[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 15, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12619-12621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5094]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20413; Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL-03]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Alaska

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish eight area navigation (RNAV) 
routes in Alaska to support the Alaskan Region's Capstone Program. The 
Capstone Program is a Safety Program which seeks near term safety and 
efficiency gains by accelerating the implementation and use of modern 
technology. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance safety and to 
improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace in Alaska.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 29, 2005.

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 FAA Docket 
No. FAA-2005-20413 and Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL-03, at the beginning 
of your comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules, 
Office of System Operations and Safety, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2005-20413 and Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL-03) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2005-20413 and Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL-03.'' 
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 action may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public 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's

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents 
can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov, 
or the Federal Register's Web page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An 
informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at 
the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue 14, Anchorage, AK 99513.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRM's. should contact 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.

[[Page 12620]]

History

    The Capstone program began in Southeast Alaska in October 2001, as 
part of the on-going National Airspace Redesign (NAR). The Capstone 
Program is an accelerated effort to improve aviation safety and 
efficiency through the installation of government-furnished Global 
Positioning System (GPS)-based avionics and data link communications 
suites in commercial aircraft. Compatible ground systems, equipment, 
and services will also be provided. The name ``Capstone'' is derived 
from the program's effect of drawing and holding together concepts and 
recommendations contained in reports from the Radio Technical 
Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA), the National Transportation Safety 
Board (NTSB), the Mitre Corporation's Center for Advanced Aviation 
System Development (CAASD), and Alaskan aviation industry 
representatives. In addition to the avionics suites, the Capstone 
Program will deploy a ground infrastructure for weather observation, 
data link communications, surveillance, and Flight Information Services 
(FIS) to improve safety and enable eventual implementation of new 
procedures. This specific effort focuses on developing and implementing 
navigation structure and operating method improvements to allow more 
flexible and efficient en route operations in the Alaska airspace 
environment.
    In support of this program, the FAA is establishing RNAV routes to 
provide greater freedom to properly equipped users, and to achieve the 
safety and economic benefits of flying user selected non-restrictive 
routings. The new RNAV routes will be identified by the letter prefix 
``Q,'' followed by a number consisting of one to three digits. The 
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has allocated the 
``Q'' prefix, along with the number block 01 through 500, for use by 
the U.S. for designating domestic RNAV routes.

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 rule in the Federal Register (68 FR 16943). This rule adopted 
certain amendments proposed in Notice No. 02-20, Area Navigation (RNAV) 
and Miscellaneous Amendments. The rule adopted and revised several 
definitions in FAA regulations, including Air Traffic Service Routes, 
to be in concert with 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 purpose of 
the rule was to facilitate the establishment of RNAV routes in the NAS 
for use by aircraft with advanced navigation system capabilities.
    On May 9, 2003, the FAA published the Establishment of Area 
Navigation Routes (RNAV) rule in the Federal Register (68 FR 24864).

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 (part 71) to establish eight RNAV routes 
in Alaska, within the airspace assigned to the Anchorage Air Route 
Control Center (ARTCC). These routes were developed as part of the 
Capstone Program. They are being proposed to enhance safety, and to 
facilitate the more flexible and efficient use of the navigable 
airspace for en route instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within 
the state of Alaska.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this proposed 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 proposed 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.

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, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR 
TRAFFIC SERVICE 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 FAA Order 
7400.9M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 30, 
2004, and effective September 16, 2004, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006 Area navigation routes.

* * * * *

Q-6 TKA to BRW [New]
 
TKA.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 62[deg]17'55'' N., long. 150[deg]06'20'' W.)
JOKAP.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 63[deg]54'46'' N., long. 150[deg]58'29'' W.)
KUTDE.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 66[deg]19'20'' N., long. 152[deg]29'01'' W.)
LACIL.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 69[deg]30'18'' N., long. 155[deg]00'34'' W.)
BRW.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 71[deg]16'24'' N., long. 156[deg]47'17'' W.)
 
                                                 * * * * * * *
Q-8 ANC to GAL [New]
 
ANC.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 61[deg]09'03'' N., long. 150[deg]12'24'' W.)
WEBIK.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 63[deg]07'48'' N., long. 155[deg]29'18'' W.)
GAL.........................  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 64[deg]44'17'' N., long. 156[deg]46'38'' W.)
 
                                                 * * * * * * *
Q-10 ENM to ULL [New]
 
ENM.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 62[deg]47'00'' N., long. 164[deg]29'16'' W.)
ULL.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 63[deg]41'32'' N., long. 170[deg]28'12'' W.)
 
                                                 * * * * * * *
Q-12 OTZ to SCC [New]
 

[[Page 12621]]

 
OTZ.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 66[deg]53'08'' N., long. 162[deg]32'24'' W.)
SCC.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 70[deg]11'57'' N., long. 148[deg]24'58'' W.)
 
                                                 * * * * * * *
Q-14 ODK to JOH [New]
 
ODK.........................  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 57[deg]46'30'' N., long. 152[deg]20'23'' W.)
WUXAN.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 59[deg]53'00'' N., long. 149[deg]00'00'' W.)
JOH.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 60[deg]28'51'' N., long. 146[deg]35'58'' W.)
 
                                                 * * * * * * *
Q-16 ODK to MDO [New]
 
ODK.........................  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 57[deg]46'30'' N., long. 152[deg]20'23'' W.)
ZAXUM.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 58[deg]41'15'' N., long. 147[deg]53'26'' W.)
MDO.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 59[deg]25'19'' N., long. 146[deg]21'00'' W.)
 
                                                 * * * * * * *
Q-17 HOM to MDO [New]
 
HOM.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 59[deg]42'34'' N., long. 151[deg]27'24'' W.)
WUXAN.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 59[deg]53'00'' N., long. 149[deg]00'00'' W.)
MDO.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 59[deg]25'19'' N., long. 146[deg]21'00'' W.)
 
                                                 * * * * * * *
Q-18 GAL to BRW [New]
 
GAL.........................  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 64[deg]44'17'' N., long. 156[deg]46'38'' W.)
BRW.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 71[deg]16'24'' N., long. 156[deg]47'17'' W.)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
 


    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 9, 2005.
Edith V. Parish,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules.
[FR Doc. 05-5094 Filed 3-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P