[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 131 (Wednesday, July 9, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40763-40764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17362]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2003-15363; Airspace Docket No. 03-AEA-3]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revision of Jet Route J-147

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revises Jet Route 147 (J-147) by realigning the 
segment of the route that extends from the Beckley,

[[Page 40764]]

WV, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation 
(VORTAC) to the RHODE Intersection. Specifically, the FAA is realigning 
J-147 from the Beckley, WV, VORTAC to the Greenbrier, WV, VORTAC, then 
to the RHODE Intersection. The FAA is taking this action because the 
current radial from the Beckley VORTAC to the RHODE Intersection is 
unusable for navigation. This change will restore use of J-147 and 
enhance the management of air traffic in the affected area.

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

    Aircraft navigating on J-147 currently use the 076[deg] radial of 
the Beckley, WV, VORTAC for the route segment between Beckley VORTAC 
and the RHODE Intersection. A flight inspection has revealed that the 
076[deg] radial has become unusable for navigation. The FAA issued a 
Notice to Airmen informing aviation users that this segment of J-147 is 
unusable. The FAA is realigning J-147 in order to by-pass the unusable 
radial and restore the route to service.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by revising a segment of J-147 
between the Beckley VORTAC and the RHODE Intersection. Due to 
limitations of the Beckley VORTAC, the radial between Beckley and RHODE 
Intersection is unusable for navigation. Specifically, this action 
realigns J-147 from Beckley, WV, VORTAC to Greenbrier, WV, VORTAC, then 
to RHODE Intersection. This alignment will bypass the unusable Beckley 
radials and permit restoration of the full length of J-147 for 
navigation. This action will enhance the management of air traffic in 
the affected area. A satisfactory flight inspection of the realigned 
route segment has been completed.
    Section 553(b) permits the agency to forego notice and comment 
rulemaking when the agency finds that such notice would be 
impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. 5 
U.S.C. 553(b). In this instance, the full length of J-147 is currently 
unusable, thus adopting this change by final rule restores J-147 to use 
in its entirety. This enhances safety and the management of the 
airspace system. Thus notice and comment in this instance is 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.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 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 jet route 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).

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, 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 FAA Order 7400.9K, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 30, 2002, and 
effective September 16, 2002, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-147 [Revised]

    From Beckley, WV; Greenbrier, WV; INT Greenbrier 064[deg] and 
Casanova, VA, 253[deg] radials; Casanova.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 2, 2003.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 03-17362 Filed 7-8-03; 8:45 am]
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