[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 90 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24864-24866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11638]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

RIN 2120-AA66
[Docket No. FAA-2003-14611; Airspace Docket No. 03-AWA-4]


Establishment of Area Navigation Routes (RNAV)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Area Navigation Routes (RNAV) as part 
of the National Airspace System (NAS). The FAA is implementing these 
routes to enhance safety and to improve the efficient use of the 
navigable airspace.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, July 10, 2003.

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

    Historically, the principal means of air navigation for instrument 
flight rules (IFR) operations in the United States National Airspace 
System (NAS) has been a system of ground-based navigation aids 
(NAVAIDs) (e.g., nondirectional beacon (NDB), very high frequency 
omnidirectional range (VOR), and distance measuring equipment (DME)). 
Airways were subsequently developed according to these NAVAIDs, and 
pilots were required to fly directly toward or away from them. This 
limitation in the NAS has resulted in less-than-optimal routes, and 
contributed to the inefficient use of the airspace.
    The advent of area navigation (RNAV) in the 1960's, provided 
enhanced navigation capabilities to the pilot. Early RNAV allowed 
properly equipped aircraft to navigate via a user-defined track, rather 
than depending primarily on ground-based NAVAIDs. Early RNAV systems, 
however, still relied on signals from a ground-based NAVAID for source 
information to calculate navigational position. In the 1970's, to take 
advantage of this improved navigation capability, the FAA began to 
publish a series of routes for use by RNAV-equipped aircraft. A 
nationwide system of high-altitude RNAV routes was established 
consisting of approximately 156 route segments.
    These fixed routes, however, still depended on information from 
ground-based NAVAIDs. The FAA later determined that most aircraft using 
RNAV in the en route system, were doing so on a random basis using 
inertial navigation systems (INS) (with little use being made of the 
fixed high altitude RNAV route structure). Operators were using RNAV 
from point to point, not with the high-altitude RNAV route structure 
designed and published by the FAA. This minimal use of the charted RNAV 
routes proved insufficient to justify their retention on a cost-benefit 
basis. As a result, in January 1983, the FAA revoked all high altitude 
RNAV routes in the conterminous United States (46 FR 848). The RNAV 
routes in Alaska were retained and remain in use today because of the 
scarcity of ground-based navigational aids in that region.
    The technology that evolved over the past 40 years gave avionics 
systems increased positional accuracy, which provided users with a 
greater ability to fly direct routes between any two points. In recent 
years, satellite navigation using the Global Positioning System (GPS) 
has provided even greater flexibility in defining routes, establishing 
instrument procedures, and designing airspace. When GPS is combined 
with existing RNAV system capabilities, continuous course guidance is 
available over longer routes than is possible with ground-based 
NAVAIDs. As a result of these technological advances, the FAA has 
implemented a number of RNAV routes on a test basis for use by air 
carriers operating suitably equipped aircraft in the northeast, 
southeast, and southwest regions of the United States. The results so 
far have demonstrated the potential of these RNAV routes, when used 
with newer navigation reference sources such as GPS.
    As part of the on going National Airspace Redesign, the FAA has 
implemented the High Altitude Redesign (HAR) Program. This specific 
effort looks at how best to obtain maximum system efficiency by 
introducing advanced RNAV routes for use by suitably equipped aircraft. 
Under the first phase of HAR, 11 RNAV routes are being established in 
the high altitude structure. These new routes will allow users to begin 
achieving the economic benefits of flying their preferred routes and 
altitudes with fewer routing restrictions.

Related Rulemaking

    On April 8, 2003, the FAA published the Designation of Class A, B, 
C, D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting 
Points in the Federal Register [68 FR 16943]. This rule adopted certain 
amendments proposed in Notice No. 02-20, Area Navigation (RNAV) and 
Miscellaneous Amendments. This action revised and adopted several 
definitions in FAA regulations, including Air Traffic Service routes, 
to be in concert with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 
definitions; and reorganized the structure of FAA regulations 
concerning the designation of class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas; 
airways; routes, and reporting points.
    The U.S. and Canada have been assigned the alphanumeric ``Q'' as a 
designator for RNAV routes (U.S. 1-499/Canada 500-999). RNAV routes 
between, and within, Canada and the U.S. will use the ``Q'' designator.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 (part 71) by establishing RNAV routes as part of the NAS. These 
routes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable 
airspace, and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight 
rules (IFR) within the NAS.
    The complete regulatory criteria on each RNAV route is contained in 
the appropriate FAA Form 8260. The RNAV routes described in this rule 
will also be published in a new paragraph (paragraph 2006) of FAA Order 
7400.9K dated August 30, 2002, effective

[[Page 24865]]

September 16, 2002, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. 
The RNAV routes listed in this document will 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 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.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1D, Policies and Procedures for Considering 
Environmental Impacts. This airspace action is not expected to cause 
any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary 
circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental 
assessment.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9K, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 30, 2002, and effective September 16, 
2002, is amended as follows:


                                                                            Paragraph 2006(a)--Area Navigation Routes
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                                                                                         * * * * * * *
                                       Q-1 ELMAA to PYE [New]
 
ELMAA.......................  Fix............  (Lat. 47[deg]08'53'' N., long. 123[deg]24'35'' W.)
ERAVE.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 46[deg]54'35'' N., long. 123[deg]24'06'' W.)
EASON.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 44[deg]30'00'' N., long. 123[deg]19'44'' W.)
EBINY.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 42[deg]28'50'' N., long. 123[deg]15'01'' W.)
ENVIE.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 41[deg]20'09'' N., long. 123[deg]12'32'' W.)
ETCHY.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 39[deg]05'28'' N., long. 123[deg]08'05'' W.)
PYE.........................  VOR............  (Lat. 38[deg]04'47'' N., long. 122[deg]52'04'' W.)
 
                                       Q-3 FEPOT to PYE [New]
 
FEPOT.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 47[deg]04'51'' N., long. 123[deg]13'08'' W.)
FAMUK.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 44[deg]30'00'' N., long. 123[deg]08'09'' W.)
FRFLY.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 42[deg]28'50'' N., long. 123[deg]03'57'' W.)
FINER.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 41[deg]20'09'' N., long. 123[deg]01'45'' W.)
FOWND.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 39[deg]05'46'' N., long. 122[deg]57'48'' W.)
PYE.........................  VOR............  (Lat. 38[deg]04'47'' N., long. 122[deg]52'04'' W.)
 
                                      Q-5 HAROB to STIKM [New]
 
HAROB.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 47[deg]14'36'' N., long. 123[deg]02'27'' W.)
HISKU.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 44[deg]30'00'' N., long. 122[deg]56'39'' W.)
HARPR.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 42[deg]28'50'' N., long. 122[deg]53'02'' W.)
HOMEG.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 41[deg]20'09'' N., long. 122[deg]51'05'' W.)
HUPTU.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 39[deg]30'00'' N., long. 122[deg]44'39'' W.)
STIKM.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 38[deg]32'00'' N., long. 122[deg]39'00'' W.)
 
                                       Q-7 JINMO to AVE [New]
 
JINMO.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 46[deg]22'17'' N., long. 122[deg]07'31'' W.)
JOGEN.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 44[deg]19'44'' N., long. 121[deg]39'04'' W.)
JUNEJ.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 41[deg]00'06'' N., long. 120[deg]55'06'' W.)
JAGWA.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 37[deg]19'49'' N., long. 120[deg]38'18'' W.)
AVE.........................  VORTAC.........  (Lat. 35[deg]38'49'' N., long. 119[deg]58'43'' W.)
 
                                      Q-9 SUMMA to DERBB [New]
 
SUMMA.......................  Fix............  (Lat. 46[deg]37'04'' N., long. 121[deg]59'18'' W.)
SMIGE.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 43[deg]50'46'' N., long. 121[deg]20'45'' W.)
SUNBE.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 41[deg]00'14'' N., long. 120[deg]44'32'' W.)
REBRG.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 35[deg]58'53'' N., long. 119[deg]36'53'' W.)
DERBB.......................  Fix............  (Lat. 35[deg]15'21'' N., long. 119[deg]38'29'' W.)
 
                                       Q-11 PAAGE to LAX [New]
 
PAAGE.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 46[deg]25'22'' N., long. 121[deg]44'44'' W.)
PAWLI.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 43[deg]10'48'' N., long. 120[deg]55'50'' W.)
PITVE.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 41[deg]00'14'' N., long. 120[deg]24'57'' W.)
PUSHH.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 38[deg]18'53'' N., long. 119[deg]36'40'' W.)
LAX.........................  VORTAC.........  (Lat. 33[deg]55'59'' N., long. 118[deg]25'55'' W.)
 

[[Page 24866]]

 
                                      Q-13 PAWLI to LIDAT [New]
 
PAWLI.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 43[deg]10'48'' N., long. 120[deg]55'50'' W.)
RUFUS.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 41[deg]26'00'' N., long. 120[deg]00'00'' W.)
LOMIA.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 39[deg]13'12'' N., long. 119[deg]06'23'' W.)
LIDAT.......................  Fix............  (Lat. 37[deg]25'49'' N., long. 117[deg]16'41'' W.)
 
                                     Q-501 SOBME to VIXIS [New]
 
SOBME.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 44[deg]58'24'' N., long. 97[deg]40'44'' W.)
GEP.........................  VORTAC.........  (Lat. 45[deg]08'45'' N., long. 93[deg]22'24'' W.)
VIXIS.......................  Fix............  (Lat. 44[deg]20'07'' N., long. 82[deg]17'19'' W.)
                                excluding the portion within Canada.
 
                                     Q-502 SOBME to KENPA [New]
 
SOBME.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 44[deg]58'24'' N., long. 97[deg]40'44'' W.)
GEP.........................  VORTAC.........  (Lat. 45[deg]08'45'' N., long. 93[deg]22'24'' W.)
KENPA.......................  Fix............  (Lat. 44[deg]47'42'' N., long. 82[deg]23'36'' W.)
                                excluding the portion within Canada.
 
                                     Q-504 HEMDI to NOTAP [New]
 
HEMDI.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 45[deg]19'50'' N., long. 97[deg]37'46'' W.)
CESNA.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 45[deg]52'14'' N., long. 92[deg]10'59'' W.)
NOTAP.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 45[deg]12'30'' N., long. 82[deg]28'30'' W.)
                                excluding the portion within Canada.
 
                                     Q-505 HEMDI to OMAGA [New]
 
HEMDI.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 45[deg]19'50'' N., long. 97[deg]37'46'' W.)
CESNA.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 45[deg]52'14'' N., long. 92[deg]10'59'' W.)
RIMBE.......................  WP.............  (Lat. 46[deg]02'04'' N., long. 88[deg]04'50'' W.)
OMAGA.......................  Fix............  (Lat. 46[deg]03'04'' N., long. 84[deg]00'00'' W.)
                                excluding the portion within Canada.
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    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2003.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 03-11638 Filed 5-8-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P