[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 22, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36015-36016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12360]


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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


Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes eight high altitude 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 taking this action to enhance safety 
and to improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace in Alaska.

DATES: 0901 UTC, September 1, 2005.

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:

History

    On March 15, 2005, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to establish high altitude RNAV Routes in 
Alaska (70 FR 12619). Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. 
Five comments were received.
    Three commenters supported the proposal. Two other commenters 
supported the proposal but questioned the methodology used to determine 
the new routings. The comments critical of the proposal, involved 
concerns about the potential safety of the proposed routes and whether 
or not the proposed routes were up to FAA standards. The existing high 
altitude route structure has evolved over several years to connect the 
populated areas of Alaska while taking into consideration the limited 
radar, communication and navigational aid infrastructure. These 
limitations often required aircraft to file circuitous routes that 
resulted in increased costs. The proposed RNAV routes were developed to 
allow properly equipped aircraft to navigate more directly without the 
need for radar vectors from air traffic control. The new routes allow 
direct point-to-point travel or a shorter route around special use 
airspace.
    All comments were fully considered before proceeding with this 
final rule. With the exception of editorial changes, this amendment is 
the same as that proposed in the notice.

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, 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; 
Air Traffic Service 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 RNAV rule in 
the Federal Register (68 FR 24864).

The Rule

    The FAA amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 
71 by establishing 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. This action will 
enhance safety, and facilitate the more flexible and efficient use of 
the navigable airspace for en route instrument flight rules (IFR) 
operations within Alaska.
    High altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA 
Order 7400.9M dated August 30, 2004, and effective September 16, 2004, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The high altitude 
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 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.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, 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, 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 7400.9M, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 30, 2004, and 
effective September 16, 2004, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006--Area Navigation Routes

[[Page 36016]]



 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Q-6 TKA to BRW [New]
 
TKA.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 62[deg]17[min]55[sec] N., long. 150[deg]06[min]20[sec]
                                                     W.)
JOKAP.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 63[deg]54[min]46[sec] N., long. 150[deg]58[min]29[sec]
                                                     W.)
KUTDE.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 66[deg]19[min]20[sec] N., long. 152[deg]29[min]01[sec]
                                                     W.)
LACIL.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 69[deg]30[min]18[sec] N., long. 155[deg]00[min]34[sec]
                                                     W.)
BRW.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 71[deg]16[min]24[sec] N., long. 156[deg]47[min]17[sec]
                                                     W.)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Q-8 ANC to GAL [New]
 
ANC.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 61[deg]09[min]03[sec] N., long. 150[deg]12[min]24[sec]
                                                     W.)
WEBIK.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 63[deg]07[min]48[sec] N., long. 155[deg]29[min]18[sec]
                                                     W.)
GAL.........................  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 64[deg]44[min]17[sec] N., long. 156[deg]46[min]38[sec]
                                                     W.)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Q-10 ENM to ULL [New]
 
ENM.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 62[deg]47[min]00[sec] N., long. 164[deg]29[min]16[sec]
                                                     W.)
ULL.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 63[deg]41[min]32[sec] N., long. 170[deg]28[min]12[sec]
                                                     W.)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Q-12 OTZ to SCC [New]
 
OTZ.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 66[deg]53[min]08[sec] N., long. 162[deg]32[min]24[sec]
                                                     W.)
SCC.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 70[deg]11[min]57[sec] N., long. 148[deg]24[min]58[sec]
                                                     W.)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Q-14 ODK to JOH [New]
 
ODK.........................  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 57[deg]46[min]30[sec] N., long. 152[deg]20[min]23[sec]
                                                     W.)
WUXAN.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 59[deg]53[min]00[sec] N., long. 149[deg]00[min]00[sec]
                                                     W.)
JOH.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 60[deg]28[min]51[sec] N., long. 146[deg]35[min]58[sec]
                                                     W.)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Q-16 ODK to MDO [New]
 
ODK.........................  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 57[deg]46[min]30[sec] N., long. 152[deg]20[min]23[sec]
                                                     W.)
ZAXUM.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 58[deg]41[min]15[sec] N., long. 147[deg]53[min]26[sec]
                                                     W.)
MDO.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 59[deg]25[min]19[sec] N., long. 146[deg]21[min]00[sec]
                                                     W.)
Q-17 HOM to MDO [New]
 
HOM.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 59[deg]42[min]34[sec] N., long. 151[deg]27[min]24[sec]
                                                     W.)
WUXAN.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 59[deg]53[min]00[sec] N., long. 149[deg]00[min]00[sec]
                                                     W.)
MDO.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 59[deg]25[min]19[sec] N., long. 146[deg]21[min]00[sec]
                                                     W.)
Q-18 GAL to BRW [New]
 
GAL.........................  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 64[deg]44[min]17[sec] N., long. 156[deg]46[min]38[sec]
                                                     W.)
BRW.........................  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 71[deg]16[min]24[sec] N., long. 156[deg]47[min]17[sec]
                                                     W.)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
 


    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 16, 2005.
Edith V. Parish,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules.
[FR Doc. 05-12360 Filed 6-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P