[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 131 (Wednesday, July 9, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40765-40766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17361]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA 2002-13849; Airspace Docket No. 02-ASO-24]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revision of VOR Federal Airways in the Vicinity of Tuscaloosa, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action revises the legal descriptions of four Very High 
Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways that include the 
Tuscaloosa, AL, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air 
Navigation (VORTAC) facility in their route structures. Currently, the 
Tuscaloosa VORTAC and the Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport share the same 
name and location identifier. The fact that the VORTAC and the airport 
are not co-located has led to confusion among users. To eliminate this 
confusion, the Tuscaloosa VORTAC will be renamed ``Crimson VORTAC,'' 
and will be assigned a new location identifier ``LDK.'' This rule 
revises the descriptions of VOR Federal Airways V-18, V-66, V-245, and 
V-417 to reflect the name change of the VORTAC.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, September 4, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, 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

    The Tuscaloosa VORTAC is located 4.4 nautical miles northeast of 
the Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport, Tuscaloosa, AL. The airport and the 
VORTAC currently share the same name and three-letter location 
identifier (i.e., TCL). The FAA's policy regarding the naming of 
navigation aids (NAVAID) states that a ``NAVAID with the same name as 
the associated airport should be located on that airport. When the 
retention of the airport name at an off-airport NAVAID could lead to a 
potentially confusing situation, the NAVAID name should be changed.'' 
There have been instances where the shared name/location identifier at 
Tuscaloosa has resulted in confusion in pilot/air traffic controller 
communications. Since the airport and the VORTAC are both located in an 
area lacking air traffic control radar coverage at low altitudes, 
confusion over aircraft clearance limits and/or routing could lead to a 
situation that would compromise aviation safety. To eliminate future 
confusion and enhance safety, the FAA has determined that the 
Tuscaloosa VORTAC name and identifier should be changed.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by revising the legal 
descriptions of VOR Federal Airways V-18, V-66, V-245,

[[Page 40766]]

and V-417, which include the Tuscaloosa, AL, VORTAC as part of their 
route structures. Currently, the Tuscaloosa VORTAC and the Tuscaloosa 
Municipal Airport share the same name and location identifier. The fact 
that the VORTAC and the airport are not co-located has led to confusion 
among users and presents a potential safety problem. In order to 
alleviate this problem, the ``Tuscaloosa VORTAC'' is being renamed the 
``Crimson VORTAC'' and its location identifier is being changed to 
``LDK.'' This rulemaking action is being taken to change all references 
in the affected VOR Federal airway route descriptions that read 
``Tuscaloosa, AL'' to read ``Crimson, AL.'' This action makes an 
additional minor correction to the legal description for V-66 by adding 
the State abbreviation ``TX'' following the first use of the word 
``Hudspeth.'' This abbreviation was inadvertently omitted in the 
previous legal description.
    Section 553(b) permits an agency for good cause to forego notice 
and comment rulemaking when such action would be impracticable, 
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. In this instance, the 
FAA finds that this action is needed to improve safety and eliminate 
confusion. Thus, I find that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b) are impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
    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 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.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a), of FAA 
Order 7400.9K, dated August 30, 2002, and effective September 16, 2002, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal 
airways listed in this document will be published subsequently in the 
Order.

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 Amendment

0
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration 
amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E, AIRSPACE AREAS; 
AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE 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 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways

* * * * *

V-18 [Revised]

    From Guthrie, TX, via INT Guthrie 156[deg] and Millsap, TX, 
274[deg] radials; Millsap; Glen Rose, TX; Cedar Creek, TX; Quitman, 
TX; Belcher, LA; Monroe, LA; Jackson, MS; Meridian, MS; Crimson, AL; 
Vulcan, AL; Talladega, AL; Atlanta, GA; Colliers, SC; Charleston, 
SC.
* * * * *

V-66 [Revised]

    From Mission Bay, CA; Imperial, CA; 13 miles, 24 miles, 25 MSL; 
Bard, AZ; 12 miles, 35 MSL; INT Bard 089[deg] and Gila Bend, AZ, 
261[deg] radials; 46 miles, 35 MSL; Gila Bend; Tucson, AZ, 7 miles 
wide (3 miles south and 4 miles north of centerline); Douglas, AZ; 
INT Douglas 064[deg] and Columbus, NM, 277[deg] radials; Columbus; 
El Paso, TX; 6 miles wide; INT El Paso 109[deg] and Hudspeth, TX, 
287[deg] radials; 6 miles wide; Hudspeth; Pecos, TX; Midland, TX; 
INT Midland 083[deg] and Abilene, TX, 252[deg] radials; Abilene; to 
Millsap, TX. From Crimson, AL, Brookwood, AL; LaGrange, GA; INT 
LaGrange 120[deg] and Columbus, GA, 068[deg] radials; INT Columbus 
068[deg] and Athens, GA, 195[deg] radials; Athens; Greenwood, SC; 
Sandhills, NC; Raleigh-Durham, NC; Franklin, VA, excluding the 
airspace above 13,000 feet MSL from the INT of Tucson, AZ, 122[deg] 
and Cochise, AZ, 257[deg] radials to the INT of Douglas, AZ, 
064[deg] and Columbus, NM, 277[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-245 [Revised]

    From Alexandria, LA, via Natchez, MS; Jackson, MS; Bigbee, MS; 
INT Bigbee 082[deg] and Crimson, AL, 304[deg] radials; to Crimson.
* * * * *

V-417 [Revised]

    From Monroe, LA, via INT Monroe 105[deg] and Jackson, MS, 
256[deg] radials; Jackson; INT Jackson 111[deg] and Meridian, MS, 
262[deg] radials; Meridian; Crimson, AL; Vulcan, AL; Rome, GA; INT 
Rome 060[deg] and Electric City, SC, 274[deg] radials; INT Electric 
City 274[deg] and Athens, GA, 340[deg] radials; Athens; Colliers, 
SC; Allendale, SC; to Charleston, SC.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 2, 2003.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 03-17361 Filed 7-8-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U