-120 [Revised]

    From Mt. Moffett, AK, NDB via St. Paul Island, AK, NDB; Bethel, 
AK; McGrath, AK; Fairbanks, AK; Fort Yukon, AK; to the Barter 
Island, AK, NDB.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(b)--Alaskan VOR Federal Airways

* * * * *

V-480 [Revised]

    From Mt. Moffett, AK, NDB, 20 AGL via St. Paul Island, AK, NDB, 
20 AGL, Kipnuk, AK; Bethel, AK, McGrath, AK, Nenana, AK; to 
Fairbanks, AK.
* * * * *


    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 23, 2001.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 01-3643 Filed 2-12-01; 8:45 am]
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