[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56250-56251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28001]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA 2001-10666; Airspace Docket No. ASD 01-ASW-12]


Proposed Revision of Jet Route

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes to revise that segment of Jet Route 180 
(J-180) between the Daisetta, TX, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional 
Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Little Rock, AR, VORTAC 
by moving the route to the east over the new Sawmill, LA, VORTAC. The 
FAA is proposing this action to enhance aviation safety and the 
management of the aircraft operations in the Texas area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 24, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the Docket Management 
System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify the docket 
numbers FAA-2001-10666/Airspace Docket No. ASD 01-ASW-12 at the 
beginning of your comments.
    You may also submit comments through the Internet to http://dms.dot.gov. You may review the public docket containing the proposal, 
any comments received, and any final disposition in person in the 
Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Dockets Office (telephone 1-800-647-5527) 
is on the plaza level of the NASSIF Building at the Department of 
Transportation at the above address.
    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: Steve Rohring, 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:

[[Page 56251]]

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 both docket numbers 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 Docket Nos. FAA 2001-10666/
Airspace Docket No. ASD 01-ASW-12.'' 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

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
    Additionally, any person may obtain a copy of this notice 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 both docket numbers 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

    The FAA is redesigning the nation's airspace to reduce the volume 
of air traffic operations in certain congested areas commonly referred 
to as ``choke-points.'' As part of this effort, the FAA believes that 
revising the affected segment of J-180 to reroute it over the new 
Sawmill, LA, VORTAC will alleviate air traffic congestion in specific 
``choke-point'' areas. The FAA is therefore proposing this action to 
enhance air safety and the expeditious movement of aircraft through the 
area.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to revise a 
segment of J-180 between the Daisetta, TX, VORTAC and the Little Rock, 
AR, VORTAC by moving the route eastward over the new Sawmill, LA, 
VORTAC. This action is necessary to support the national airspace 
redesign project to reduce air traffic congestion in identified choke-
point'' areas.
    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.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order 7400.9J 
dated August 31, 2001, and effective September 16, 2001, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet route listed in this 
document would be published subsequently in the Order.

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 7400.9J, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 31, 2001, and effective September 16, 
2001, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes
* * * * *
J-180  [Revised]

    From Humble, TX; Daisetta, TX; Sawmill, LA; Little Rock, AR.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 1, 2001.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 01-28001 Filed 11-6-01; 8:45 am]
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